A's extend Ports' PDC through '14

STOCKTON, Calif. -- The Stockton Ports, 11-time champions of the California League, are excited to announce that they have extended their player development contract with the Oakland A's, making them the Class A Advanced affiliate of the Athletics through the 2014 season. The Ports have been an Oakland affiliate since 2005, and their most recent two-year agreement was signed on July 24, 2008 for the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

"The Ports have been proud to be an affiliate of the four-time world-champion Oakland A's since 2005, and we are extremely excited to extend our partnership another two years," said Ports president and general manager Pat Filippone. "The A's player development system is one of the top in professional baseball, and we are proud to be a part of their organization. We have enjoyed a great relationship with the A's, both on and off the field, since 2005.

"We've been very proud to see so many Ports players make it up to the A's, including Dallas Braden, Kurt Suzuki, Andrew Bailey, Brad Ziegler, Brett Anderson, Trevor Cahill, Tyson Ross and so many more," Filippone added. "We are proud to connect our history and tradition with the A's history and tradition. We look forward to working with the A's in the future and to seeing many more young athletes matriculate from Stockton up to Oakland."

Entering into the 2010 season, the Ports have compiled a 348-352 regular season record as an A's affiliate, with three postseason appearances and one California League championship title. The 2008 California League crown, their first as an A's affiliate, was a league-record 11th franchise championship title.

"We are delighted to continue our relationship with the Ports and the Stockton community through at least the 2014 season," said A's vice president and general manager Billy Beane. "As a Single-A affiliate, Stockton provides us with an ideal situation in regards to a first-class playing facility, a supportive fan base and its close proximity to the Bay Area. We look forward to continuing this very successful association."

Since becoming an A's affiliate, the Ports have set an attendance record in three of their first five seasons in Banner Island Ballpark from 2005 to 2007. The Ports welcomed their one millionth fan in stadium history on July 30, 2009, and will look to welcome their five millionth fan in franchise history this season. Stockton enters the 2010 season with a franchise attendance of 4,794,070 fans. The Ports need 205,930 fans to reach the 5,000,000 milestone.

In addition to Stockton, the Oakland Athletics' Minor League system is comprised of the Sacramento River Cats (Triple-A), Midland RockHounds (Double-A), the Kane County Cougars (Class A), the Vancouver Canadians (Class A Short-Season) and the Arizona Athletics (Rookie).