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MWL1 Burlington Bees

The Bees and Kansas City Royals Extend Affiliation Through 2010

August 4, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Burlington Bees News Release


Burlington, IA (August 4, 2006) - The Burlington Bees are pleased to announce that the organization has signed a four-year extension to its Player Develop Contract (PDC) with the Kansas City Royals. The announcement was made tonight at Community Field during the Bees game against Clinton by Bees' General Manager Chuck Brockett and Royals Senior Director of Minor League Operations Shaun McGinn. The agreement will keep the Royals as the team's Major League affiliate through at least 2010. The Bees and Royals originally signed a two-year PDC prior to the 2001 season and extended that contract for two more years in both 2002 and 2004. When the teams signed the first two-year extension in ' 02, it was the first time an affiliate had extended its contract with the Bees in 20 years. This agreement will keep the Bees and Royals together for at least ten years. The only affiliate to be in Burlington for longer was the Kansas City/Oakland A's that spent twelve years in Southeast Iowa from 1963-74.

"This is an exciting day for our organization," Brockett said. "When I started with the Bees, one of our goals was to gain some stability and consistency for our organization both in the front office and with our Major League affiliate. That's why we invested in the new playing surface, the batting tunnel, and upgrades for the clubhouse. The Royals recognize our commitment to having a quality facility for player development and this shows they want to be here. This contract also shows that we want the Royals here. Their front office staff and coaches have been great to work with and I like their plan to build their Major League team through their minor league system. When an organization sends a player like Mike Sweeney to rehab in your ballpark, helps get people like Frank White, John Wathan, and Ryan Lefebvre to participate in our Winter Banquet, and plans to send the number one pick here in a couple of weeks to start his career, it lets you know that you're a valuable part of their team."

"I have been very impressed with the commitment of the Burlington Bees front office and board members to make Community Field a first class facility," said McGinn. "Everything that the Royals need to develop players we have here in Burlington. I can't say enough about the community and fans. The all-around atmosphere is great for developing players and we are looking forward to the next four years."

Jim Gabella has been the Bees' manager for the last three years and he thinks the Royals have made a good choice. "I think this is an ideal place for player development. This facility is outstanding with the field, the batting cage, and the clubhouse - it's everything you need to get your work done. The people are outstanding too. The fans that come to the games are great and this community is a great place for these young players to learn to be out on their own."

Since the Royals became the Bees' affiliate in 2001, the Bees have redone the playing surface at Community Field, built a heated indoor batting/practice facility, added a new scoreboard, added on to the home clubhouse, and last year completed a $3 million renovation of the overall facility, including an expansion of the home dugout.

For more information on this announcement, media members should contact Bees General Manager Chuck Brockett at (319) 754-5705.

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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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