Grady Little, Will McFarlane Headline Opening Day at the DBAP

With just over 24 hours to go until the first pitch of the 2011 home season as thrown at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, the Durham Bulls today released the order of pre-game festivities for Opening Day. The Bulls open the home portion of the season against the Norfolk Tides on Thursday night at 7:05 PM with gates opening at 6:00 PM.

Former Durham Bulls Manager Grady Little will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Little managed the Durham Bulls from 1988 through 1991 before eventually moving to the major leagues as a manager in 2002-03 with the Boston Red Sox and 2006-07 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He finished with a career record of 385-290 along with two post-season appearances in four years.

Nashville Musicians Hall of Fame guitarist Will McFarlane will perform the National Anthem prior to the game. McFarlane spent six years playing guitar with Bonnie Raitt, from 1974 to 1980 before moving to Muscle Shoals, Alabama, playing on records for Bobby Blue Bland, Little Milton, Etta James and Johnnie Taylor as part of the famed Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section.

Other happenings during the pre-game include a performance by the Tri-Force Jump Rope team in the entry plaza, Wool E. Bull’s arrival on the Duke University Hospital LifeFlight Helicopter and the players and coaches arriving on the field in new cars courtesy of Sport Durst.

Tickets are available here or by calling the park.

Opening Day Pre-Game Schedule

6:00 PM Tri-Force Jump Rope Team performs in entry plaza
6:45 PM Wool E. Bull lands in Duke Lifeflight Helicopter
6:49 PM Grady Little throws ceremonial first pitch
6:50 PM 2010 Season in Review Video
6:53 PM Players arrive on the field in automobiles from Sport Durst
7:00 PM Ecumenical Prayer by the Reverend Johan Kendall of St. Phillips Episcopal Church
7:01 PM Barlett Yancy School ROTC takes the field in the color guard
7:02 PM Will McFarlane performs National Anthem