MLN Newswire - (Norwich, Conn.) -- The Connecticut Defenders and San Francisco Giants have renewed their
Player Development Contract for the 2007 and 2008 seasons.  The agreement guarantees fans of having
professional, affiliated baseball in Southeastern Connecticut through the next two years with one of Major
League Baseball’s most successful franchises.
 
 “The Giants are excited to have extended our agreement with the Connecticut Defenders through
2008,” said Bobby Evans, Giants Director, Player Personnel.  “We have enjoyed our first full season
working with new owner, Lou DiBella, and his management team led by Jim Beaudoin.  We continue to
enjoy the Eastern League and are proud to remain a part of a quality situation.  The  improvements that
the City made in building the indoor batting cage prior to last season and the off-season plans to upgrade
the already improved field significantly enhances Connecticut as a quality facility to develop our young
talent.  We appreciate the support of local fans as well, and hope that it will continue to grow in the years
to come.” 
 
 “We are pleased to continue our relationship with the Giants, one of baseball's elite franchises. 
We are proud to re-up as their Double A partner,” said Lou DiBella, Defenders President and Managing
Partner.
 
 The Giants have been the Defenders parent organization since 2003.  In just three-plus short
years the Giants have developed 19 players that have gone from Norwich to the Major Leagues, 17 of
them to San Francisco.  Some of those players include Jeremy Accardo, Matt Cain, Doug Clark, Kevin
Correia, Brad Hennessey, Noah Lowry, Merkin Valdez and Brian Wilson.
 
 The lease extension also means that Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium will be home to one of
only 30 Double A franchises in the country.  Norwich is also one of only 112 cities in the United States
with full-season, affiliated professional baseball.  
 
 “The relationship between the Defenders and the San Francisco Giants is a very strong one,” said
Jim Beaudoin, Defenders General Manager.  “The Giants commitment to developing young talent that
will help them at the Major League level is apparent in the fact that so many players have come through
Dodd Stadium on their way to the Major Leagues.  This helps ensure that fans from Eastern Connecticut
can come to a game at Dodd Stadium and see quality baseball as well as have a fun, family experience at
an affordable price.”
 
 On September 20, 2002 Norwich announced their first Player Development Contract with the
San Francisco Giants (formally with the New York Yankees since their inception in 1995).  In the short
time the Giants have been the parent club several events and stadium improvements taken place.  On July
7, 2004 Norwich City Council approved the construction of a new indoor hitting/pitching facility, weight
room, and video board.  Nine days later the Giants renewed the PDC through 2006.  July 18 Governor M.
Jodi Rell, United States Senators Chris Dodd and Joe Lieberman, and many other dignitaries were on
hand to welcome home Connecticut National Guard troops from Iraq.  Legendary Hall of Famer Willie
Mays visited Dodd Stadium on August 7, 2004.  On April 5, 2005 Lou DiBella was formally introduced
as the new President and Managing Partner of the franchise.  Governor Rell returned for a ‘Save Our Sub
Base’ rally June 14, 2005.  On October 17, 2005 the new team name and logo were unveiled.  And on
December 30, 2005 a lease extension was officially signed through 2012 with the City of Norwich.
 
The Connecticut Defenders are the Class Double A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, and a
member of the 12-team Eastern League. P. 860.887.7962 
F. 860.886.5996