Durham Bulls Athletic Park Features new Food and Beverage Options for 2015 Season

At the seventh inning stretch, Durham Bulls baseball fans won't be singing about peanuts and crackerjacks. They'll be cheering for donuts and beer instead.

The Durham Bulls Athletic Park (DPAP) has welcomed several new food and beverage options to the ballpark through its newly formed hospitality company, Bull City Hospitality.  Additional food offerings will come from Durham Catering Co., Rise Biscuits & Donuts, and Bull Durham Beer Co.

The recently formed Bull City Hospitality has formed a partnership with Durham Catering Co., who will provide food and service in the PNC Triangle Club and suite level at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Durham Catering Co. owner Tom Ferguson will also bring his popular Rise Biscuits & Donuts concept to the DBAP in the form of a donut kiosk on the main concourse.

DBAP will also add  Bull Durham Beer Co. an on-site brewery in the main concourse. The new craft brewery is the only beer company located at a Minor League Baseball stadium, and the DBAP will become one of just a few sports venues in the country to brew beer on-site. At its May opening, Bull Durham Beer Co. will feature Water Tower Wheat and Lollygagger, a Kolsch-style ale. Fans will have the ability to watch the initial creative process at games as the season starts, and then enjoy the fresh beers at the ballpark upon brewing completion. BDBC beers will also be made available to restaurants and events at the American Tobacco Campus all year long.

As the tastiest town in the South, it's no wonder that some of Durham's best food offerings will also be found at the ballpark. 

Durham Bulls Recognized with Minor League's Top Honor

This past year the Durham Bulls turned the heads of more than just fans - they impressed all of Minor League Baseball. In fact, The Durham Bulls  have earned the highest honor in the Minor League. 

Minor League Baseball announced that the Durham Bulls have earned the the 41st annual John H. Johnson President’s Award. The Award honors the complete baseball franchise based on financial stability, contributions to league stability, contributions to baseball in the community and promotion of the baseball industry. This is the second time the Bulls have won this award, the first being in 1989 when the club was a Class A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves in the Carolina League. They are the only franchise to earn the honor at different classifications.

“Our 2014 season was historic in so many ways and we are beyond proud of our front office staff and game day team. It is their talent, passion, and dedication that continue to make the Durham Bulls brand a special one,” said Bulls General Manager Mike Birling in a statement. 

The 2014 Bulls season featured a single-season paid attendance record, a $20 million renovated ballpark, an All-Star Game and an International League South Division Championship. The team drew a record-setting 533,033 fans to Durham Bulls Athletic Park, breaking the all-time single-season paid attendance record of 520,952 which was set in 2007. "The Bulls are an incredible asset to Durham, and one our visitors clearly come to see," said Shelly Green, President and CEO of the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Discover additional great sporting activities in Durham and stay on top of all that is happening here with the Durham Event Calendar.

Triple-A Baseball All-Star Game Events Start Saturday at Durham Bulls Athletic Park

Coming up next week the Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham is playing host to the annual Triple-A All-Star Game for all of Minor League Baseball. Since announcing this last year, the event has blossomed into an epic occasion.

Players from every team in the minor league will be in Durham to play the Wednesday night game, as well as to participate in the events that kick off this prestigious event starting Saturday night.

"This is a major coup for Durham," said Shelly Green, President and CEO of the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau (DCVB). "We expect more than 30,000 fans to attend the festivities over the five-day period.  Not only will these visitors spend a lot of money in Durham…about $3.3 million…but they are sure to have a great time as the Durham Bulls certainly know how to pull off spectacular events,” she added.

In addition to promotion of the game and pre-game festivities to visitors and residents alike, DCVB will assist the Bulls in hosting the visiting teams and officials with Minor League Baseball's governing organization.  One amenity DCVB offers is a concierge-like service at the host hotel where friendly and knowledgeable Durham Wayfinders are stationed with iPads at key times to help the players, staff and dignitaries find everything they need in Durham. 

To enhance fan excitement about the game, The Durham Bulls have released three sets of tickets to the game on Wednesday that will be given away on the Durham, NC Facebook fan page. Those interested in winning should like the page to see all the details and chances to win.

The schedule of events follows:

Saturday, July 12

• All-Star Fan Fest - 11am-2pm at Durham Bulls Athletic Park
• All-Star Block Party - 6pm-10pm on Blackwell St. adjacent the DBAP
• Free admission to both All-Star Fan Fest & Block Party (food & beverage available for purchase)
• Share your Fan Fest & Block Party experiences using #AllStarFanFest and #AllStarBlock party on social media.

Monday, July 14

• Triple-A Home Run Derby - 6:35pm at Durham Bulls Athletic Park
• Buy Tickets for the Triple-A Home Run Derby online
• Share your Home Run Derby experiences using #TripleAHRDerby on social media.

Tuesday, July 15

• All-Star Workout Day - 2pm-5pm at Durham Bulls Athletic Park (open to public)
• IL & PCL All-Star Autograph Session - Approximately 2:45pm-4:00pm

Wednesday, July 16

• 2014 Cree Triple-A All-Star Game - 7:07pm at Durham Bulls Athletic Park
• Buy Tickets for the 2014 Cree Triple-A All-Star Game online
• Share your All-Star Game experiences using #ASGDurham on social media.

