LANCASTER – Veteran baseball club owners Jake Kerr and Jeff Mooney have entered into a purchase agreement to acquire the Lancaster JetHawks of the California League.
The transaction will become final pending approval from Minor League Baseball (MiLB), Major League Baseball and the California League.
The Lancaster City Council on Wednesday voted unanimously in favor of the acquisition of the Lancaster JetHawks by JetHawks Baseball, LP. The organization, which has been formally issued the lease rights of the Lancaster Municipal Stadium, along with an extension of the lease contract, also owns and manages the Vancouver Canadians, the Class A affiliate of the Major League Toronto Blue Jays. Jake Kerr and Jeff Mooney are the owners of both organizations.
“We have enjoyed the process of building the Vancouver Canadians into an award-winning franchise and now we look to do the same in Lancaster,” stated Jake Kerr. “Our achievements aren’t limited to the baseball diamond – we’re just as committed to making a real difference in the community.”
Jake Kerr and Jeff Mooney have also confirmed Andy Dunn as president of the Lancaster JetHawks while maintaining his position with the Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club in the same capacity.
“The C’s are one of the greatest experiences Jake and I have had, and the opportunity to extend the excellence Andy Dunn has built to an additional franchise was compelling,” stated Jeff Mooney. “We’re committed to the team, the players – but strengthening community ties is equally as important to us.”
Prior to the Canadians, Dunn was vice president with the Washington Nationals and the Florida Marlins. He has been instrumental to the success of the Vancouver Canadians, guiding the franchise to a John H. Johnson President’s Trophy in 2013 as the most ‘complete’ organization in Minor League Baseball.
A part of the city of Lancaster since 1996, the JetHawks won two of the past three California League championships since being affiliated with the Houston Astros organization.
The JetHawks showcased some of Minor League Baseball’s top prospects in 2014 including #1 overall draft picks SS Carlos Correa (2012) and RHP Mark Appel (2013).
Lancaster JetHawks Baseball opens up the 2015 California League season on Thursday, April 9 at home against the San Jose Giants.
To learn more about the Lancaster JetHawks, please visit http://www.jethawks.com.
More on the Vancouver Canadians
The Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club is an affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays organization and remains one of Canada’s most recognizable sports brands. Since 1978, the Canadians have played out of historic Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium and are locally owned and operated by Jake Kerr and Jeff Mooney. Winners of the John H. Johnson President’s Trophy for MiLB’s most “complete” franchise, the Canadians are also three-time Northwest League Champions (2011-2013).