The Red Sox and Lowell Spinners today announced the extension of their player development contract (PDC) for an additional two years. The extension keeps the Red Sox' New York-Penn League Short-Season Single-A affiliate in Lowell through the 2012 season.

Sox Director of Player Development Mike Hazen and Lowell Owner Drew Weber made the announcement.

“We are thrilled to continue our relationship with the Lowell Spinners for another two seasons," said Hazen. “Many of our young players have their first experiences in professional baseball in Lowell, and we believe that the Spinners organization, led by owner Drew Weber and vice president/general manager Tim Bawmann, creates the ideal environment for them to thrive. We look forward to working with the Lowell Spinners for many years to come."

The Red Sox originally entered into an agreement with the Spinners when the franchise moved from Elmira, New York to Lowell prior to the 1996 season. The PDC was last extended with a two-year extension through 2010 in June 2008.

In 1998, the team moved to the new Edward LeLacheur Park, where the Spinners have had 381 consecutive standing room only sellouts, a streak dating back to August 2, 1999.

Lowell is one of Boston’s six minor league affiliates, joining Triple-A Pawtucket (International League), Double-A Portland (Eastern League), Single-A Salem (Carolina League), Single-A Greenville (South Atlantic League), and Rookie Gulf Coast Red Sox (Gulf Coast League).