Double C PDC extension
The Cleveland Indians and the Lake County Captains have announced the extension of their Player Development Contract today. The new contract will run through the 2020 season.
The Cleveland Indians are the only team the Captains have been affiliated with during their existence. Even when the team still played at Columbus, Georgia in the South Atlantic League, the team was affiliated with the Indians. In 1991, the club saw life as the Columbus Indians but after one season it was renamed into Columbus RedStixx. Eventually, in 2003 the club moved to Eastlake in Ohio and adopted the name Lake County Captains. Then the club still played in the Sally League. After the 2010 season, the club switched leagues after the Columbus Catfish moved to the Midwest League. To get an even number of teams in both leagues, the Captains moved to the Midwest League as well.
Traditionally, pleasantries were exchanged. Captains General Manager, Neil Stein said: “We are extremely happy to announce the extension of our affiliation with the Cleveland Indians. The Indians are a first-class organization from the front office to the playing field and we’re proud to do our part to help the players who come through Classic Park on their way to the Big Leagues. A vast majority of our fans are Indians fans and it’s a tremendous opportunity for our community to see the future of the Cleveland Indians right here at Classic Park.”
“We value the long-standing relationship with the Captains and are proud of the role the Captains play in providing a positive and optimal environment for our players as they work toward becoming Cleveland Indians”, stated James Harris, Cleveland Indians’ Director of Player Development. “We look forward to continuing the relationship for years to come.”
The move to the Midwest League in 2010 was a successful one at once since the club won the league’s championship. Since the inaugural year of 1991, there have been plenty of future Major Leaguers that spent time with the Columbus Indians/ Columbus RedStixx/ Lake County Captains: Alan Embree, Chris Archer, Maicer Izturis, Victor Martinez, C.C. Sabathia, Omar Vizquel and Francisco Lindor to name a few.