Durham to Host ACC Baseball Championships 2015- 2018

Durham and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) seem to have a match made in heaven for baseball fans. The ACC and the Durham Bulls have announced the ACC Baseball Championship will be held at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park from 2015 through 2018, covering  four championships.

The ACC Baseball Championship has been held in Durham eight times previously, including three of the past five years. In 2013, tournament records for single-game attendance (11,329) and championship game attendance (8,697) were set. The 2013 championship drew 58,454 fans, the fourth highest total in league history.

Earning this business in Durham carries big impact.  According to a calculation by the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau, these games will bring $12 million over 4 years, and the games will bring this at a time when Durham is otherwise rather quiet. This is good news overall, especially for Downtown Durham, and the five new hotels either under construction, or soon to be, in that vicinity.

Learn more about all of the community's sports opportunities on the Durham Event Calendar.

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.

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.

Bulls Fans Can Now Book a Ticket to Wilville

Durham is home to the most famous AAA baseball team in the world - The Durham Bulls. While watching a baseball game at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park always gives viewers expansive views of the field, sometimes fans just want to see their favorite player.

The Durham Bulls have announced the creation of WilVille, a seating section at Durham Bulls Athletic Park designed to give fans an up-close and personal look at 2012 Minor League Player of the Year Wil Myers.

Beginning with the Bulls home game on April 17, fans can sit in the themed section located at field level down the right field line (Field Reserved section 122), adjacent to Myers’ most frequent playing position.  Each ticket in WilVille will come with an exclusive t-shirt (photos attached) and $5 in concessions credit for just $20.

“You don’t get to see a prospect like Wil Myers every day,” said Bulls General Manager Mike Birling.  “WilVille not only gives fans a chance to commemorate his time in Durham, but it’s also an incredible value.”

Myers, a Thomasville, NC native, was the Tampa Bay Rays’ key acquisition in an offseason trade which sent James Shields and Wade Davis to Kansas City. The 22 year-old looks to build on a historic 2012 campaign where he was named Minor League Player of the Year by Baseball America, USA Today, and Topps/Minor League Baseball.  Myers blasted 37 home runs last season, second most in all of Minor League Baseball, becoming just the third player in history to homer that many times above the Single-A level before turning 22.  He is currently the only Bull with a hit in each game he’s played so far this season.

The Durham Bulls continue their season opening homestand today at the DBAP against the Gwinnett Braves at 1:05pm. WilVille tickets, and tickets for all 2013 home games, are on sale now at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park box office, by calling 919.956.BULL or visiting their website.

Click here for more about Durham, NC.

Montoyo, Entire Staff To Return For Bulls In 2013

Durham Bulls fans now have another reason to celebrate this baseball season.  Team favorites will be staying put for at lest a little while.

The Durham Bulls, in conjunction with the Tampa Bay Rays, today announce Charlie Montoyo will return for his seventh season in Durham and 16th managing in the Rays organization. Pitching Coach Neil Allen, Hitting Coach Dave Myers and Athletic Trainer Mike Sandoval will all return to the Bulls bench in 2013.

Montoyo, 48, boasts a 471-392 (.546) record in six seasons with the Bulls, including five division titles, a Governors' Cup Championship and Triple-A National Title (2009). Just 29 victories short of 500 in his tenure as Durham’s skipper, the native Puerto Rican trails only International League Hall of Famer Bill Evers (613) in career wins as Bulls manager.

A veteran of 11 Major League seasons during his own pitching career, Allen returns to the Bulls for his third campaign. The 54-year old Kansas native has guided an impressive crop of Durham hurlers, including Matt Moore, Alex Cobb and Chris Archer, to their Tampa Bay Rays debuts.

Myers, 52, begins his fifth season presiding over the Bulls offense.  Prior to becoming a part of the Rays organization, the Temple University alum spent 26 seasons in the Mariners system including four years (2001-04) as third base and infield coach at the Major League level.