Understanding the power of social media, the Bulls are urging attendees to use the hashtags indicated above to ensure that the events get fan engagement at the global level. Fans are encouraged to join the conversation and share the energy at the events.

Durham is exciting year 'round. Stay up to date on all that is happening here with the Durham Event Calendar, and plan a trip to Durham online.

Bulls Baseball Season

Craving peanuts and cracker jacks? Enjoy a rousing chorus of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the seventh inning stretch in Durham. Fortunately, the Durham Bulls have already hit a home run this season with the newly renovated Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Find out more about the Durham Bulls...

Durham Bulls Say, May the Fourth Be With You

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away... there was a baseball team that played America's favorite sport in the Bull City for thousands of fans from near and from far. Or perhaps it wasn't a long time ago, and the Durham Bulls aren't too far away. 

Durham's favorite Triple-A baseball team will celebrate the spirit of Star Wars while wishing their young and old intergalactic fans, "May the Fourth be with you!" on Sunday, May 4, 2014. Fans will be able to take photos and interact with their favorite Star Wars characters and watch Bulls players wear R2-D2 themed jerseys, which have already garnered national acclaim.

This annual family-friendly event, is one of several popular family-focused events at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park this season, and comes on the heels of a $20 million upgrade. Both the theme night and the upgrade speak to the demand and value for family-friendly events in Durham.

The 10,000-seat Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Downtown Durham is already well-known for delivering a grand-slam ballpark experience in the heart of the American Tobacco District, and now the upgrades have the park looking better than ever. Groups will have more room to stretch in terrace seating areas, announcers will rev up the crowd with an improved sound system, seats will be more comfortable, and additional LED video signs will allow fans to feel even closer to the action or to team mascot Wool E. Bull.

In addition to the ballpark, Durham has plenty of activities for families, such as the award-winning Museum of Life + Science, and trips to DPAC- Durham Performing Arts Center. With such great entertainment, the family won't be bored. Learn more about the Durham Bulls 2014 season or find a kids itinerary in Durham.

Durham Bulls Announce New Mobile App

It's opening day at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park and the team has an ace up their jerseys. Or maybe it's just their mobile phones.

With today showing off it's sunshine- glory, the Durham Bulls have announced a brand new mobile app to use at the ballpark along with improved Wi-Fi capability during the 2014 season. The “MiLB Inside the Park” application provides visitors the ability to interact with game entertainment elements, team social media accounts, and stadium maps on game day. The app is available in the iOS App store and on Google Play. To download the app, simply search for “MiLB Inside the Park” and select Durham Bulls as your preferred team.

Learn more about MiLB Inside the Park app and find out more fun things to do in Durham.

Bulls announce schedule for 2014’s All-star Summer

Even though baseball season has ended in Durham, The Durham Bulls are already looking to the 2014 season.

The Governors’ Cup Champion Durham Bulls announced their home schedule for the 2014 International League season. The Bulls will welcome the new season at home on Thursday, April 3, showing off a newly renovated Durham Bulls Athletic Park against the Gwinnett Braves on Opening Night. 2014 will be anchored by Minor League Baseball’s premier event, as the DBAP hosts the Triple-A All-Star Game and surrounding All-Star festivities in mid-July.

All-Star Week in the Bull City begins the weekend of July 12, as the Bulls kick off Triple-A Baseball’s Midsummer Classic with All-Star Fan Fest in downtown Durham. Minor League Baseball’s most prolific sluggers will take their shots at the Snorting Bull, the most iconic home run target in baseball, on Monday, July 14 in the Home Run Derby. Durham Bulls Athletic Park then hosts the main event, the 2014 Triple-A All-Star Game, on Wednesday, July 16.

The Governors’ Cup Champs open the 72-game home schedule with an eight-game homestand, which features a rare weekend day game at the DBAP, as the Bulls host the G-Braves at 1:05pm on Sunday, April 6. Six other day games dot the home ledger, including the regular season finale at 1:05pm on Monday, September 1 against Norfolk. The 2014 home schedule features 11 Friday dates, 11 Saturdays and 13 Sundays.

The International League Champion Durham Bulls begin their Governors’ Cup title defense at the DBAP on April 3, 2014 against the Gwinnett Braves.  Durham Bulls Athletic Park, home of the 2014 Triple-A All-Star Game, is in the midst of a $15 million renovation project. Season ticket and mini plan packages for the 2014 season are on sale now.

Learn more about great things to do in Durham at www.durham-nc.com.

Durham Bulls Advance to Governors' Cup Championship Round

The Durham Bulls have moved one step closer towards becoming the 2013 International League Champions. With an opening round sweep over the Indianapolis Indians, the South Division Champion Bulls will now face the Pawtucket Red Sox in the Governors’ Cup Championship Round.

Durham Bulls Athletic Park will host Game 1 on Tuesday, September 10 and Game 2 on Wednesday, September 11.  Both contests are scheduled for 7:05pm. After an off day Thursday, the best-of-five series will move to the home park of the Boston Red Sox Triple-A affiliate for Games 3, 4, and 5 (as needed) on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

The eventual International League Champion will then face the winner of the Pacific Coast League title in the one game, winner-take-all, Gildan Triple-A National Championship Game in Allentown, PA on September 17.

