NCG @ ABQ

We ventured west last week for the Triple-A National Championship Game in Albuquerque. The Columbus Clippers claimed the title for the second consecutive year beating the Omaha Storm Chasers, 8-3.

The Albuquerque Isotopes (LA Dodgers affiliate) hosted the game, and they rolled out the red carpet at their ballpark and the Sandia Resort and Casino. In addition to the baseball, there was southwest music and cuisine, a tequila tasting (solely to appreciate the local culture), casino gaming, golf and a hot air balloon excursion.

Molly Boyce, the Bulls' Sponsorship Services Coordinator, shares her photos...

The Isotopes owe their name to the region's renown

for nuclear research - the Los Alamos and Sandia National Labs.

The ballpark is framed by the Sandia Mountains.

(It reminded me of July's Triple-A All-Star Game in Salt Lake City.)

Albuquerque Isotopes web site; click here.

Columbus became the second team to claim back-to-back titles

in the six-year history of the Triple-A National Championship Game.

Game story; click here.

Something you don't normally see at the ballpark - Bananas Foster.

Bulls' GM Mike Birling couldn't get enough.

Molly did the hot air balloon ride.

Nice view of the Rio Grande. (I wimped out.)

The Bulls are hosting the Triple-A Championship next year. It's quite an honor. The event hasn't been held on the east coast, and we're looking forward to entertaining the International and Pacific Coast League team executives in the Bull City. I'm hoping it's a home game for the Bulls!?!

Church at the Ballpark

Another post-season event at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park...

The Summit Church meets at five different locations in the Triangle, and the entire RDU congregation - with guests - were invited to the DBAP on Sunday morning. 6700 people attended the outdoor service!

The Summit's Church at the Ballpark website

Live United - 2011

The Triangle’s United Way campaign for 2011 officially began last Thursday with a kick-off at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.

I’m a volunteer (a crusader, actually) in Durham County, and I visited this week with three RTP companies that have exemplary campaigns.

At BASF their effort got a jump-start today with a ping-pong and foosball tournament. Campaign leader Scott Dominy brings great enthusiasm to the cause. The BASF staff is a strong supporter of the Give United Fund.

United Way is part of the culture at GENBAND and DuPont Electronics and Communications. DuPont’s Division President David Miller sets a strong example, as is the case with Jeff Townley, President of Operations at GENBAND. Janet Perry at GENBAND and Kay Long at DuPont lead the campaigns.

Eighty-two United Way partner agencies and their 149 programs touch one in every three citizens of our community, Durham, Johnston, Orange and Wake counties. I’ve been involved with the campaign for a decade, and we used to say one in four people received services. Obviously, with high unemployment the demand is greater than ever - about 490,000 people last year.

You probably saw the story this week that America’s poverty rate is 15%, the highest it’s been since 1993. People are struggling, and the United Way is on the case!

The Neverending Om

The playoffs and our season came to an end Friday night in Columbus. It was a three-game sweep for Clippers, the defending National Champs. (Click here for the game story.)

However, the Durham Bulls Athletic Park is not closed for the season. 350 yoga enthusiasts filled the outfield Saturday morning.

lululemon athletica stores across North America, Canada, Australia and the UK hosted a complimentary, outdoor, all-levels yoga practice to celebrate the global yoga community. The event was dubbed The Neverending Om.

I must confess to sleeping in Saturday, but I did check in via our web cam...

Yoga...wedding...children's party...reception...team building...even church. Plan your next event at the DBAP with help from Mary Beth Warfford. And click here for more info.

Playoffs Wednesday and Thursday

Durham Bulls vs. Columbus Clippers (defending National Champions)
Wednesday & Thursday, 7:05
Team & ticket info

Tampa Bay Online took note of our successful season on Monday...



There is nothing small about Tampa Bay's minor-league system.

The Triple A-Durham Bulls clinched its fifth consecutive title with a 4-1 win against Norfolk (Orioles) on Friday night. Durham's recent success can be attributed to Charlie Montoyo, who has managed the team for five consecutive seasons.

In addition, Durham has won 10 division titles in its 14 years as a Rays affiliate.

"That's our life blood between scouting and the minor-league developmental process," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "It's what we need to be all about. Having been a minor-league grunt for so many years, I really appreciate all that. I understand that, I get it and I think it's great.

"We've been able to homogenize what we've been doing here the last couple of years. We've had some really severe meetings, not this spring training, but the one before, and had everybody involved. We tried to unify our base running, our outfield, our middle infield, our hitting and really try to get on the same page throughout the organization."

The results were evident this season.

Tampa Bay called up 14 players from Durham this season, while four others started on the major roster before being sent down. Click here for more.

Visit durhambulls.com for ticket info.

Division Champs! Playoffs begin Wednesday.

The Bulls have won the South Division Championship for the fifth straight year in the International League. The clincher up in Virginia Friday night: Six solid innings from pitcher Matt Moore and a two-run homer from Dan Johnson as the Bulls beat the Tides 4-1 on the Norfolk waterfront. Click here for the game story.


The play-offs begin at home on Wednesday, presented by Sport Durst Automotive Group. Visit our website for ticket info. We play the Columbus Clippers. There's work to do. They have the best record in the IL.


Join us on Wednesday at the DBAP. The season isn't over. I'm hoping we can extend it for two more weeks!