Rock Cats welcome Rockies to New Britain

The Double-A New Britain Rock Cats Baseball Club (Eastern League) is pleased to announce that the club has reached an agreement on a Player Development Contract (PDC) with the Colorado Rockies for the next two years, encompassing the 2015 and 2016 seasons.

"We are pleased to have a new Major League partnership with the Colorado Rockies and that they will be part of the Rock Cats exciting future," remarked Rock Cats owner Josh Solomon. "The Rockies have the same values that are important to the Rock Cats in community service and have also done a great job in player development."

"The Rockies are thrilled to have the opportunity to play in New Britain in front of a great historic fan base and are excited to build new relationships with the Rock Cats fans," Rockies Senior Director of Player Development Jeff Bridich said." The Eastern League is a tremendous league where there are high expectations of talent, and we feel our players will thrive in the environment that it provides."

In 2014, the Colorado Rockies Double-A affiliate reached the Texas League Championship Series and

has made the playoffs in each of the past three seasons. The Rockies Low-A club in Ashville has won the South Atlantic League Championship in two of the past three years. Baseball America ranked the Rockies as the 11th best minor league system in baseball in 2014.

"We are excited to welcome our new Major League partner the Colorado Rockies. Our fans will finally have the opportunity to see a National League brand of baseball for the first time in franchise history," said Rock Cats General Manager Tim Restall.

The Rockies have two of the biggest stars that have come through New Britain; Former American League Most Valuable Player Justin Morneau and 2013 National League Batting Champion Michael Cuddyer. Both Morneau and Cuddyer played instrumental roles in winning New Britain's last Eastern League Championship in 2001.

The Rock Cats home opener is on April 16 (6:35PM) against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Toronto- AL).