Single game playoff tickets are $10 for all seating bowl locations. Groups of 20 or more can purchase playoff tickets for $8 each. Tickets for the Governors’ Cup Championship Round, presented by Sport Durst Automotive Group, can be purchased now at the DBAP box office, by phone at 919.956.BULL or online.

First Round Playoff Games Highlighted by Food Trucks Highlighted by Food Trucks, Craft Beer

The playoff games are here for the Durham Bulls! The International League South Division Champion Durham Bulls have announced the promotional lineup for first round Governors’ Cup Playoff Games at the DBAP, presented by Sport Durst Automotive Group.  The Bulls, who will face the IL West Champion Indianapolis Indians in the best-of-five series, host Game 1 on Wednesday, September 4 and Game 2 on Thursday, September 5. The return of the popular DBAP Food Truck Fest, a Craft Beer Rodeo, and rally towel giveaways highlight the first round event schedule.

On Wednesday, September 4, eight of the Triangle’s most renowned food trucks will once again make their culinary specialties available during the DBAP Food Truck Fest: Playoff Edition. Participants at the DBAP Food Truck Fest: Playoff Edition include Only Burger, Chirba Chirba, Parlez-Vous Crepe, Sweet Stacey Cakes, BaguettAboutIt, Porchetta, The Humble Pig, and American Melt Down.  Fans with tickets to the Game 1 will have access to all of the trucks, which will each have select menu items available for purchase at their locations along the Diamond View I concourse within Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

Game 2 of the first round on September 5 will feature the ballpark’s first ever Craft Beer Rodeo, where fans will be able to experience an expansive selection of craft beers along the Diamond View I concourse.  Once inside the ballpark, fans can sample and then purchase $5 tokens to enjoy pints from breweries including Anchor Brewing, Bear Republic, CBC, Cottonwood, Carolina Brewery, Foothills, Sierra Nevada, Sam Adams, Lagunitas, and Innis and Gunn. A portion of the proceeds from token sales will go to the Durham Bulls Youth Athletic League.

The first 1,500 fans at each first round game will receive a complimentary Rally Towel, courtesy of Sport Durst Automotive Group. Both games have a scheduled first pitch of 7:05pm, with gates at the DBAP opening at 6:00pm.

Single game playoff tickets are $10 for all seating bowl locations. Groups of 20 or more can purchase playoff tickets for $8 each. Tickets for the 2013 Governors’ Cup Playoffs can be purchased now at the DBAP box office, by phone at 919.956.BULL or online.

Learn more about Durham with this website.

Bulls Open Final Month of Season With Huge Homestand

The Durham Bulls, owners of professional baseball’s best record, return home to the DBAP on Saturday, August 3 to begin a nine-game homestand featuring visits from the Gwinnett Braves, Rochester Red Wings, and Charlotte Knights. Three fireworks shows, Negro League Night, and Bark in the Park highlight the promotional slate as the Bulls begin the final month of the regular season. Only 15 regular season home games remain in 2013.

On Saturday, August 3, the Bulls open the final month of the regular season with a 7:05pm game against the Gwinnett Braves presented by Picasso Pawn. The first of three fireworks shows in the homestand will follow the series opener.

Sunday’s 5:05pm game is Brain Aneurysm Awareness Night presented by Eye Care Associates and the Joe Niekro Foundation.  The concluding contest of the short two-game series with the Atlanta Braves top affiliate will also feature the Bulls’ annual Negro League Night.  Before the game, twenty local Negro League legends will be honored in an on-field ceremony.  Durham’s Negro Leaguers will then sign autographs for fans on the concourse.  Bulls and Braves players will don Negro League throwback uniforms during the game.  Following Sunday’s game, Kids Run the Bases thanks to Pepsi.

The Rochester Red Wings, Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, visit the DBAP for a four-game series beginning on Monday, August 5. Monday’s 7:05pm game is presented by Hillandale Golf Course. It is also Recycling Night, where fans can get a complimentary ticket for bringing an old copy of the yellow pages to the box office thanks to YP Holdings. Tuesday’s 7:05pm game is another AAA Membership Card Night. At every Tuesday home game in 2013, fans who show their AAA Membership Card can buy one Terrace Reserved ticket and get one, courtesy of AAA Carolinas.

Strayer University presents the 7:05pm game between the Bulls and Red Wings on Wednesday, August 7.  Man’s best friend gets run of the DBAP that night during the third Bark in the Park event this season. Four-legged Bulls fans and their owners can get tickets for $10.99 in a special pet section of the Outfield Reserved, or $25 tickets that include a 2-hour all-you-can-eat buffet. $5 of each Bark in the Park ticket purchase goes to benefit Second Chance Pet Adoptions. Tickets for the pet section at Bark in the Park can be ordered online at durhambulls.com using the promo code BARK.

