SOUTH BEND — New South Bend Silver Hawks owner Andrew T. Berlin announced Thursday that the club has an agreement with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

“We are delighted to announce that we have reached an early agreement to renew our affiliation with one of the best run minor league systems in professional baseball,” Berlin said.

The news comes nearly a month prior to opening day and nearly six months prior to the post-season period when renewals and affiliation deals are normally struck between major and minor league owners.

“There was no reason to wait for this renewal and every reason to do it early,” added Berlin. “The Diamondbacks are a first-class organization.  Not only do they recruit some of the most exciting young players in the world for the Silver Hawks, but they give us Mark Haley, one of the best managers in all of Minor League baseball.  Mark is as much of a draw at the ballpark as some of the players.  And let’s face it, the Diamondbacks are also winners. They won the National League West division title last year.”

“We’re excited to renew the agreement with South Bend,” commented Mike Bell, Director of Player Development for the Arizona Diamondbacks. “We’ve had a great relationship with them and look forward to continuing for the foreseeable future. With Andrew’s leadership and direction, we’re confident it will be great place for our players to learn the game.”

The renewed affiliation agreement between the South Bend Silver Hawks and the Arizona Diamondbacks extends the current agreement, which is scheduled to lapse at the end of the 2012 season, all the way through the 2014 season.

“This is one of the things we knew going in that we wouldn’t have to worry about or change,” added Berlin. “The early renewal means we can focus our attention on all of the other things that fans have been telling us they want to see as part of their game experience.  So, we’re grateful to the Diamondbacks for making this easy.”

The South Bend Silver Hawks are a Class A minor league team affiliated with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The team is owned and operated by Swing-Batter-Swing, whose sole shareholder is Berlin of Chicago.

Opening day is April 9.