“This is a five day
window for Durham to show its great
assets,” said Mike Schoenfeld representing Duke
University and the Durham Chamber
of Commerce.
The Triple-A
All-Star Game, featuring the premier players and most promising prospects from each
of Major League Baseball’s top affiliates in the International and Pacific
Coast Leagues, headlines a multi-day extravaganza which will include an
All-Star Fan Fest, Luncheon, and Home Run Derby featuring Minor League’s
Baseball’s most iconic home run target – the DBAP’s famous Snorting Bull. Durham Bulls General Manager Mike Birling excitedly
discussed the Home Run Derby saying that no other stadium has “such an iconic
home run target” as the Snorting Bull.
“Hosting the
Triple-A All-Star Game is a tremendous honor and a once-in-a-generation
opportunity to showcase not only the Bulls organization, but Durham and the
entire Triangle community,” said Birling. Hosting this game also packs an
economic punch. According to Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau's Shelly Green, the event will bring about $3.3 million in visitor spending and
bump the local tax rolls by over $100,000 as fans, media, and baseball
executives from around the country converge in Durham for Minor League
Baseball’s signature event.
During the
announcement made at a press conference this morning, the Bulls also unveiled
the logo for the 2014 Triple-A All-Star Game. The logo (see above) features
depictions of some of the iconic buildings of the Durham skyline, including the
Lucky Strike water tower and smoke stack, all set on a blue star representing
the great players who have participated in the game – 77 of whom have gone on
to play in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Derek Jeter, Chipper Jones,
Pedro Martinez, Mike Piazza, and Joey Votto are among the game’s most notable
alumni.
“When baseball executives from around the
country gathered in the Triangle last September for the Triple-A National
Championship Game, players, fans and officials were treated to a first class
experience which made the decision to award the 2014 Triple-A All-Star Game to
the Bulls and the City of Durham a very easy one,” said International League President
Randy Mobley. “The Bulls represent all that is right about Minor League
Baseball and with an MLB Network broadcast, this will be yet another
opportunity for Durham to shine in all its glory on a national stage.”
“Durham is a city
of champions and championships,” said Schoenfeld. That’s true.
Learn more about all of them online.
No comments:
Post a Comment