Lookouts get deal extended

Blue is no longer new for the Chattanooga Lookouts.

After enjoying his first season of partnership with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Lookouts owner Frank Burke asked the Dodgers for a contract extension. Burke signed a two-year deal with Los Angeles in September 2008 for the 2009-10 seasons, but he did not want any uncertainty about the future entering next season.

He doesn't have to worry, as the Dodgers have agreed to a two-year extension that will keep the Lookouts as their Class AA affiliates through 2012.

"I made that very clear with them," Burke said. "The most important thing is that I wanted to make sure they were happy here and wanted to stay. I don't think there is a better place for their players to develop, and so far they agree."

The Lookouts went 65-74 in their first season with the Dodgers, getting eliminated from the second-half race with four games remaining. Los Angeles went 95-67, which was the best record in the National League, but got bounced for a second consecutive October by Philadelphia in the National League championship series.

Dodgers farm director De Jon Watson, who made multiple trips to AT&T Field this season, also believes the maiden voyage went well.

"We're just really excited about being where we are," Watson said. "We love Chattanooga and we love the facility, and I think Frank has put together a great team to work with our players and work with our organization. It's been a good relationship, and we're excited about extending it."

Before this past season, AT&T Field underwent a transformation that included the construction of a weight room, erecting "Dodgertown, Tennessee" front gates and installing five video cameras, two on each side of the infield and one in straightaway center. The Lookouts clubhouse was painted blue, and historic Dodgers pictures were put up throughout.

Watson said the video system was a big plus, as were the replica Dodgers uniforms that became favorites of the players.

Burke had hoped to land a four-year extension but was told the Dodgers prefer two-year contracts. He signed a four-year pact with the Cincinnati Reds that ran from 2003 to '06 before choosing a two-year deal in 2007-08 before opting for another organization.

"I'm OK with that," Burke said. "It's very unusual for the Dodgers to renew now for any length. They haven't historically done that, but they knew it was important for me. I promised to extend the Dodger brand, and I'm doing the best that I can to do that."

Said Watson: "It is a form of four years altogether, isn't it? Frank needs to work on his math. Again, this has been good, I think, for both sides, and I think it's going to continue to grow and get better. We hope to be there for an extended period of time."

Said Burke: "I told the Dodgers when they came to Chattanooga that I didn't think they would ever leave. They are very happy here, and they are very happy here because the fans are great and the players love it. They like the ballpark and they like the community, and I knew that when they signed."