Lemont Man Selects Winning Name for New Minor League Baseball Team

A Lemont man could be responsible for naming a new minor league baseball team when it makes its debut next spring.

Steve Larek was announced Tuesday as the grand prize winner of Schaumburg's "Name the Team Contest," which ran June 21 through July 29.

According to CBS 2 Chicago, a new baseball team is set to make its debut at Alexian Field in Schaumburg next spring. The team will replace the Flyers, which were evicted for owing more than $900,000 in back rent.

To mark the new team's arrival, owners held a contest that invited locals to submit suggestions for names.

More than 1,000 individuals submitted entries, but the selection committee awarded first place to Larek, who proposed the "Mallers" as a nod to Woodfield Mall and the village's other shopping centers.

"I saw the contest on TV, so I thought, 'Why not?'" Larek said. "The whole idea of being able to name a minor league team is really fun."

As the grand prize winner, he will receive 20 tickets to a luxury suite on opening night and a team jersey with his name, which he will wear while he participates in the first pitch ceremony. He will also receive two season tickets.

Although Larek was chosen as the winner, the team has not officially adopted the "Mallers" as its new name.

Larek said it would be "extremely cool" to see his suggestion on shirts and signs if the team decides to use it.

"They've got a really great ballfield out there, and I think it's just great for the community that this new team is coming in," he said. "I think the Mallers definitely fits so, hopefully, they'll stick with that."