The series finale with Rochester on Thursday, August 8 is Bring a Book Night, presented by Smith Breeden Associates.  Fans who bring a new children's book to donate to The Book Harvest will get a complimentary ticket to this game. The 7:05pm contest features $1 concession items including Bright Leaf hot dogs, popcorn and fries. Thursday is also College Night, where students can get a Terrace Reserved ticket and $5 in Bulls Bucks for just $10 or an Outfield Reserved ticket for only $4.99 by entering the promo code COLLEGE (and using a valid .edu email address) when purchasing tickets online at durhambulls.com.

The Charlotte Knights, top affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, visit the DBAP on Friday, August 9 to begin a three-game series with the first-place Bulls. Friday’s 7:05pm game is presented by Got to be NC Peanuts and features a postgame Friday Night Fireworks show. Fans who bring a jar of peanut butter to donate to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina will receive a free bag of peanuts at the game.

On Saturday, August 10, Triangle Orthopaedic Associates presents the 7:05pm contest with Charlotte and the third postgame fireworks show of the homestand.

The homestand finale on Sunday, August 11 is presented by the Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Center at North Carolina Specialty Hospital. Following Sunday’s 5:05pm game, Kids Run the Bases thanks to Pepsi.

The Durham Bulls return home to the DBAP on Saturday, August 3 to begin a nine-game homestand featuring visits from the Gwinnett Braves, Rochester Red Wings, and Charlotte Knights. Tickets for all regular season home games are available at durhambulls.com, by phone at 919.956.BULL, and at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park box office.

Durham Bulls Announce Pre-Sale of "Bull City Summer”

Normally, fans can't take the great ballpark experience home with them. But now, Durham Bulls fans can have a piece of it. 

The Durham Bulls announced the pre-sale of the limited-edition fine art book Bull City Summer: A Season at the Ballpark and Beyond. Edited by Sam Stephenson and published by Daylight Books, Bull City Summer chronicles the 2013 Durham Bulls season. Featuring photography and essays, Bull City Summer will be a limited edition with 216 pages total and 129 fine art reproductions from nationally acclaimed photographers. Pre-sale orders can be made in the team’s online store and at the Ballpark Corner Store at the DBAP.

Writers involved in the project include Stephenson, Adam Sobsey, Howard L. Craft, and Allan Gurganus, and photographers Alex Harris, Frank Hunter, Kate Joyce, Elizabeth Matheson, Leah Sobsey, Alec Soth, Hank Willis Thomas, Hiroshi Watanabe, and Ivan Weiss.  “The goal of the project,” said Stephenson, “is to converge on the stadium and its surroundings with a team of artists and documentarians and see what we find – stories, images – on the field and behind the scenes over the course of a season. The results will be a portrait of the art and craft and grit of baseball and the community that revolves around it in the ballpark and downtown Durham.” 

Stephenson’s last project, The Jazz Loft Project, won a 2010 ASCAP-Deems Taylor award for its wide-ranging outcomes including a book, exhibition, website and public radio series.  It also is the basis for a documentary film and a theatrical play that are currently in production. A longtime Triangle resident, Stephenson said, “The Jazz Loft Project concerned a building in New York City 1957-1965 obsessively documented by photographer W. Eugene Smith. For a decade it felt like I was living in 1959 New York City. By the end I was ready to live in 2013 Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, to document something happening here now, not New York fifty years ago.” Bull City Summer is the inaugural project of Stephenson’s new Rock Fish Stew Institute of Literature and Materials.

Learn more about Durham, NC at www.durham-nc.com.

Vote for Wool E. Bull for Minor League's Best Mascot

Wool E. Bull shows his love every week to Durham Bulls fans.  Whether it's dancing with energetic elementary schoolers on the field, or shooting t-shirts into the adoring crowd, Wool E. may be the most beloved bull in the Bull City.

Now it's time to return the love and vote for Wool E. Bull as the Minor League's Best Mascot.  Wool E. is up against a celery stick and a hambone, so it's important to show allegiance to most bullish mascot in the league!

There are two ways to vote and each vote enters fans into a sweepstakes contest. Fans can vote on MiLB.com by clicking to vote for a mascot.  Fans can also vote via Twitter by following @MiLB, tweeting the hashtag #MascotMania, and including the @DurhamBulls Twitter handle. Retweets count, too!

The league round will be voted from July 18-August 1 and the championship round will be voted on from August 1- August 8.  Fans can vote as many times as they like on MiLB.com and up to 25 times daily via Twitter. Voting also enters fans a chance to win a subscription to MLB.TV, MiLB.TV, and other prizes. See the Official Rules for details.

DBAP Food Truck Fest Headlines five Game Homestand

What's that delicious smell wafting through the air?  It's the smell of victory in Durham, along with quite a few beloved food trucks.

The first place Durham Bulls return home on Wednesday, July 10 to begin a five game homestand featuring visits from the Charlotte Knights and Gwinnett Braves.  The DBAP Food Truck Fest, two fireworks shows, and an appearance from Brobee of Yo Gabba Gabba! highlight the promotional event schedule.

