Official

Here is the release that is on the Timber Rattler website:

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are pleased to announce they have agreed to a Player Development Contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. The four-year contract will keep the Rattlers and Brewers together through the 2012 season.

"The Timber Rattlers are very excited to sign this agreement with the Milwaukee Brewers," said Timber Rattlers President Rob Zerjav. "We look forward to building a long term partnership and providing the great baseball fans of Wisconsin a first class venue to watch the Brewers stars of tomorrow."

This marks a return to the Midwest League for the Brewers. Milwaukee previously had affiliates in Danville (1971-74), Burlington (1975-81), and Beloit (1982-04). Current Brewers that played in the Midwest League include Prince Fielder, Rickie Weeks, Tony Gwynn, Jr., and Manny Parra.

"We are eager and looking for this to be a long term relationship with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and are excited to have a minor league affiliate closer to home," said Brewers Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Melvin. "The premier facilities and Brewers fan base in Appleton combined with the proximity to Milwaukee provides a great opportunity for us and it gives our players an excellent and competitive environment to further their development."

Milwaukee's Low A affiliate had been located in Charleston, West Virginia for the last four seasons. The Power reached the South Atlantic League Championship Series each of the past two seasons.

This is the first National League affiliate in the Fox Cities since professional baseball returned to Appleton in 1958. Since then, the Appleton franchise has been affiliated with the Washington Senators (1958-59), Baltimore Orioles (1960-65), Chicago White Sox (1966-86), and the Kansas City Royals (1987-92) before signing with the Seattle Mariners prior to the 1993 season.

The Timber Rattlers partnership with the Mariners had been tied with Cedar Rapids - Angels agreement as the longest running affiliation in the Midwest League. The Timber Rattlers reached the Midwest League Championship Series in 1999 and 2005 and saw players such as Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz, and J.J. Putz come through Appleton during their time with Seattle.

"We would like to thank the Mariners for the 16 year relationship we have had and wish them well in all future endeavors," said Zerjav. "Our decision to change affiliations in no way says we were unhappy with the Mariners, it has more to do with the potential synergy we believe exists with the in-state Brewers and the fact our fan base is one in the same."

Wisconsin's first game as a Brewers affiliate is scheduled for April 9th, 2009 against the Quad Cities River Bandits at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium.