Fill that Bus!

Durham's Rotary Clubs are attempting to fill a bus with school supplies. $50,000 worth of crayons, notebook paper, markers, pencils, glue sticks...for Durham teachers and their students.

60% of the kids in the Durham public schools live at or near the poverty level. Their parents, struggling to make ends meet, are hard-pressed to provide back-to-school gear. That's why our teachers reportedly spend $500-$1000 - of their own money - for classroom supplies each school year.

This drive ends on August 3rd. 175 local businesses and organizations are donation drop-off sites. Click here for more info on the Rotarians' project. Help them fill the bus with school supplies on Saturday!

Promoting FILL THAT BUS at the ballpark and accepting a Rotary Foundation grant: Phil Kearney, President of Southwest Durham Rotary. Crayons2Calculators Board Member and DPS parent Nakira Carter and her daughter Kayden Carter, a rising 1st grader. C2C Board Member Signe Brown, a 44 year teaching veteran.

A tip of the ball cap to Durham veterinarian Joyce McKinney. She's in a regional leadership position with the Rotary Clubs, tirelessly organizing and promoting this service project.

BIENVENIDO! ...to visiting Cuban baseball players.

WELCOME!  …to the Cuban National Team visiting the Triangle for two games, tonight in Cary at the USA Baseball Training Complex and Tuesday at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, against America’s college all-stars.

This “friendship series” has a 35 year history, but it has been 17 years since Cuba played in the U.S.

When we recruited USA Baseball to the Triangle ten years ago, this is the type of international event we had in mind. The team has played in Des Moines and Omaha, Cary tonight and the finale is tomorrow in downtown Durham. We will conclude with fireworks befitting an international celebration!

Speaking of fireworks, NC State’s Carlos Rodon is on the mound Tuesday. The last time he pitched here was Memorial Day weekend in that classic ACC tournament game with UNC. 6 hours. 18 innings. Record crowd. I’m expecting more of that Rodon magic as he dons a USA jersey and plays in front of a hometown crowd. Team USA also features Rodon’s Wolfpack teammate Trea Turner and Carolina standout Skye Bolt.

Join us at the DBAP Tuesday evening!

Turf Futures

Expecting parents proudly share their ultrasound photos. This is in that category - sort of.

Bulls' Head Groundskeeper Scott Strickland is boasting about this shot taken at Sandhill Turf farm in Candor NC. It's a field of Tifway 419 Bermuda grass. Two acres are on order for the DBAP. Our turf will be replaced this winter as the playing surface is completely renovated - one of the capital improvements planned by the City of Durham.

Actually, you are looking a twins. The grass on the right is headed to Durham. The turf to the left is under contract to the Charlotte Knights for their new ballpark.

Food Truck Phenoms

Eight food trucks cued up on the Diamond View Plaza for Wednesday night's game. It was an overcast, steamy evening, but fans flocked to the ballpark for our first DBAP Food Truck Fest. It was definitely a home run! 

Our walk-up ticket sales were 50% better than usual, and we attribute about one third of the Wednesday night crowd to food truck aficionados. 

Lines are the bane of our existence in this business, but that didn't bother the food truck fans. They patiently waited their turn for burgers, 'cue, grilled cheese, crepes and cupcakes. The lines persisted into the sixth inning. (This may be the first time crepes have been served at the DBAP!?!)

This is quite a phenomenon, and it helps to explain why Southern Living has named Durham "The South's Tastiest Town."

Participants at the DBAP Food Truck Fest included Only Burger, Chirba Chirba, Parlez-Vous Crepe, Sweet Stacey Cakes, BaguettAboutIt, Porchetta, The Humble Pig, and American Melt Down.  

Record-breaking Independence Day

Thank you! ...for filling the DBAP to capacity on July 4th. It was a record crowd: 11,754. That's 80 more fans than we entertained on Independence Day 2010, the previous record.

Here are some outstanding memories from the camera of Brian Fleming...

Fixin's for the Fourth

I had lunch at Parker & Otis yesterday, and I was pleasantly surprised to see our Triple Play 'cue sauce on display...along with Stonewall Kitchen's Ballpark Mustard and The Great American Hot Dog Book. From the latter, I learned that Americans eat 20 billion hot dogs annually. Have at it!!! ...and have a great Independence Day Holiday!!!

Parker & Otis website

Tonight's Durham Bulls game is SRO, but we will do it all over again Friday, fireworks included, at 7p. Join us in downtown Durham for a big bite of Americana!