SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — When the Schaumburg Boomers take the field for the first time on May 25, 2012, Chicagoland’s newest professional franchise will do so on a brand-new playing surface. 

With work already underway, the Boomers and the Schaumburg Park District commissioned Muellermist, Inc. and Chicago White Sox Head Groundskeeper Roger Bossard aka “the Sodfather” to install a brand-new playing surface at the Schaumburg Baseball Stadium, the home of the Boomers for 2012 and beyond.

“We are excited to have the Boomers representing Schaumburg,” Sharon DiMaria, the President of the Schaumburg Park District’s Board of Commissioners said. “They will bring quality baseball experiences to fans and families this spring.”

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PHOTO COLLECTION FROM THE NEW FIELD INSTALLATION ON FLICKR

“It is great to have baseball this close to coming back to Schaumburg,” said Schaumburg Village President Al Larson. “This certainly is a step closer and we cannot wait for Opening Day on May 25th.”

Bossard has 12 big league fields in his portfolio including playing surfaces for both Chicago Major League clubs and has also installed “a couple hundred” fields in his lifetime. “Over the years there has been an organic buildup in the plant that is literally two inches thick. We’re taking all the sod and organic off, to get right to the sand bed cavity layer which will give it total drainage,” Bossard said. "We’re redoing the infield, all the mounds, the warning track, the outfield, home plate. We’re literally bringing it up to MLB specs.”

Bossard, keeping with the family tradition, is responsible for maintaining the highly regarded playing surface at the home of the White Sox, U.S. Cellular Field and will enter his 46th season with the Sox in 2012. Bossard’s father, Gene, preceded him with the Sox after being named the youngest Head Groundskeeper (a job he held from 1940-1983) in the big leagues at the age of 22, and his grandfather, Emil, managed the playing surface for the Cleveland Indians from 1932-68. The Bossard family combined has over 250 years of groundskeeping experience in the Major Leagues. 

“Being able to work with a man of Roger’s talents and create a world-class playing surface is just the first step in bringing the very best in baseball to Schaumburg,” President and General Manager of the Boomers Andy Viano said. “The commitment shown by the Schaumburg Park District and the Village of Schaumburg to give the very best to their hometown team and ballpark should make Boomers fans as excited as we are for our inaugural season!”

Muellermist Irrigation Company was founded in 1928 and later incorporated in 1932 as an Illinois corporation. Muellermist is primarily engaged in a number of business activities including the installation and maintenance of underground sprinkling systems. For more information on Muellermist, visit www.muellermist.com or contact them directly at 708.344.8680.

The Schaumburg Boomers first regular season contest on the new playing surface is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 25 against the Florence Freedom. Season Tickets and Boomer Bundles are on sale now by calling the Boomers front office at 847.461.FOWL (3695), and for more information on everything Boomers Baseball check out www.boomersbaseball.com.