The homestand gets underway on Wednesday, July 10 when the Bulls host the Charlotte Knights in the first contest of a short two-game series, presented by Rex Goliath.  Gates open at 6:00pm for the 7:05pm game that features the inaugural DBAP Food Truck Fest, as eight renowned local Food Trucks will have their famous culinary treats available for purchase on the Diamond View concourse within Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Participants at the DBAP Food Truck Fest include Only Burger, Chirba Chirba, Parlez-Vous Crepe, Sweet Stacey Cakes, BaguettAboutIt, Porchetta, The Humble Pig, and American Melt Down. 

Thursday’s 7:05pm game against the Chicago White Sox’ top affiliate, presented by Chick-fil-A, features $1 concession items including $1 Bright Leaf hot dogs, popcorn and fries. Thursday is also College Night, where students can get a Terrace Reserved ticket and $5 in Bulls Bucks for just $10 or an Outfield Reserved ticket for only $4.99 by entering the promo code COLLEGE (and using a valid .edu email address) when purchasing tickets online at durhambulls.com.

On Friday, July 12, the Bulls welcome the Gwinnett Braves to downtown Durham for a three-game set. Prior to the 7:05pm game, fans are encouraged to bring canned and packaged food along with personal hygiene items to donate in the “Stuff the Truck” event presented by Two Men and a Truck and Five Guys restaurants. Items can be dropped off at the Two Men and a Truck moving truck outside the main gates from 5:30pm through the end of the first inning.  All donated goods will go to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina.  Following Friday’s game, fans will be treated to a spectacular Friday Night Fireworks show. Great Outdoor Provision Co. also presents the second Camp Out Night of the season, where scout groups will spend the night in the DBAP outfield.

The series against the Atlanta Braves’ Triple-A affiliate continues on Saturday, July 13 at 7:05pm. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC presents the game and a special Saturday night postgame fireworks show. 

On Saturday and Sunday, the Goddard School presents an appearance by Brobee of the immensely popular Nick Jr. show Yo Gabba Gabba! Brobee will take photos with young fans in the front entry plaza during both games.

Sunday’s 5:05pm homestand finale will also feature Bike to the Ballpark, presented by GoTriangle. Fans that ride their bicycle to the DBAP and park it in the secure bike valet will receive a voucher for a $10 ticket which includes $5 in food credit. The first 500 people to park their bikes will also receive a goodie bag from partners including GoTriangle, the City of Durham, REI and Dick's Sporting Goods. As always, Kids Run the Bases after Sunday’s game, thanks to Pepsi.

The first place Durham Bulls return home to the DBAP on Wednesday, July 10 to begin a five game homestand featuring visits from the Charlotte Knights and Gwinnett Braves. Tickets for all home games are available at durhambulls.com, by phone at 919.956.BULL, or at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park box office.

Find more great events in Durham at www.durhameventcalendar.com.

Fourth of July Fire Works at DBAP

The Durham Bulls return home to the DBAP in Durham on Saturday, June 29 to begin a stretch of six home games in seven days, featuring visits from the Columbus Clippers and Norfolk Tides. The Bulls’ annual Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza, two other fireworks shows and Swing for the Cure Night highlight the event calendar.

The Bulls kick off the homestand with the first of four games against the Columbus Clippers, Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, on Saturday, June 29 at 7:05pm.  Sport Durst Automotive Group presents the annual Swing for the Cure Night, where the Bulls will wear special pink jerseys that will be available in an in-game auction to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  Fans can also support the cause by purchasing a special $12 package that includes a game ticket, pink hat, pink bracelet and a $2 donation to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  The package can be purchased online here using the offer code KOMEN or at the DBAP box office. Immediately following the game will be the first Saturday night fireworks show of the season.

On both Saturday and Sunday, young Bulls fans will be t
reated to a visit from Foofa of Nick Jr.’s wildly popular children’s show “Yo Gabba Gabba!” thanks to the Goddard School.  Foofa will be available for photos during both of the weekend games.  Sunday’s 5:05pm game, presented by Big Green Egg, will also feature Pepsi Kids Run the Bases postgame.

The series with Cleveland’s top affiliate continues on Monday with a 7:05pm start. Tuesday’s 7:05pm game is another AAA Membership Card Night. At every Tuesday home game in 2013, fans who show their AAA Membership Card can buy one Terrace Reserved ticket and get one, courtesy of AAA Carolinas.  The Bulls then travel to Fort Mill, SC for a one-game road trip against the Charlotte Knights.

On Thursday, July 4, the Bulls welcome the division rival Norfolk Tides for a two game series.  Immediately following the 6:05pm game on the 4th of July presented by PNC, the Bulls will host the City of Durham’s official Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza, the most dazzling pyrotechnics spectacular in the region.

The Bulls close out Independence Week with a 7:05pm game, presented by Carolina Packers, against the Baltimore Orioles’ top affiliate on Friday, July 5.  Another huge patriotic fireworks display will follow that game, with the Carolina Packers annual Hot Dog Eating Contest preceding fireworks.

The Durham Bulls return home to the DBAP on Saturday, June 29 to begin a stretch of six home games in seven days, featuring visits from the Columbus Clippers and Norfolk Tides. Tickets for all home games are available at online, by phone at 919.956.BULL, or at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park box office.

Learn about all the fun to be had in Durham online with the Durham Event Calendar.