Sandoval rejoins the Bulls for his second campaign after spending 25 years in the Pittsburgh Pirates system, including 10 seasons as assistant athletic trainer with the major league club.

The Durham Bulls begin the 2013 International League season on the road before returning to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park on April 8th for their home opener against the Gwinnett Braves. The “Wil He, Won’t He?” 3 Game Ticket Pack, 9-Game Mini Plans, season tickets, and group outings are on sale now at durhambulls.com, the DBAP ticket office, or by phone at 919.956.BULL.

For more information about recreation and sports in Durham, click here.

Durham Bulls Athletic Park To Host 2013 ACC Baseball Championship

One of the ways Durham is known is as the City of Champions.  So then it would only seem fitting to be host to the ACC Baseball Championship in 2013 at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.


The round-robin, pool-play tournament will showcase the top eight ACC teams and will feature three games on May 22-25 (Wednesday through Saturday). The championship game between the two pool winners will be played on Sunday afternoon.

The ACC Baseball Championship annually features many of the nation's top-ranked teams. The ACC placed seven teams in the 2010 NCAA Tournament field, and a total of 15 ACC teams have reached the College World Series over the past six 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.

Located in Downtown Durham with a seating capacity of 10,000, the Durham Bulls Athletic Park (DBAP) 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).

Passes for this tournament are available now online here.  Individual tickets will go on sale at a later date.  To get more information about planning a visit to Durham for this sports spectacle, have a look at Durham online.

Durham Bulls Fan Fest 2012 Kicks Off New Baseball Season

Among the many ways Durham, NC is known is by the ever-inspiring moniker City of Champions, and the hometown Durham Bulls are a great contributor to that reputation.  So every year as Winter's (wimpy, this year) grip loosens and the sun's rays warm the earth a bit, thoughts turn to baseball.

As Spring Training camps open for Major League teams, a new baseball season has arrived in Durham and the Triangle.   To kick off the season, the Durham Bulls will host Fan Fest 2012 on Friday, March 2nd and Saturday, March 3rd from 11:00am to 2:00pm at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The annual event serves as the opening day of ticket sales, giving fans their first opportunity to purchase individual game tickets. 

During Fan Fest 2012, fans will have exclusive access to one of the most celebrated ballparks in Minor League Baseball when they can take batting practice and play catch on the field at the DBAP. The Bulls box office will be open during the event, selling tickets for individual games including Opening Day on April 5th and the 4th of July fireworks extravaganza. By purchasing at least one ticket to a 2012 regular season Bulls game at Fan Fest, fans will get a free lunch at the concession stands.

A special Pepsi Ticket Package will be available at Fan Fest 2012, including four tickets to any regular season Bulls game, four Bulls caps and four six-packs of Pepsi for only $48.

Other events scheduled for Fan Fest 2012 include:

• Wool E. Bull posing for pictures and signing autographs
• Up to 50% off selected Bulls merchandise in the Ballpark Corner Store, including select fitted caps
• Full range of inflatables for young Bulls fans to enjoy
• Select-a-Seat event highlighting available season ticket and mini-plan seat locations

The Durham Bulls open 2012 International League play at home on Thursday, April 5th when they host the Gwinnett Braves. Season ticket and mini-plan packages are now available on the Durham Bulls website or by calling 919.956.BULL.

Durham Bulls Manager Returns for 6th Season

It looks like Durham will again be one of the best spots in the world to see the boys of summer do their thing - the Durham Bulls top-notch head coach has signed on for another season.  

The Durham Bulls today announced Charlie Montoyo will return for his sixth season in Durham and 15th managing in the Rays organization. Pitching coach Neil Allen returns for his second year with the Bulls and sixth season in the Rays organization. Coach Dave Myers starts his fourth year with the Rays organization, all with the Bulls. Mike Sandoval joins the organization as the Bulls athletic trainer.

Montoyo boasts a 405-314 in five seasons with the Bulls, including five division titles, a Governors' Cup Championship and National Title. The Bulls lost in the Governor’s Cup playoffs last season losing to the eventual National Champion, Columbus Clippers for the 2nd straight season.

