Orioles extend player development contracts with five affiliates

The Orioles today announced they have extended the working agreements with their five minor league affiliates: Triple-A Norfolk, Double-A Bowie, Class A-Advanced Frederick, Class-A Delmarva, and Class A-Short Season Aberdeen. The extensions are for two years, running through the 2020 season.

"We look forward to continuing our association with each of these clubs and are very pleased with the strong working relationship we have built over the years," said Orioles Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Dan Duquette. "It's mutually beneficial to have all of our affiliates located in the Mid-Atlantic region, allowing our fans an opportunity to see the Orioles stars of the future in their own backyard before they join the Major League club. Each organization has proven to be an outstanding fit for the Orioles and will continue to help us build a championship club and expand the development of our players."

"We are pleased to have long-running relationships with each of our affiliates, including many that have spanned decades," added Orioles Executive Vice President John Angelos. "Working with Cal Ripken, Jr. and Bill Ripken in Aberdeen, with Ken Young in Norfolk, Bowie, and Frederick, and with Tom Volpe and Pat Filippone in Delmarva has been a tremendous experience, and we thank each of them for providing fan-friendly experiences for baseball fans within our shared market."

The Norfolk Tides have been the Orioles Triple-A affiliate since 2007, playing their home games at Harbor Park in Norfolk, Va. The Bowie Baysox, the club's Double-A affiliate since 1993, play their home games at Prince George's Stadium in Bowie, Md. The Frederick Keys have been an affiliate of the Orioles for thirty seasons, having begun a relationship in 1989. The Keys play their home games at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium in Frederick, Md. The Delmarva Shorebirds became an Orioles affiliate in 1997 and play their home games at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium in Salisbury, Md. The Aberdeen IronBirds play their home games at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, Md. and have been an O's affiliate since 2002.