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Akron RubberDucks

Indians, RubberDucks Extend PDC Through 2020

August 29, 2016 - Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release


Akron, OH- The Cleveland Indians announced today a four-year player development contract extension with the Double-A Akron RubberDucks of the Eastern League through the 2020 season.

"(RubberDucks owner/CEO) Ken Babby and his team have gone over the top in making Akron a top-of-the-line facility for our players, our staff, and the tremendous fans who come to see them play," said Carter Hawkins, Cleveland Indians Director of Player Development. "It has truly been a partnership, so extending our relationship with the RubberDucks was an easy decision. We couldn't be more excited to continue the relationship with the team and the city of Akron, and look forward to many years of championship-caliber baseball at Canal Park."

Since moving to Northeast Ohio in 1989 as the Canton-Akron Indians, the RubberDucks franchise has been the Indians' Double-A affiliate. The franchise moved to Akron when Canal Park opened in 1997 and became the Akron Aeros before becoming the Akron RubberDucks in October 2013. The franchise has won the Eastern League title four times: 2003, 2005, 2009 and 2012. Currently, 24 of the players on the Indians 40-man roster played in Akron, and 17 of those within the last four seasons, including Francisco Lindor, Tyler Naquin, Danny Salazar, Jose Ramirez and Mike Clevinger.

"We are thrilled to continue our working partnership with the Cleveland Indians," said RubberDucks General Manager Jim Pfander. "The Indians are a first-class organization with a deep, emotional connection with the people of Northeast Ohio. We can't wait to watch the next wave of Indians superstars to come through Canal Park during the next four seasons."

The 2016 regular season wraps-up Labor Day Weekend with a four-game series vs. Bowie Baysox, Sept. 2-5. The fun starts on a jam-packed Friday with Main St. Festival from 5-7 p.m. in front of Canal Park. It continues at 6:05 p.m. with the resumption of the Aug. 21 suspended game at Bowie. The game is in the top of the fifth inning with Akron leading 6-3. After that game finishes, a seven-inning game between the Baysox and RubberDucks will start. All of that is capped off with 1990s-themed fireworks, presented by Bober Markey Fedorovich and APV Engineered Coatings.

Tickets are available at the Canal Park Box Office, which is open Monday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., or by calling 330-253-5153 or by visiting www.akronrubberducks.com.

The Akron RubberDucks are the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The 2016 season is its 20th since moving to Akron and third since becoming the RubberDucks. For more information about the team, please visit the RubberDucks' website, www.akronrubberducks.com, Facebook page www.facebook.com/AkronRubberDucks, Twitter feed @AkronRubberDuck, and Instagram at @akronrubberducks.

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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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