Allen returns to the Bulls after an extremely successful first year. Neil guided top prospects Matt Moore, Alex Cobb and Alex Torres to the Rays in which each made significant contributions in the Rays run to the postseason.

Myers returns for his fourth season after presiding over an offense that produced the International League’s MVP for the 2nd consecutive season. This past year it was Russ Canzler and in 2010 it was Dan Johnson.  Sandoval joins the Bulls after spending the previous 25 years in the Pittsburgh Pirates system including the last 10 seasons as assistant athletic trainer with the major league club. He replaces Joe Benge who was promoted to minor league medical training coordinator for the Rays.

The Bulls open the home portion of the 2012 season on Thursday, April 5th against the Gwinnett Braves at 7:05 PM. Season tickets, mini plans and group tickets are on sale now.

Great baseball is only one of the many things to do when visiting Durham.  See the Durham website for more information and go see why it's called the place where great things happen.

Durham Bulls Release 2012 Schedule

The Durham Bulls today announced the release of their 2012 schedule. For the first time since 2009 the Bulls will begin their season at home on Thursday, April 5^th against division-rival Gwinnett Braves at 7:05 PM.

Capping the 2012 season is the Triple-A National Championship game to be held at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Tuesday, September 18^th at 7:05 PM. It will mark the first time in almost 30 years the Triple-A Championship will be held east of the Mississippi River.

“Even though this past week we fell a little short of our expectations for this season we are really excited about the schedule and National Championship game next season,” Durham Bulls General Manager Mike Birling said, “It’s a great schedule for the fans which hopefully will feature a league-record sixth straight division title.”

The schedule has several favorable features, including:

• A family-friendly, 64% of home dates in April on weekends
• Both Pawtucket (Boston Red Sox) and Scranton Wilkes-Barre (New York Yankees) visit the DBAP with games on $1 Thursdays and Friday night fireworks.
• A July 4^th matchup with the Norfolk Tides
• 11 of the final 16 games at home against divisional opponents.

The Bulls are currently taking registrations for 2012 season ticket information here. For more information, call the season ticket office at (919) 956-BULL.

Durham Bullls to Host 2012 National Championship Game

The Durham Bulls and their namesake Athletic Park in Downtown Durham were today announced as the site of the 2012 National Championship Game to be held Thursday, September 20th, 2012.  Held most recently in Oklahoma City from 2006 to 2010 and Albuquerque this year, the event is expected to bring more than 10,000 visitors and representatives of 30 baseball teams to Durham over the two day span of the event.

The Bulls are the most famous team in Triple A baseball and The Durham Bulls Athletic Park, modeled after Camden Yards and tucked into a bustling downtown district adjacent to dining, is a popular destination for visitors and residents alike.  Games have an average of 7,000 attendees and approximately 10 sell out per year, according to the team's spokesperson.

"This is an exciting opportunity for the Bulls and Durham," said Shelly Green, President and CEO of the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau. "We estimate approximately $2.5 million in visitor spending from this event and we are hugely appreciative of the hard work the Bulls did to bring next year's National Championship Game to Durham, " she added.

At the announcement of this game, Randy Mobley, International League President, of which the Bulls are a part, said "I made no secret of my fandamonium for this area and this ball club, and did all in my power to keep encouraging them.  Fortunately, it worked out," with regard to bringing the game to Durham. 

The game will be held in a different city each year as of this year, and Durham quickly rose to the top of the list of considered locations.  Mike Birling, General Manager of the Bulls continually referred to Durham as "The City of Baseball" given the number of events and entities related to the sport that make their home here.

Also announced at today's event is that Bulls player Russ Canzler is the 2011 International League MVP, the fitth Durham Bull in 14 years to do so.

Bulls Hit 6000 Wins in 18-3 Blow Out Against Charlotte

Durham's 6000th win as a franchise was arguably the team's most impressive this season, 18-3 at Charlotte on Tuesday night. Matt Moore struck out nine in five shutout innings and had more than enough offensive support.

