MLB.com

By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com

A new 15-foot-high bell will ring each time the Rangers hit a home run. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The two parties kept "in Arlington" to preserve the authenticity of the ballpark.

The Rangers are now the 15th team in Major League Baseball with a naming rights agreement.

"We think it will give us the ability to be more competitive," said Rangers owner Tom Hicks. "In today's economics it probably means one more good pitcher a year, and that gives us a chance to be more competitive."

"What it means is that now we have the ability to compete with the SAFECOs, the Network Associates and the people who are enjoying the opportunities we were not," said Rangers COO Jeff Cogen. "Our goal is to re-invest that back in the team and bring championships to North Texas."

As part of the agreement, the Rangers and Ameriquest will work together in community-outreach programs designed to underscore baseball and home ownership in Arlington. The Ameriquest/Rangers Habitat for Humanity program, a joint effort that will build three homes in the area for qualified families, will highlight community initiatives.

Orange, Calif.-based Ameriquest is also heavily involved in youth programs and youth baseball, and will donate 10,000 Rangers tickets to disadvantaged youth every year. The company will sponsor giveaway nights, take part in the annual Winter Caravan and support the Texas Rangers Foundation.

Ameriquest, the official mortgage company of Major League Baseball and title sponsor of in-stadium and online All-Star balloting, is one the nation's largest lenders. The company provides home-equity loans through more than 250 branch offices in the U.S., including 17 in Texas. Ameriquest and its affiliates employ more than 12,000 associates nationwide.

"We are deeply grateful to the more than 300,000 citizens of Arlington, as well as every Rangers fan in Texas and across the country," said Adam Bass, senior executive vice president and vice chairman of Ameriquest. "Ameriquest Field in Arlington is their ballpark. They built it with unconditional loyalty. We appreciate how much this community loves and supports its baseball team, and are proud to have the Ameriquest name associated with the Texas Rangers and the national pastime."

As part of the agreement, a 15-foot-high bell will be placed on the left-field terrace and will ring each time a member of the Rangers hits a home run, and will ring once for each run the Rangers score. The bell is Ameriquest's trademark.

"We are going to do everything we can to be as competitive as we can and build the Rangers into a winning baseball team over a long period of time," said Hicks. "This is something we have been working on. The economy went away for about three years. It changed, and we are thrilled to find the right partner."

Jesse Sanchez is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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