Mike Couzens has been named manager of broadcasting and media relations, the Fort Wayne TinCaps announced today.FORT WAYNE – Fort Wayne’s TinCaps will keep aspiring to be San Diego Padres for at least the next two seasons.
The baseball club announced Thursday it signed a two-year extension to be the Low-A affiliate of the Padres’ organization.
TinCaps President Mike Nutter said he was excited to continue the relationship as the club nears the end of its 12th season with the Padres. During that time, the team is 830-828, according to the Padres.
“They have been a big part of this franchise’s success over the last several years, and we’ve really enjoyed working with the player development staff,” Nutter said.
The TinCaps, whose game Thursday at South Bend was rained out and will be made up as part of a doubleheader starting at 5 p.m. today, went 94-46 last year and won the Midwest League championship. The team has clinched a spot in this year’s playoffs, which begin Wednesday.
Nutter said the success extends over the entire relationship, as 57 Fort Wayne players have made it to the major leagues under San Diego.
Randy Smith, Padres director of player development, said re-signing with the TinCaps was a “no-brainer.”
“The entire environment, including Mike Nutter’s staff, Parkview Field and the city of Fort Wayne, is conducive to player development,” he said.
Minor league teams are allowed to sign two- or four-year contracts with major league affiliates, Nutter said. While the Padres initially wanted to sign a longer deal, Nutter said the team felt the two-year extension provided the most flexibility.
Recent speculation centered on the possibility the team might look to sign with a more regional affiliate, but when the Chicago White Sox opted to stay in North Carolina after signing a four-year deal with Kannapolis on July 2, there were not many regional options left for the TinCaps.
Nutter said minor league teams are barred from talking to major league organizations before their affiliate contracts expire. He said there was some initial thoughts of waiting to see what would be available after the season, but it made more sense to stick with an organization that has been so good to Fort Wayne.
The TinCaps also released their 2011 schedule, which includes more fireworks and national entertainment acts than ever before, Nutter said. Ticket prices will not be raised.
“Our fans have supported us extremely well in these tough economic times,” he said.
Single-game tickets will go on sale in February, but sales of season-ticket packages will begin immediately.