Moore (2-0) didn't allow a runner past first base, fanning nine and allowing three singles and a walk.

Durham (61-47) had all it would need by the end of the third inning. Durham took advantage of a pair of walks to start the first, scoring two against Joe Bisenius (3-1) on a Stephen Vogt groundout and a Dan Johnson single.

The Bulls knocked Bisenius out after three, scoring five in the third on a Russ Canzler RBI single, a three-run double from Nevin Ashley and a J.J. Furmaniak base hit.

Durham tied a season-high with 18 runs, as Canzler, Johnson and Reid Brignac all homered. Canzler had four hits and Johnson four RBI. Vogt belted three doubles and newcomer Matt Carson was on base three times.

Durham now has scored 18 runs in each of its last two road games, after collecting 27 total runs in the previous nine home games combined.

Durham now has a one-game lead over Gwinnett in the South Division with 34 games remaining. The Braves fell 4-3 in 10 innings to Indianapolis.

Durham takes on Charlotte again on Wednesday with LHP Alex Torres on the mound against RHP Matt Zaleski. Coverage begins at 7 pm, with first pitch on 620 the Buzz at 7:15.

Durham Bulls Set Triple-A Home Run Record, Blast Rochester 18-3

Well, our hometown team, the Durham Bulls have done it again.  Not only are they the subject of the most popular sports movie of all time and the most popular Triple-A Baseball team in the world, but now they broke a record - so what if it was one of their own.

Dan Johnson went 5-for-6 with one of Durham's Triple-A record seven homers, as the Bulls won 18-3 at Rochester to complete a successful 7-3 road trip. 

Johnson doubled in the first of four first inning runs off Andy Baldwin (5-8).  Russ Canzler then followed that two-base hit with the start of the home-run barrage.  Canzler belted a three-run homer to center, his 12th of the year, for a 4-0 lead.

Durham, which had not hit more than three homers in a game this year, hit four in the second inning to chase Baldwin.  Number eight and nine hitters John Matulia and J.J. Furmaniak went deep back-to-back to start the inning.  Later in the frame Johnson and Daniel Mayora hit two-run shots to make it 10-0.

Nevin Ashley became the sixth different Bull to homer in the fourth inning.  His three-run blast to right-center made it 13-0 and tied Durham's single-game Triple-A record, set on two prior occasions.

Matulia would eventually cap the scoring and set the mark by launching an 0-2 pitch from Dusty Hughes into the right field bullpen in the eight, capping the scoring in the 18-3 victory.  Durham collected 20 hits, setting season highs for hits and runs.

Jim Paduch (1-0) benefited from the run support and went seven innings in his Bulls debut.  Marquise Fleming finished up. 

Durham (55-43) is a season-best 12 games over .500 after the lopsided win and a 7-3 road trip.  Durham heads home in first place in the South Division and begins a 10-game home stand on Friday against Toledo. 

The question is, will there be any seats left for what is bound to be some great baseball? 

Fun Times with the Kids in the Bull City

Durham has a lot to offer those that live, work and visit here.  It is a town with incredible diversity in population, cuisine, and activity, and there are many ways to enjoy the place where great things happen.

Here is a list of some of the options for those visiting Durham with children tow.  Durham's official visitor website has all the information available on things to do for all types of visitor.  Be sure to visit the site as plans to come to Durham take shape.

So, on to the specifics...

Free family activities

Durham Farmers’ Market – Located in Durham Central Park, the Market offers "The Durham Home Fries" a weekly kids-only cooking series throughout the summer.

Music on the Lawn – Hosted by American Tobacco, this family friendly music series runs throughout the summer and features some of music’s most beloved Back Porch Music acts.

Third Friday Art Walk – Free gallery crawl with live music and other performances throughout Durham the third Friday of each month.

Movies in the Park – Durham Central Park hosts a free outdoors, summer film series; the screen hangs from the Farmers’ Market Pavilion. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. Shows start at dark. 

