BOOMERS ANNOUNCE 2016 COACHING STAFF

 Schaumburg Boomers manager Jamie Bennett has made some bold moves to bolster the Boomers roster this off-season and his coaching staff was not neglected in the process.

Pat O’Sullivan, the reigning Frontier League Coach of the Year with the Southern Illinois Miners, joins Bennett’s coaching cabinet as the Boomers’ hitting coach in 2016. After coming to Southern Illinois from Rockford last year, O’Sullivan helped guide the Miners to a .270 team batting average that ranked third in the Frontier League while his troops were also top-five in the league in runs scored.

 “We are very excited to announce Pat O'Sullivan as our new hitting coach,” said Bennett.  “Aside from having a wealth of knowledge and an outstanding track record... He is one of the greatest guys I have had the pleasure of knowing.”

 With the addition of O’Sullivan, Cam Roth, an all-star pitcher with the Boomers in 2012, will transition from hitting coach to pitching coach in 2016, his third season on Bennett’s staff.  T.J. Nall will return in a new role as bench coach in 2016, sitting alongside Bennett for their fourth season together in Schaumburg.  Nall had served as the Boomers’ pitching coach the past three seasons.

 Derek Shomon, returning for his fifth season in Schaumburg as strength and conditioning coach, and assistant coach Bill Fratto complete Bennett’s veteran staff.

 “I couldn't ask for a better coaching staff than the guys we have with us this season. All of our coaches from last season will be back and have a combined total of 14 years with the Boomers. They are a huge reason for the success we have had here in the past.” said Bennett. “I look forward to the chemistry we will have in the coaches office as well as with the players this season. We will all be coming in with high expectations.”

 O’Sullivan, 39, brings an extensive hitting background to the Boomers organization. When he retired as a player at the end of the 2010 season, he was 13th on the active minor league home run list with 200. Originally drafted in the 34th round of the 1999 MLB First-Year Player Draft, the former New York Mets and Baltimore Orioles farmhand finished his career with an exceptional .317 average over 12 professional seasons. Over six Triple-A seasons he hit .322 with 90 home runs. “Sully” also hit 20 home runs in five straight seasons from 2004-2008.

 The Boomers also have a new athletic trainer on staff as Tom Cassens joins the organization from The Chicago Institute for Health & Wellness, the Boomers’ new Official Physical Therapy partner.