USA Baseball to Host Cuba in International collegiate Friendship Series Game at DBAP

USA and Cuban baseball teams will meet on American soil for the first time since 1996 in Durham.

USA Baseball and the Cuban Baseball Federation announced today that their Collegiate National Team programs will compete for the second consecutive year in an international friendship series. Last year, the two countries resumed friendship series play at the collegiate level after a 16-year hiatus, with Team USA traveling to Havana for a five-game series – the host nation won the series, 3-2. The 2013 edition will see the Cuban National Team travel to the United States for five games across three states, culminating with a showdown at Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Tuesday, July 23.

“We are extremely excited to host the Cuban National Team this year,” said USA Baseball Executive Director/CEO, Paul Seiler. “Renewing our friendship series last year was a historic step for two countries that share an extremely rich baseball history. We hope with the success last year in Havana and this year’s series in the United States, we will build the foundation to continue this series for the foreseeable future.”

“Hosting the United States in 2012 was the culmination of hard work by both the U.S. and Cuba,” said International Baseball Federation Vice President, Antonio Castro. “The games in Havana were an incredibly positive experience for the players and fans, and we look forward to the same kind of atmosphere this year in the United States.”

The series will be the first in the U.S., between the two baseball-rich countries since Cuba won a five-game series, 3-2, in 1996, held in Minor League ballparks across four southern U.S. states.

In 2013, the teams will take the field for the first time on July 18 in Des Moines, IA at Principal Park, home of the Iowa Cubs. On July 19 and 20, the Omaha Storm Chasers and the Omaha Sports Commission will host games two and three of the international friendship series at Werner Park in Omaha, NE.

The following day, the two teams will travel to the Triangle-area of North Carolina to play the final two games of the international friendship series, with the fifth and final game being played at 7:05pm on July 23 at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

"Playing in Cuba was one of the best experiences of my playing career," said 2012 Collegiate National Team pitcher, Carlos Rodon (North Carolina State), who will return in 2013. "I flew straight down from the Golden Spikes Award ceremony in New York, there was no way I was going to miss that trip. It meant a lot for me and my family to visit Cuba, and the opportunity to play against that competition while representing my country made the experience even better."

USA Baseball records show that the U.S. and Cuba’s National Teams (U.S. professional teams did not begin competition until 1999) competed consistently each year from 1987-1996, with various friendship games played as early as the late 1970s.  The series is among those with the richest history for USA Baseball, with its collegiate All-Star games against Japan serving as the longest-running friendship series, having just completed its 38th installment in 2011.

The 2013 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team will be led by Texas Christian skipper Jim Schlossnagle.  Players will be invited over the course of the college baseball season, and the final 24-man roster will be announced on June 30.  The team will first gather in Cary, NC, for training on June 21.

Tickets for the USA vs. Cuba game at Durham Bulls Athletic Park on July 23 will go on sale Wednesday, June 19 at 9:00am.  Once on sale, tickets can be purchased online at durhambulls.com, by phone at 919.956.BULL, or at the DBAP box office.

Learn more about great events occurring in Durham at www.durhameventcalendar.com.

Bull Durham 25th Anniversary Celebration June 13

Combine baseball, Durham, and a great night out and what do you get?  An evening of baseball at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park celebrating the movie Bull Durham, of course!

The Durham Bulls return home to the DBAP on Thursday, June 13 to begin an eight game homestand featuring visits from the Indianapolis Indians and Louisville Bats. A Bull Durham 25th Anniversary Celebration, Bark in the Park, and ‘90s Night highlight the promotional slate, while on the diamond the Bulls face off against Minor League Baseball’s single-season stolen base record holder in Louisville’s Billy Hamilton.

The homestand gets underway on Thursday, June 13 at 7:05pm as the Bulls host the Indianapolis Indians, Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, in the first of a four game series.  Thursday home games at the DBAP (with the exception of July 4) feature $1 Bright Leaf hot dogs, popcorn and fries. Thursday is also College Night, where students can get a Terrace Reserved ticket and $5 in Bulls Bucks for just $10 or an Outfield Reserved ticket for only $4.99 by entering the promo code COLLEGE (and using a valid .edu email address) when purchasing tickets online at durhambulls.com.

On Friday, June 14, Wilson Law P.A. presents the 7:05pm ballgame and the Friday Night Fireworks show immediately following the contest between the Bulls and Indians. The Diamond Cutters, the Bulls’ world famous dancing grounds crew, will also perform.

Saturday night’s 7:05pm game is presented by Chevrolet. Following the game, Great Outdoor Provision Co. presents the first of three Camp Out Nights during the 2013 season, where scout groups from across the Triangle will spend the night in the DBAP outfield. For Camp Out Night group information, call 919.956.BULL.

Coinciding with the same weekend it was released 25 years ago, fans can take part in the Bull Durham 25th Anniversary Celebration on Sunday, June 16.  Throughout the 5:05pm game, the Bulls will honor the movie that made them internationally famous. The team will wear Bull Durham era throwback jerseys on the field, while all game entertainment will focus on memorable moments and little known facts from the movie. Fans will have a chance to take photos with the new Bull Durham Racers, unveiled this season as a tribute to the anniversary, and also with the original Bull mascot from the movie. In the Ballpark Corner Store, themed Bull Durham merchandise will be available for the first time this season. Following the game, Kids Run the Bases thanks to Pepsi.

