Captains And Cleveland Indians Extend Player Development Contract Through 2016
(Eastlake, OH) - The Lake County Captains and the Cleveland Indians have announced an extension to their player development contract which will retain the Captains as an Indians affiliate through the 2016 season.
The Lake County franchise has been affiliated with the Indians since 1991, when the club was located in Columbus, Georgia. The franchise was known as the Columbus Indians in 1991, the Columbus Red Stixx from 1992 through 2002 and moved to Eastlake to become the Captains in 2003.
"We are very pleased to continue our association with Cleveland as we enter our 13th year in Lake County. It has been a terrific partnership and we look forward to continuing it for many years to come", Captains Vice President and General Manager Brad Seymour stated. "It is great for the fans of the Indians to be able to see the players beginning their careers at our level and then follow them to the big leagues."
51 former Lake County players have gone on to play at the Major League level, including 11 current Indians that include Cody Allen, Josh Tomlin, Jose Ramirez, T.J. House and Danny Salazar.
"For over a decade, the Captains have been an outstanding partner in the development of our players," stated Ross Atkins, Vice President, Player Development for the Cleveland Indians. "With the support that the city of Eastlake, the Captains leadership, and the Captains fans provide our players and staff, it's no surprise to see the Major League success of our homegrown players that once called Lake County their home. We look forward to continuing this mutually beneficial relationship and couldn't be happier having such a quality affiliate right in our back yard."
Lake County has reached the post-season in five of the seasons that the franchise has called Eastlake home, including this year as the team heads to the Midwest League playoffs starting next week. The Captains won its lone championship in 2010 when it captured the Midwest League crown in its first season since transferring from the South Atlantic League following the 2009 campaign.
The Captains will open its 2015 regular season on April 10 in Lansing before returning for its home opener on Sunday, April 12 against Bowling Green. Affordable full season tickets plans, 12-, 20-, and 35-game mini ticket plans for the 2015 season are on sale now and information may be found at the Captains website CaptainsBaseball.com.