Bakersfield, Cincinnati extend deal

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- The Cincinnati Reds and Bakersfield Blaze have announced a two-year Player Development Contract (PDC) extension that will now run through the 2014 season.

The Bakersfield Blaze have been the Reds' Class a Advanced affiliate since 2011, marking at least four years of partnership between the Blaze and Reds.

"We are absolutely thrilled to continue our relationship with the Cincinnati Reds," Blaze general manager, Elizabeth Martin, noted. "Being able to keep working with the same parent club allows the Blaze a consistency that will contribute to the continued baseball renaissance in Bakersfield, and the Reds are a perfect partner."

Current Reds' Major League players Henry Rodriguez, Didi Gregorius, Pedro Villarreal and Tony Cingrani all played in Bakersfield within just the past two seasons, and the new record-holder for stolen bases in a Minor League season, Billy Hamilton, swiped 104 of his 155 bags in Bakersfield in 2012. Hamilton's meteoric rise led to ESPN: The Magazine doing a feature at Sam Lynn Ballpark, the home of baseball in Bakersfield since 1941.

The Bakersfield Blaze are currently in the California League North Division Championship Series. The 2013 regular season begins April 4, on the road in Stockton against the Oakland Athletics farm club, the Ports.

Fans can continue to follow the Blaze via the team homepage, BakersfieldBlaze.com, or on the team's Facebook page and via twitter, @BakoBlaze to stay up to date on all the progress.