On Monday, June 17 at 7:05pm, the Cincinnati Red’s top affiliate begins their only visit of the year. Louisville is led by the exciting Billy Hamilton, who set a Minor League record in 2012 by stealing an astonishing 155 bases. Tuesday’s 7:05pm game is another AAA Membership Card Night. At every Tuesday home game in 2013, fans who show their AAA Membership Card can buy one Terrace Reserved ticket and get one, courtesy of AAA Carolinas.

Wells Fargo presents the 7:05pm game on Wednesday, June 19. Man’s best friend gets run of the DBAP that night during the second Bark in the Park event this season. Four-legged Bulls fans and their owners can get tickets for $10.99 in a special pet section of the Outfield Reserved, or $25 tickets that include a 2-hour all-you-can-eat buffet. $5 of each Bark in the Park ticket purchase goes to benefit Second Chance Pet Adoptions. Tickets for the pet section at Bark in the Park can be ordered online at durhambulls.com using the promo code BARK. New for 2013, both human and canine fans will be treated to several in-game performances by the K9 Crew Frisbee Dogs.

The homestand and series with Louisville concludes with a fun-filled 7:05pm game on Thursday, June 20, presented by the North Carolina Education Lottery.  Thursday’s finale is ‘90s Night at the DBAP, featuring an all-out tribute to the decade that brought us grunge, the spread of mainstream hip hop, The Simpsons and Beverly Hills, 90210. Once again, $1 concession items and College Night specials will be available.

The Durham Bulls return home to the DBAP on Thursday, June 13 to begin an eight game homestand featuring visits from the Indianapolis Indians and Louisville Bats. Tickets for all home games are available at durhambulls.com, by phone at 919.956.BULL, or at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park box office.

Durham is a great place to catch a baseball game. Discover more about Durham.

Nuke Dog Advances to Final Four of MiLB Foodfight

In baseball, fans are always wondering who will be top dog. Now Durham Bulls fans have to ask which dog will be top dog.

After two weeks of intense online voting, the Durham Bulls’ Nuke Dog has advanced to the final round of Minor League Baseball’s #FoodFight, a competition to decide the best ballpark concession item in the Nation.  The Nuke Dog topped stiff opposition in the “Hogs N Dogs” bracket to move on to the finals, and the spicy frank will now face off against three other category winners to for title of #FoodFight Champion.

A culinary tribute to the 25th anniversary of Bull Durham, the super-spicy Nuke Dog debuted at Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Opening Day 2013. Named for fireball-throwing Ebby Calvin "Nuke" LaLoosh, it's a classic Carolina Packers red hot dog with crushed red pepper as an added ingredient.  It's also topped with the award-winning, all-natural "Get Me a Switch" spicy relish from locally based Cottage Lane Kitchen.

The Nuke Dog will now compete against three other International League finalists for the overall #FoodFight crown: Gwinnett’s “Knucksie” sandwich, Toledo’s “Fantastic Freeze Sundae” and Lehigh Valley’s “Aw Shucks” Roasted Corn.

Final round voting is live now through Thursday, June 6. Fans can vote as many times as they would like online or via Twitter, by following @MiLB then tweeting the hashtag #FoodFight and including “Nuke Dog” or mentioning the Durham Bulls. Retweets of the official @DurhamBulls twitter account count as votes as well.

Fans can get a taste of the Nuke Dog during the current Bulls homestand, which continues tonight through Monday, June 3rd.  Tickets for all home games are available at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park box office, by phone at 919.956.BULL or online at durhambulls.com.

Learn why Durham is where great things happen.

Yankees Affiliate Makes Only Visit of Year in Big Homestand

Bison, RailRiders, and Fireworks, oh my!  It's sure to be a great Memorial Day at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham.

The Buffalo Bisons and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders make their only visits of the season during the Durham Bulls next homestand, beginning Monday, May 27. A special 5:05pm start on Memorial Day, an appearance by the Russian Bar Trio and Friday Night Fireworks highlight the eight game event schedule.

A day after the ACC Baseball Championship concludes at the DBAP, the Bulls return home on Memorial Day to begin a four game series against the Buffalo Bisons, Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays.  A special holiday first pitch on May 27 is set for 5:05pm.

Tuesday’s 7:05pm game is another AAA Membership Card Night. At every Tuesday home game in 2013, fans who show their AAA Membership Card can buy one Terrace Reserved ticket and get one, courtesy of AAA Carolinas.  The 7:05pm game on Wednesday, May 29 is presented by DPAC.

On Thursday, May 30, Bayer CropScience presents a fun-filled series finale between the Bisons and Bulls. Back by popular demand, the Russian Bar Trio returns to the DBAP Thursday to entertain fans during several between-inning performances (Watch video here). In addition, Thursday home games at the DBAP (with the exception of July 4) feature $1 Bright Leaf hot dogs, popcorn and fries. Thursday is also College Night, where students can get a Terrace Reserved ticket and $5 in Bulls Bucks for just $10 or an Outfield Reserved ticket for only $4.99 by entering the promo code COLLEGE (and using a valid .edu email address) when purchasing tickets online at durhambulls.com.

