Tigers renew player development agreement with Detroit parent team

Norwich -- The Connecticut Tigers and the Detroit Tigers have agreed to a two-year extension to their player development contract, guaranteeing the agreement through the 2014 season, the minor league baseball team announced today.

“We’re excited to sign an extension with the Detroit Tigers, while already in a current contract with Detroit,” said Connecticut Tigers Vice President and General Manager C.J. Knudsen. “We believe that shows the strength of our relationship.”

The current PDC was set to expire at the end of the 2012 season.

“The Tigers are very pleased to enter into this extension agreement with Connecticut,” said Detroit Tigers Director of Minor League Operations Dan Lunetta in a press release. “As we had anticipated when we came here in 2010 with (Tigers Managing Partner Miles Prentice) and his management team, Norwich has proven to be an excellent locale that fits very well within our developmental program.”

The Connecticut Tigers are the Class-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers and play in the New York-Penn League. The Tigers came to Norwich in spring of 2010 and saw a 23 percent increase in attendance in 2011 – fourth highest improvement in all of minor league baseball -- and will open their third season at Dodd Stadium on June 20 against the Lowell Spinners, affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.

“The Detroit Tigers have provided us with quality coaching staffs and players for our fans to enjoy over the past two seasons at Dodd Stadium,” Knudsen said. “We’re thrilled to be a part of the Detroit Tigers family and look forward to continuing to provide affordable family entertainment in Connecticut, while representing and carrying the Tigers name proudly.”