Wilmington, DE - The Wilmington Blue Rocks are pleased to announce a two-year extension of the player development contract with their major league parent club, the Kansas City Royals. The Blue Rocks will continue to be Kansas City's Advanced-A Carolina League affiliate through the 2014 season.

"We are thrilled to once again renew our affiliation agreement with the Kansas City Royals," said Blue Rocks general manager Chris Kemple. "They have been a first-class organization to work with and we look forward to the next two seasons. With this agreement, we will have partnered with the Royals in 20 of our 22 seasons. The Blue Rocks and Royals have almost become synonymous with each other."

The Blue Rocks have enjoyed great success as a member of the Royals' chain, posting a combined mark of 1432-1209 (.542) through 2011 as a Kansas City affiliate. During that time, the Rocks have earned 14 postseason appearances and won four Carolina League Mills Cup championships (1994, 1996, 1998, 1999).

"We are very excited to continue our relationship with the Wilmington Blue Rocks an additional two years," said Scott Sharp, Royals director of minor league operations. "We have been partners with the Blue Rocks for all but two years of their existence and take great pride in this. The ownership group, management team and the community are great supporters of the Kansas City Royals and our minor league players. The facility and city are second to none in minor league baseball."

The Royals were Wilmington's parent club when the modern-day Blue Rocks began play in 1993. After a two-year stint as a Boston Red Sox affiliate from 2005-2006, the Rocks resumed their association with Kansas City in 2007. The Blue Rocks continue a four-game set with the Potomac Nationals on Thursday, July 12 at 7:05 p.m. For ticket information, please call 302-888-BLUE or visit bluerocks.com.

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