Bulls Announce Plans to Celebrate 25 Years of Bull Durham

When it comes to baseball, Durham is a pretty important spot. Made here, the movie Bull Durham is widely considered to be the most popular sports movie of all time, just as the subject of it, the Durham Bulls are widely considered to be the most popular AAA Baseball team in the world. Sure, it's not Cooperstown, but its role in baseball's story cannot be downplayed.

The Bulls have announced their plans to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the release of the 1988 movie that made the team internationally famous. Themed in-game entertainment, Bull Durham-era throwback jerseys, and giveaway items are among the activities on tap in 2013.

At every home game during the 2013 season, fans will be welcomed by the familiar “Rules of the Game” video voiced by a very Susan Sarandon-sounding announcer.  Then during each game, Bulls fans will be treated to at least one Bull Durham themed in-game entertainment feature.  Sure to be the most popular of those features are the Bull Durham Racers.

Unveiled on Opening Day, the racers have already created quite the buzz on the Internet with blog features on Baseball America, MLB Fan Cave, and Yahoo’s Big League Stew.  Serving as fan-friendly caricatures of Bull Durham’s most beloved stars, Racer Crash, Racer Nuke and Racer Annie will appear at big home games, racing along the warning track before exiting into the crowd for up-close photo opportunities.  Watch video of the Bull Durham Racers here.  Other in-game features will include trivia contests and videos of former and current Bulls reenacting famous scenes from the movie are here.

During Saturday home games, the Bulls will sport Bull Durham-era throwback jerseys. These late ‘80s/early ‘90s styled pullover tops will be auctioned off during the final Saturday home game of the season on August 24, with proceeds going to local non-profit groups.  The jerseys will also be worn on Sunday, June 16 when the Bulls host the Bull Durham 25th Anniversary Celebration, a game-long tribute to the film coinciding with the exact weekend it was released a quarter century ago.

Durham Bulls Mini Plan holders and Diamond Club members will have exclusive access to several Bull Durham themed giveaway items in 2013, including a Crash Davis catcher’s style backpack, and Nuke LaLoosh and Annie Savoy jersey t-shirts.

At concession stands, the spicy “Nuke Dog” makes its menu debut. Named for the fireball throwing Ebby Calvin “Nuke” LaLoosh, it’s a classic Carolina Packers red hot dog with crushed red pepper as an added ingredient. The “Nuke Dog” is also topped with the award-winning “Get Me a Switch” spicy relish from locally based Cottage Lane Kitchen.

More Bull Durham themed features and events will be announced throughout the season. The Durham Bulls resume their current homestand on Tuesday, April 23 with the first of four games against the Toledo Mud Hens. Tickets for all home games are available the DBAP box office, by calling 919.956.BULL or online.

Click here for more ways to enjoy Durham, NC.