Yakima Bears and Arizona Diamondbacks Extend Affiliation

(Yakima, WA) - The Yakima Bears and Arizona Diamondbacks have extended their affiliation in a new two-year contract that will run through the 2010 season. The Bears officially announced the agreement at a press conference on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at 3 p.m. at Yakima County Stadium.

The Yakima Bears' General Manager K.L. Wombacher and the Diamondbacks' Minor League Field Coordinator Jack Howell were both present to address the excitement of the affiliation extension.

"The Arizona Diamondbacks franchise has become one of the best in Major League Baseball and we are extremely proud to be an affiliate," said Wombacher. "They are committed to building their Major League roster with their Minor League farm system and we excited to continue being a large part of their success."

"We are very fortunate to have a strong relationship with the Yakima Bears," said Diamondbacks Director of Player Development A.J. Hinch. "We are proud to extend our PDC in Yakima and look forward to continuing our relationship. We continue to find comfort and stability in sending our young talent to the Northwest as their first taste of professional baseball. We enjoy working with K.L. Wombacher and his staff, knowing that our players are in good hands as they develop both on and off the field."

The Bears have been the Short-A Affiliate of the Diamondbacks since the 2001 season, following an 11-year partnership with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Since the Bears affiliation began with the Diamondbacks, a number of current major leaguers have made their way through Yakima, including Conor Jackson (2003), Mark Reynolds (2004), and Dan Uggla (2001).