Harrisburg, PA - The Harrisburg Senators, Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, are pleased to announce a four-year extension to their player development agreement with the Washington Nationals. With this agreement, the Senators will remain a Nationals' affiliate through the 2018 season. Mike Rizzo, President of Baseball Operations and General Manager of the Nationals, and Kevin Kulp, President of the Senators made the announcement in a joint press conference earlier today at Metro Bank Park.



This marks the Senators tenth season partnered with the Washington Nationals. The Senators have partnered with the Nationals/Montreal Expos since 1991, making this their 24th consecutive season as partners. During their time with the Nationals/Expos, the Senators have been to the Eastern League finals nine times, winning the Championship five times. Since the move to Washington, the Senators have won two division crowns and have made the playoffs three out of the past four seasons.



"We are very pleased to announce this extension of our relationship with the Washington Nationals," Kulp said. "They are a first-class organization from top to bottom and have placed not only great ballplayers on our team but also fine young men. We look forward to growing together in the years to come."



Over the past nine seasons, 53 players have gone from Harrisburg onto making their major league debuts with the Washington Nationals. Currently 24 of the 40 players on the Nationals 40-man roster played in Harrisburg. Twice in the past four seasons the Senators have had the overall number one pick in the draft on their roster, Stephen Strasburg in 2010 and Bryce Harper in 2011.



"Our partnership with Harrisburg and the Senators dates back more than 20 years, and it is with that history in mind that we are excited to sign on with them for another four," Rizzo said. "Harrisburg is an Eastern League gem, and we are proud to continue our association with a team, and a town, that have such rich baseball histories.



"From a baseball standpoint, the Senators have served as a fantastic breeding ground for some of our organization's most talented players, and helped launch the Major League careers of many. The Senators connection in our clubhouse runs deep."



During their affiliation with each other, both teams are on the rise. Over the past four seasons, both teams have had their share of hardware. The Senators have twice finished first in their division; have made the playoffs three times and last year advanced to the Eastern League Championship Series for the first time since 2002. In 2012 the Nationals won the N.L. East and had the best record in Major League Baseball and are expected to challenge this year under new skipper Matt Williams.



The Senators offices are open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily during the off-season. The 2014 home opener is Thursday, April 10th against the Reading Fightin Phils. The Senators open their 2014 campaign on Thursday, April 3rd at the Bowie Baysox. For information about season tickets, ticket plans, group tickets please call the Senators at 717-231-4444 or visit the Senators online at www.senatorsbaseball.com.