Hillsboro, OR (April 18, 2014) – The Hillsboro Hops (@HillsboroHops), announced today that they have extended their affiliation with Major League Baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) through the 2016 season. The Hops have been a Diamondbacks affiliate since 2001.

“We are extremely proud of our Diamondbacks affiliation,” said Hops General Manager K.L. Wombacher. “Since our affiliation began in 2001, we’ve had 32 players make the big leagues and many more that will be making their debuts soon.”

“We are excited and grateful to have the opportunity to extend our affiliation through at least the 2016 season,” said Diamondbacks Director of Player Development Mike Bell. “Hillsboro Ballpark and the Gordon Faber Recreation Complex is a terrific facility and it provides everything we need to help develop our players. Furthermore, the baseball knowledge of the Hops fan base and the atmosphere they create is second to none. Our players have the opportunity to play in front of a large, supportive crowd every night that helps prepare them for higher levels. I have a tremendous respect for Mike McMurray, Laura McMurray, K.L. Wombacher and the entire Hops staff. They have created an organization we can all be proud of. On behalf of the Arizona Diamondbacks, I would like to thank the Hops organization and the community of Hillsboro for a special inaugural season and for what I am sure will be a great relationship for years to come.”

The Diamondbacks have deployed an experienced coaching staff to Hillsboro to guide the Hops for the 2014 season. Manager J.R. House will be joined by former MLB standouts Doug Drabek (pitching coach), Mark Grace (hitting coach) and Ben Petrick (Special Consultant).

The Hillsboro Hops kick off their season June 13^th at Everett and make their home debut on June 18^th with a series against Salem-Keizer. Hillsboro Hops season tickets, mini plans, and group packages are ON SALE NOW by calling 503.640.0887 or by going online to www.hillsborohops.com.

The Hillsboro Hops are the Single-A baseball affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball. The team’s season runs from mid-June to early September. The franchise relocated to Hillsboro in 2012 and began play in 2013 in a new state-of-the-art 4,500 capacity ballpark. The Hops are part of the 58-year old Northwest League, which includes teams in Boise, Eugene, Salem-Keizer, Tri-Cities, Spokane, Everett and Vancouver BC. Major League stars who rose to prominence via the Northwest League include Ken Griffey Jr., Felix Hernandez, Edgar Martinez, Reggie Jackson, Ozzie Smith, Rickey Henderson and Tony Gwynn.  Follow the Hops on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HillsboroHops and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/HillsboroHops. 

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