Summer activities for families:

Lemur Center - Research and study center housing 260 prosimian primates, the largest population of lemurs outside of their native Madagascar. Guided walking tour & inside viewing of nocturnal prosimians with unique sound experience by appointment only.

Museum of Life & Science - Preserved natural setting home to black bears, red wolves, and lemurs. Natural observation areas, 750-foot boardwalk, outdoor microscopes, and field cameras look into this dynamic natural landscape, its wildlife, plant life, and supporting habitats. Included with admission to the Museum of Life and Science.

Wheel’s Family Fun Park - 8 1/2 acre park full of family fun. Attractions include roller skating, go-karts, mini-golf, play gym, batting cages and more.

Durham Bulls Athletic Park - The Durham Bulls are the Triple-A Baseball affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. The team plays 144 games per season, 72 at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, overlooking historic Downtown Durham and designed by the architects of Camden Yards.

The Scrap Exchange - Among the Scrap Exchange's offerings are kid-friendly workshops and parties. The creative reuse center promotes creativity, environmental awareness, and community through reuse.

Favorite family parks:

Rock Quarry Park – Home to three picnic facilities, a playground, a large rec center, soccer fields, a spray ground, eight tennis courts, and a baseball field.

Durham Central Park – Arts-themed, community-focused, municipal park in downtown Durham.

West Point on the Eno – Located along the Eno River, the park features a reconstructed 1778 working grist mill with cornmeal for sale, the historic McCown-Mangum House dating to the mid-1800s, the Hugh Mangum Museum of Photography, hiking trails, and amphitheater.

Eno River State Park – Enjoy bird-watching, canoeing/rafting, fishing, hiking, and picnic shelters within 3,900 acres of secluded wilderness along the banks of the Eno River.

American Tobacco Trail - 12 miles of trails from Downtown Durham to NC Hwy 54, then from Massey Chapel Rd to Durham/Chatham County line - perfect for bicycling, hiking, walking, and running.

Duke Forrest - 7,060-acre teaching and research forest of Duke University with a variety of ecosystems represented. Preserved for research and recreation since the 1930s. Hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, and picnics permitted.

City Parks and State Parks - Durham boasts more than 60 city parks and state parks.

For additional information, see the Community Event Calendar for a list of all upcoming family-friendly events in the place where great things happen.

Bulls' Solondz to Call Triple-A All-Star Game

Just seems like great things keep happening in Durham, and to the folks who live and work here.  Today Triple-A Baseball today announced that Durham’s Neil Solondz will call the action from this year’s Triple-A All-Star Game live on the Triple-A All-Star Game Radio Network.  Solondz is in his eighth season as the radio announcer for the Bulls.  It is the first time he has called the Triple-A All-Star Game and the second such honor for a Bulls Broadcaster (Steve Barnes 2003).

Solondz is in his eighth season with the Bulls after working for the Lakewood BlueClaws and Quad City River Bandits. Along with minor league baseball, Solondz worked six years on the Rutgers Radio Network, and has been part of NC State football and basketball broadcasts the past three seasons. Neil has also done several broadcasts of Durham Bulls and USA Baseball games for MLB Network.

The Bulls are the most famous team in Triple A baseball and were the subject of the most famous sports movie of all time, Bull Durham which was filmed in Durham and at the Durham Athletic Park which is ranks 35th of the top 100 sports venues of all time.

U.S. ARMY Selects Durham Bulls Athletic Park for Birthday Celebration

The Durham Bulls in conjunction with the 82nd Airborne today announced plans for the 236th birthday of the United States Army to be celebrated at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Tuesday, June 14th at the Bulls game against the Norfolk Tides at 7:05 PM.

 

Major Jason Brown from the 82nd Airborne's Public Affairs office determined the Durham Bulls game to be an ideal fit for the celebration when he began planning earlier this year.

 

"We wanted to celebrate the birthday of America's Finest Institution with America's Favorite Pastime," Major Brown said, "We're looking forward to a great night and a fantastic celebration."

