Blue Rocks And Royals Extend Player Development Contract Through 2016
Wilmington, DE - The Wilmington Blue Rocks are proud 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 at least the 2016 season.
"We are thrilled to continue our relationship with the Kansas City Royals by once again renewing our affiliation agreement," said Blue Rocks general manager Chris Kemple. "They have been an absolute first-class organization to work with and we look forward to the next two seasons. With the signing of this agreement, we will have partnered with the Royals in 22 of our 24 seasons. The Blue Rocks and Royals have almost become synonymous with each other in the state of Delaware."
The Blue Rocks have enjoyed great success as a member of the Royals' chain, posting a combined mark of 1434-1209 through 2013 as a Kansas City affiliate. During that time, Wilmington has made 15 postseason appearances and won four Carolina League Mills Cup championships (1994, 1996, 1998, 1999).
"We are excited to extend our contracts with Burlington, Idaho Falls, Lexington and Wilmington for an additional two years," Royals director of player development Scott Sharp said. "We feel these cities and facilities are some of the best in all of minor league baseball and provide us a great advantage in developing the Royals of the future. There is great history tied to each of these affiliates as many of our current Major League players have donned their uniforms; we want to continue these relationships for a long time."
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 return to Wilmington to open their final homestand of the 2014 campaign on Tuesday, August 26 at 6:35 p.m. against the Potomac Nationals. For ticket information, please call 302-888-BLUE or visit BlueRocks.com.
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