The new look affiliate of the New York Yankees begin their only Durham visit of 2013 on Friday, May 31. The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders and Bulls get underway at 7:05pm on Friday night, in a game presented by the North Carolina Education Lottery. Fans will be treated to a Diamond Cutters performance during the game and Friday Night Fireworks immediately following the series opener.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC presents Saturday’s 7:05pm game between the newly named RailRiders and Bulls.  On Sunday, June 2, Kids Run the Bases following a 5:05pm game thanks to Pepsi.  The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre series and the homestand conclude on Monday, June 3 with the final midweek day game of the season, as the two teams get underway at 1:05pm.

The Durham Bulls return home to the DBAP on Monday, May 27 to begin an eight game homestand featuring visits from the Buffalo Bisons and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Tickets for all home games are available at durhambulls.com, by phone at 919.956.BULL, or at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park box office.

For more great things to do in Durham, visit www.durham-nc.com.

Bracket Released for 2013 ACC Baseball Championship at the DBAP

Until now, it has been a mystery.  Who will the Durham Bulls meet in the 2013 ACC Baseball Championship at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park?

Well fans, wonder no more.

The Atlantic Coast Conference today announces the bracket for the 2013 ACC Baseball Championship to be hosted at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park May 22-26. Pool-play is headlined by a local match up between top seeded North Carolina and No. 4 seed NC State on Saturday night at 7:00pm.

Under the pool-play format, each team will play one game against each of the other three opponents in its division Wednesday through Saturday (May 22-25). The two teams with the best records within their respective division brackets will advance to the title game on Sunday, May 26, with the winner earning the ACC’s automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.

UNC (47-8, 21-7) earned the No. 1 overall seed and will head up Division A. The Tar Heels will be joined by fourth-seeded NC State (42-13, 19-10), fifth-seeded Clemson (39-17, 18-12) and eighth-seeded Miami (35-21, 14-16).

Florida State (44-11, 20-10) earned the No. 2 overall seed and will be joined in Division B by third-seeded Virginia (45-9, 22-8), sixth-seeded Virginia Tech (35-19, 15-14) and seventh-seeded Georgia Tech (33-24, 15-15).

Game times Wednesday through Saturday are set for 11:00am, 3:00pm and 7:00pm. Sunday’s championship game will begin at 1:00pm.

Single-game tickets and full tournament passes are available now at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park box office, by phone at 919.956.BULL or online.

For more information about the ACC Baseball Tournament in Durham, visit this site.

Single-Game Tickets for ACC Baseball Championship Now On Sale

Now is the best time to take mom, dad, and the whole family out to the ball game in Durham.

Single-game tickets for all 13 games of the 2013 Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Championship are now on sale. The eight-team tournament will be played Wednesday, May 22 through Sunday, May 26 at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

The round-robin, pool play tournament will feature three games on Wednesday through Saturday at 11am, 3pm and 7pm. The championship game on Sunday, May 26 is set for a 1pm start.

Single-game tickets on Wednesday through Saturday are $10 per game, while tickets for Sunday’s championship game are priced at $15.  Adult passes for the full 13-game tournament may also be purchased for $130.

The ACC Baseball Championship annually features many of the nation's top-ranked teams. The ACC placed seven teams in the 2012 NCAA Tournament field, and a total of 15 ACC teams have reached the College World Series over the past seven seasons. The 2012 season marked the ninth straight year that at least six ACC teams had been selected for NCAA postseason play and the 11th consecutive year that at least five conference teams were chosen.

This season finds four ACC teams currently ranked among the nation’s top 10 in the major national polls (North Carolina as high as No. 1, NC State as high as No. 5, and Florida State and Virginia as high as No. 7). Clemson currently holds a No. 16 national ranking, while Virginia Tech checks in at No. 22 and Georgia Tech at No. 30.

Located downtown with a seating capacity of 10,000, Durham Bulls Athletic Park serves as home to the Tampa Bay Rays Triple-A affiliate and has been the host venue for the ACC Baseball Championship on five prior occasions (1996, 1998, 1999, 2009 and 2011). The ballpark reflects many characteristics of old-time parks and the historic downtown Durham architecture. A 32-foot-high wall stands in left field 305 feet from home plate, resembling Fenway Park's Green Monster. The Blue Monster, as it is called in Durham, contains a similar old-style manual scoreboard. The ballpark's most distinctive feature is the Snorting Bull that stands tall above the Blue Monster. The Bull was modeled after the bull used in the 1988 film, Bull Durham.
A roof covers approximately 2,500 seats behind home plate and down both the first and third base lines to the end of each dugout. All seats at the DBAP are extra wide with seat backs, extra leg room and over 95 percent of the seats have cup holders. The stadium was designed and built so that every seat gives fans a great view of the field with an intimate ballpark feel.

To purchase single-game or full-tournament passes to the 2013 ACC Baseball Championship, call the Durham Bulls ticket office at 919-956-BULL or order online at durhambulls.com.

Visit www.durham-nc.com for more information about Durham.