 

Beginning at around 5:30 PM, fans will have the opportunity to explore high tech army equipment positioned on Blackwell St. in front of the team's box office including:

• An un-manned Arial Vehicle (Shadow) - The Shadow will be set up on a launcher and fans can look through the camera and see what soldiers see when they are flying it.
• A 105 MM Howitzer
• An Armored Humvee with a guided missile launcher (TOW) that fans will be able to climb in and look through the sites.
• A Front Line Ambulance that fans can climb in and check out the medical training equipment
• A fully-armed Infantry squad complete with body armor, night vision and real military weaponry. Fans will be able to try on all the equipment.

During the game, fans will have the opportunity to recognize all active and retired military during a special between-inning ceremony followed by the singing of Happy Birthday. Then during the 7th Inning Stretch, the All-American Chorus from Ft. Bragg will perform God Bless America.

 

"We are honored that our friends at Ft. Bragg selected us for this event," Durham Bulls General Manager Mike Birling said, "This will be a wonderful night to celebrate with our heroes."

 

Active military wishing to attend the game may come for free courtesy of SofSole by showing their active military ID at the box office. Any fan can take advantage of a "Two Tickets for $9" deal courtesy of Whole Foods Market that night at well. For more information, contact the Durham Bulls PR office at (919) 687-6516.

Vote the Durham Bulls Into the Triple-A All-Star Game

Triple-A Baseball and MLB Advanced Media (MLBAM) announced today that online voting is now underway for the 24th annual Triple-A All-Star Game in Salt Lake City, Utah. The online fan balloting, in its sixth consecutive year of a partnership between Triple-A Baseball and MLBAM, continues through Friday, June 24. This year's contest will take place at Spring Mobile Ballpark in Salt Lake City, home of the Pacific Coast League's Salt Lake Bees, on Wednesday, July 13 at 7 p.m. MST. VOTE NOW

Online Triple-A All-Star Balloting is proudly sponsored by Pert Plus, Official Shampoo Partner of the Triple-A All-Star Game. Pert Plus 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner is known for helping users get great, healthy looking hair without the hassle, and can be found in locker rooms of select MiLB teams across the country. For more information about Pert Plus, visit www.facebook.com/pert2in1 and www.pertplus.com. Fan balloting will help determine the starting lineups for both All-Star teams, accounting for one-third of the total vote. Ballots cast by members of the media and each club's field manager, coaches and general manager will account for the other two-thirds.

Fans can register for a chance to win various prizes when they cast their ballots online at the official websites of Minor League Baseball (MiLB.com), the Pacific Coast League (PCLBaseball.com), the International League (ILBaseball.com) and the websites of all 30 Triple-A teams. The online sweepstakes, which is presented by Pert Plus, includes special Triple-A prize packages and MiLB.TV subscriptions.

All fans who participate in the online balloting will be able to vote for players on both the PCL and IL rosters. Fans can select one player for each of the infield positions, three outfielders, a designated hitter and four pitchers - two starters and two relievers. Write-in votes for players not listed on the ballot also will be accepted. Up-to-date statistics and position-by-position comparisons will be available at the click of a mouse to help fans make their selections.

As a new feature this year, fans will also be able to share links to their online ballots through Facebook and Twitter to encourage friends and followers to cast votes for their favorite Triple-A players. Voting updates will be made available weekly for both leagues. Once the balloting period is over, fans can check the aforementioned websites for additional updates and features leading up to the All-Star Game.

The 24th annual Triple-A All-Star Game presented by Zions Bank and Workers Compensation Fund will be broadcast live from Spring Mobile Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, July 13 on MLB Network as well as streamed online at MiLB.TV. On Monday, July 11, the Triple-A Home Run Derby presented by Papa John's will showcase sluggers from the PCL and IL, as well as two Utah high school baseball players.

Ruggiano Again the Difference in Bulls Win

 

Justin Ruggiano was the difference for the second day in a row, smacking a first inning home run to right field off of Indians starter Brian Burres to give the Durham Bulls a 1-0 win.  The home run was the sixth on the season for Ruggiano, and he now has 28 RBI, which ranks him second in the International League.  The shutout was the fourth one put together by the Bulls pitching staff this season in 34 games.

