The Chicago Cubs signed an early contract extension with the South Bend Cubs, ensuring that the partnership between the two teams will last through at least 2020.

“The original four-year contract we signed with the Cubs was already unheard of,” Andrew Berlin, who owns the South Bend Cubs, said. “Their typical deal is two-years.”

The early extension shows that the partnership is working for Chicago and South Bend, Berlin added.

Theo Epstein, president of baseball operations for the Chicago Cubs, said it’s clear to him that South Bend has worked to become a high-class minor league baseball team.

“They have provided our players with first-class facilities which has translated to success on the field, as evidenced by this season’s first-half division title and strong representation in the Midwest League All-Star Game,” Epstein said. “Their organization, as well as the South Bend community, has been a tremendous asset to our farm system.”