Here’s the release from the Boston Red Sox announcing that they have extended their PDC with the Lowell Spinners.
BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox and Lowell (MA) Spinners today announced the extension of their Player Development Contract (PDC) for an additional two years. The extension keeps the Red Sox New York-Penn League Short-Season Single-A affiliate in Lowell through the 2014 season.
Red Sox Director of Player Development Ben Crockett and Spinners Owner Drew Weber and President/General Manager Tim Bawmann made the announcement.
“We are very happy to extend our productive relationship with the Spinners through 2014,” said Crockett. “The Spinners organization and the community of Lowell really embrace our young players and provide them an exciting introduction to Red Sox Nation. Drew Weber, Tim Bawmann and the entire Spinners staff foster an excellent atmosphere for development and we look forward to our continued partnership.”
The Red Sox originally entered into an agreement with the Spinners when the franchise moved from Elmira, New York to Lowell prior to the 1996 season. The PDC was last extended for two years through the 2012 season in December 2009.
“There couldn’t be a better organization to work with than the Boston Red Sox,” said Bawmann. “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the Red Sox organization in developing the future stars of Fenway Park here in Lowell. From the ownership group to the talented baseball operations staff, the Red Sox are a top-notch organization to work with.”
In 1998, the team moved to the new Edward A. LeLacheur Park, where the Spinners had a decade-long, 413-game sellout streak from August 2, 1999-August 31, 2010. Former Spinners currently with the Red Sox include Clay Buchholz, Felix Doubront, Jacoby Ellsbury and Kevin Youkilis.
Lowell is one of Boston’s six minor league affiliates, joining Triple-A Pawtucket (International League), Double-A Portland (Eastern League), High-A Salem (Carolina League), Single-A Greenville (South Atlantic League) and Rookie Gulf Coast Red Sox (Gulf Coast League).
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