Alex Cobb (4-0) went six innings scattering four hits, walking one, and striking out five, to earn his team leading fourth victory of the season.  His four wins are tied for second in the International League.  JP Howell continued his string of strong performances on his rehab assignment throwing an inning and allowing one hit while striking out two.  Howell has yet to allow a run in three appearances this season for the Bulls.  Jake McGee finished things up for the Bulls going two innings without surrendering a hit, walking one and striking out a season high four, to earn his first save of the season. 

Durham will finish their four game series against Indianapolis at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday May 12 when they will send Alex Torres (2-2 1.44) to the mound against Garrett Olson (1-0 3.09).  The game can be heard on 620 the Buzz, and tickets are available at www.durhambulls.com.

Ruggiano Does It Again

Justin Ruggiano delivered his third walk-off hit of the season with an RBI-single in the 11^th inning giving the Bulls a 2-1 victory on Tuesday night at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.  Robinson Chirinos led off the inning with a single to left field and Leslie Anderson reached base on an error.  After a sacrifice bunt by Omar Luna, Ray Olmedo was walked, and Desmond Jennings flew out to centerfield, before Ruggiano’s game winning hit.

Durham’s other run came in the fourth inning when Anderson singled home Chris Carter to give the Bulls a 1-0 lead.  Edgar Gonzalez put together another quality start on the mound for Durham going seven innings and allowing three hits and one run while walking three and striking out one.  The seven-inning outing equaled his longest of the year. 

Mike Ekstrom (3-1) worked two scoreless innings surrendering four hits and striking out one to earn his third victory of the season.  He is now tied for the team lead in wins.The lone Indianapolis run came in the top of the sixth when Corey Wimberly hit a one-out triple to left-center field and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Pedro Ciriaco.

Durham will continue their four game series against Indianapolis at the Durham Athletic Park at 11:05 a.m. on Wednesday May 11 when they will send ace Alex Cobb (3-0 1.59) to the mound against Brian Burres (1-4 5.34).  The game can be heard on 620 the Buzz, and tickets are available at www.durhambulls.com.

Bulls Rally Falls Short At DAP

The Durham Bulls brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning in the form of Leslie Anderson, but his deep fly to center field was caught to preserve a 7-5 win for the Indianapolis Indians on Monday night at the Historic Durham Athletic Park.

Brandon Guyer led off the Bulls ninth inning with a single and Felipe Lopez then singled to put runners on the corners with no one out.  Guyer scored on a wild pitch cutting the Indians lead to 7-5.  Wood was able to get Chris Carter to pop up to second baseman Josh Harrison, struck out Russ Canzler and then got Anderson to fly out to end the game.  Wood picked up his fifth save of the season.

Carter got the Bulls on the board first with a two-run double off of Indians starter Jose Ascanio in the first inning that scored Ray Olmedo and Ruggiano and gave the Bulls a 2-0 lead.  In the second inning Jose Lobaton hit his third home run of the season to left field to give Durham a 3-2 advantage.  The Bulls added to their lead again in the bottom of the third inning when a Canzler double, Anderson single, and Lobaton single loaded the bases for JJ Furmaniak, who hit a sacrifice fly to give the Bulls a 4-2 lead.

Indianapolis got to Dane De La Rosa (3-2) for five runs on six hits in the seventh and eighth innings.  This included a two-run home run from Adam Lambo in the seventh that tied the game at four.  The Indians added a sacrifice fly in the seventh to grab their first lead of the game 5-4 and would add two more in the eighth.

Garrett Olson (1-0) worked three innings allowing only one hit while walking to and striking out one, to earn his first victory of the season.  Durham will continue their four game series against Indianapolis at the Durham Athletic Park at 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday May 10 when they will send Edgar Gonzalez (2-2 3.69) to the mound against the Rudy Owens (2-3 5.81).