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EL1 New Hampshire Fisher Cats

Fisher Cats and Blue Jays Announce Extension of Player Development Deal

February 27, 2004 - Eastern League (EL1)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats News Release


The New Hampshire Fisher Cats and the Toronto Blue Jays are proud to announce the signing of an extension of their player development agreement, assuring the Fisher Cats as the Blue Jays¹ Double-A affiliate through the end of the 2006 baseball season.

Fisher Cats owner Drew Weber and team president and general manager Shawn Smith have been working for the past few weeks to finalize the deal with Toronto. The two parties signed their original deal prior to the 2003 season in New Haven, Connecticut.

³The Toronto Blue Jays organization has been committed to our operation since our involvement with the New Haven club. Time and time again, the Jays farm system has proven their professionalism, dedication and desire to make their home in New Hampshire,² Smith said. ³It¹s now our turn to reciprocate and let them know that we¹re honored to sign this extension.²

Blue Jays Director of Player Development Dick Scott shared the enthusiasm and is equally happy to be announcing the contract extension.

³We¹ve had a great relationship with Drew and Shawn from day one. It¹s been a partnership that has come along nicely,² Scott said. ³The Fisher Cats are going to be a huge addition to the New England baseball landscape. We want to be a part of the excitement in New Hampshire for a long time.²

Scott and Blue Jays Vice President of Baseball Operations J.P. Ricciardi have a special affinity for the Granite State, as both are New England natives.

³The quality of the Eastern League combined with the diehard fans in New Hampshire make this a perfect fit for the Blue Jays,² Scott said. ³We can¹t wait to give the fans a quality baseball team this year and for many years to come.²

The Major League Baseball player development agreement establishes a major-league talent feeder system, where for example, the Blue Jays provide the players and the Fisher Cats make sure the players have all the facilities available to continue their progression through the Blue Jays¹ farm system en route to the major leagues.

Ticket sales for the team¹s inaugural season at historic Gill Stadium have been brisk, with more than 110,000 tickets sold. Single game seats are now available to the general public at the team¹s Hampshire Plaza offices in Manchester, by phone at 603-641-2005 and through the Fisher Cats¹ Web site at www.nhfishercats.com.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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