SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — After a five-year collegiate career plagued with injuries, Blake Helm figured it was time to call it quits. A few failed tryouts later and with his body aching, he grew disillusioned with baseball and joined the United States Air Force in 2009. Regaining his passion for the game of baseball while in the military, Blake Helm agreed to terms with the Schaumburg Boomers, it was announced today. 

“I couldn’t be happier to have the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream here in Schaumburg,” Helm says, “Things couldn’t have worked out more perfectly.” 

The road to Schaumburg certainly has not been smooth for Helm, but he is thrilled to finally have his shot and determined to make the most of it. Thanks to a newly adopted Frontier League rule granting players who have served on active military duty an exemption to the age limit of one year for each year of active duty that was served, the 28-year-old Helm will have the opportunity to wear a Boomers uniform this summer.

Helm, 28, suffered a series of season-ending injuries during his five-year collegiate career. A graduate of Springfield High School in Springfield, Ill., Helm began his college career at nearby Lincoln Land Community College, but before he could play in his first collegiate game, was forced to undergo season-ending surgery to remove a tumor on the top of his femur. After working his way back, he began his redshirt freshman year by popping a tendon in his right hand, once again ending his season before it began. Sophomore year was like a recurring nightmare, as the same injury sidelined Helm yet again, requiring a second surgery on the same tendon. 

After transferring to Murray State University for a fresh start, Helm seemed poised to finally have a breakout season. However, fate once again intervened, and Helm broke a bone in his hand shortly after the season began. By his senior year, Helm was discouraged, beaten down, in constant pain—but determined to persevere. In yet another cruel twist of fate, Helm separated his left shoulder, ending his both season and his college career.

Disillusioned with the game he once loved, Helm hung it up. He wanted nothing to do with the sport that had let him down—giving away all of his equipment and refusing to even watch baseball on T.V. Seeing numerous previous teammates getting their shot in the minor leagues, Helm vowed to put baseball behind him and move forward with his life.

Helm joined the United States Air Force as a Firefighter in 2009, stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base outside of Kansas City. Helm served from 2009 until January of 2013, and it was while serving his country that his passion for the American pastime was reignited.  During a game of whiffle ball, Helm discovered that his love for the game had not diminished—nor had his skills. Shortly after, Helm took batting practice with some buddies and was surprised to realize that he still had it.  He felt the game coming back to him so he joined an adult men’s league. He did well enough there to catch on with the US Military All-Star Team's "Red, White and Blue Tour" last season, and from there, he was back. 

Since completing his tour of Active Duty in January 2013, Helm has been training harder than ever to earn his shot with the Boomers. He vows, “no one is going to play harder than me.” Relishing the opportunity to finally put on a professional baseball uniform, Helm is determined to enjoy every minute of the opportunity and looks to contend for a spot on the Boomers Opening Day roster, when they take on the Windy City ThunderBolts in Schaumburg on Thursday, May 16 at 6:30 pm. 

Tickets for the sophomore season of Boomers Baseball are on sale now over the phone at 847.461.3695, online at www.boomersbaseball.com, or in person at the Boomers Stadium Box Office.