Happy news out of the Delta today, as the Stockton Ports and Oakland Athletics have re-upped their Player Development Contract (PDC) that keeps the Ports as the High-A, California League affiliate of the A’s through 2016. There was no drama associated with the announcement because there were no rumors of affiliation moves recently.
STOCKTON, Calif.-The Oakland Athletics and Stockton Ports have jointly announced the extension of their Player Development Contract (PDC) through the 2016 season. Prior to this new two-year extension, the A’s and Ports had signed a two-year agreement April 15, 2010 for the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
“It is great to see so many former Stockton Ports making an impact in Oakland,” said Filippone, the Ports’ president.“The Athletics are a first-class organization, and we are eager to continue building upon the tradition in Stockton as an A’s affiliate well into the future”.
Media availability has been scheduled for Tuesday August 20th from 6:30-6:55 in the Ports front office with Athletics Assistant General Manager David Forst and Ports President Pat Filippone. A pregame ceremony will immediately take place at 7 p.m. recognizing the extension agreement on the field prior to the Ports/San Jose Giants contest.
The Stockton Ports are one of the A’s five minor league affiliates, joining the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats (Pacific Coast League), Double-A Midland RockHounds (Texas League), Low-A Beloit Snappers (Midwest League), Low-A Vermont Lake Monsters (New-York Penn League)
The California League has proven to be one of the more stable minor leagues in baseball, with the biggest coming in 2005 when the A’s organization dropped Modesto for Stockton and its new ballpark. Bakersfield is getting new digs next year, further contributing to that stability.
newballpark.org 
This is all contingent on the A’s continuing to exist and not being contracted. Right now, the A’s have no place to play next year and no new stadium in sight.
It seems like the PDC between the a’s and rivercats expires after next season. Does anyone know if there is any chatter about this being extended or if the relationship may be in jeopardy? I just moved into the sacramento area, and it would be great if the Oakland-Stockton-Sacramento trifecta could remain in place for a few more years so I can see a ton of games at different stages of the a’s organizational umbrella.
When looking at all the cities that play in the California League, San Jose is such a strange entry amongst places like Stockton, Lake Elsinore, Visalia and Rancho Cucamonga. Why some would rather just keep the San Jose Giants than have the A’s come to San Jose is beyond me. But having Stockton come through San Jose to get a glimpse at future A’s is kinda cool.
Yes, it is strange to have a city of 1 million people – the 10th-largest city in the country – lumped in with Rancho Cucamonga – population 165,000 – and Lake Elsinore – population 51,000. But the Giants want to keep it this way – forever.
Go Visalia Rawhide (formerly known as Oaks!)
The Oaks used to be the A’s second affiliate in the CAL league for a year or two a while back in concert with the Modesto A’s. Still miss the epic clashes between the little A’s and little Giants.
That said at least Stockton has been a great affiliate and at least pay homage to the A’s with their alternate cap.
Off topic, feel free to delete, ML. Another article about the Raiders’ slim chances of extracting any $$ from Oakland. Of course, the same holds true for the A’s. http://goldengatesports.com/2013/08/21/oakland-raiders-is-a-move-to-los-angeles-possible/
Dan, when I used to frequent Oaks games, they were the Minnesota Twins affiliate. I also watched them play as the “Central Valley Rockies” a time or two.
Jeffrey, did you ever get a burger from Merle’s after the game?
Daveybaby, I’ve eaten at Merle’s more times than I can remember.
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I am from Lemoore (i am sort of from all over Nor Cal, but was in Lemoore for jr high and high school) and my family was in Visalia twice a month for various social functions (sports, Masonic stuff, etc.)
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I used to check the Cal League box scores right after I checked the A’s box scores.
Mearle’s is a Habit now (Mearle’s closed about a month after I moved to Visalia so I never went there). 😦
Kurt Suzuki is coming back. My Kurt Suzuki jersey is no longer outdated.