Some Boomers players 'retire' to Friendship Village after games

While staying with local host families is the norm for Schaumburg Boomers players, this is the seventh summer in which a few have gotten to be honorary residents of the Friendship Village of Schaumburg senior community.

Boomers General Manager Michael Larson said the players stay in available vacant furnished units, but interact with other members of the community there including for meals. It's tended to be a highly sought accommodation that most often goes to the team's most experienced players.

Enjoying the amenities of Friendship Village this summer are pitcher Will Stillman from North Carolina and infielders Collin Ferguson of California and Kenny Towns of Virginia.

"The residents of Friendship Village experience the energy and excitement of the young players, while the players are fulfilling their lifelong dream of playing professional baseball," said Patricia Mash, vice president of planning and marketing for Friendship Senior Options, Friendship Village's parent organization. "Since we first started this arrangement in 2012, it's been a great success and something the residents eagerly anticipate each year."

Schaumburg Village Manager Brian Townsend said the residency restrictions at Friendship Village always have been self-imposed, rather than a matter of village zoning. The community is well within its rights to offer temporary accommodations to the Boomers players, he added.