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NATURALS, ROYALS EXTEND PLAYER DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals will serve as the Royals Double-A Affiliate through the 2020 season
By Naturals PR Department
April 4, 2016

SPRINGDALE, Ark - The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are excited to announce a four-year extension of the club's player development contract with the Kansas City Royals. This agreement will keep the Naturals as the Royals Double-A Affiliate through the 2020 season. 

""We are extremely proud to continue our player development contract with the Kansas City Royals." said Naturals General Manager Justin Cole. "We have seen the Royals commitment to a world class player development system firsthand and were thrilled to the see so many former Naturals flourish on Kansas City's 2015 World Series Championship team. Kansas City is a first class organization in all aspects and we look forward to furthering that partnership."

The extension is a continuation of what will be entering a 22-year relationship during the 2016 season between Rich Baseball and the Kansas City Royals, while 16 of those years have been under the Glass family ownership. Prior to moving to Northwest Arkansas in April of 2008, the Wichita Wranglers had served as the Royals Double-A Affiliate in the Texas League since the start of the 1995 season while the Naturals have been a Royals Affiliate throughout their existence in Northwest Arkansas. 

"We are very excited for the start of the 2016 season in Northwest Arkansas. Springdale has always provided a great environment for our players and we are proud so many of our major league players have played for the Naturals" said Royals VP/Assistant General Manager-Player Personnel J.J. Picollo. "Northwest Arkansas will continue to be an important stop in the careers of our future major league players."

The Kansas City Royals began the 2016 season last night with a 4-3 win over the New York Mets. The Royals have reached the World Series in each of the last two (2) seasons while claiming the crown last fall with a 4-1 series win over the aforementioned Mets. The Naturals meanwhile have won three (3) North Division crowns over eight (8) seasons and won the Texas League Championship in 2010. Fans in Northwest Arkansas have seen a lot of talent come through Arvest Ballpark as the Royals Opening Day roster included 13 former Naturals including cornerstone players 1B Eric Hosmer, C Salvador Perez, 3B Mike Moustakas, RHP Kelvin Herrera, and RHP Yordano Ventura.

The Naturals General Manager will be available to media today at Media Day as well as the Open Workout for additional comments. 

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals will return to action on Thursday, April 7 of 2016 when they host the Frisco RoughRiders, the Double-A Affiliate of the Texas Rangers, to begin Season Nine of Naturals Baseball.

Follow the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Twitter @NWANaturals all throughout the year by using the hashtag #NaturalPastime and #CrowntoCrown for all of our up-to-date information on the Season Nine of Naturals Baseball, tickets, groups, promotions, roster, season standings, player statistics, and updates on Naturals alumni.

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League Affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The Naturals play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Ark. For more information, including statistics, ticket options, and more, please visit NWANaturals.com, and follow us on Twitter @NWANaturals and Facebook.com/Naturals.

-Naturals-