By Katie Knapp
Omaha, NE – The Kansas City Royals have renewed their player development agreement with Omaha for two more years.
Omaha Royals President Alan Stein announced the contract extension Thursday. It means the Omaha Royals will continue to be an affiliate of the Kansas City team through 2010. That affiliation is the second-longest running one in Major League Baseball.
Stein says Omaha's relationship with the major league club has grown, and he calls the Kansas City Royals a class organization. Kansas City Assistant General Manager for Scouting and Player Development J.J. Picollo says the city is in a good spot with Omaha because of proximity and a good working relationship.
Where the Omaha Royals will play after the 2010 season is still unknown. Stein says there haven't been additional discussions with MECA. He says the Omaha Royals organization plans to begin narrowing down possible 2011 sites at the end of this season. Their goal is to know where the 2011 location will be by the start of the Omaha Royals' next season.
Sarpy County is thought to be a possible relocation option for the Omaha Royals. That county is currently doing a feasibility study to determine if a minor league ballpark should be built there.