Saturday, September 28, 2013

Ballpark Voyeur



We have installed a new and improved, HD webcam overlooking the ballpark. You can watch the DBAP improvements take shape. Spy on installation of the new seats and the turf replacement project.  The coolest feature is the time-lapse mode that's recording 24/7. Check it out and bookmark the URL.


The off-season is on!


It was a season to remember: 
  • Watching Will Myers and Chis Archer promoted to Tampa Bay
  • Retiring Chipper Jones’ jersey number
  • Strong attendance despite soggy weather
  • Record apparel sales
  • A League Championship!!!
Thanks for your patronage, and I just saw the TV ratings for the Triple-A National Championship Game. Over 114,000 of you were watching - better than any other TV market in the nation! Again, we appreciate your support of the team and our business.

The off-season will be memorable, too. A $17 million dollar renovation is underway, and we have vacated the premises for the winter.

We have moved out of the store and offices, temporarily relocating 
to the 1st floor of the Diamond View I building.

The Blue Monster video screen will be replaced 
 by a 3X larger HD display.

The old school signs have been removed from the outfield wall. 
New video screens will be installed this winter.

When we return next April, in addition to the video screen improvements, you will notice…
  • New turf, drainage and irrigation systems
  • New field lighting
  • New seats
  • New terrace boxes in the outfield section
  • Revamped concessions with new food & beverage offerings
  • A new club for season ticket holders 
I didn't want you to think we were relaxin' during the off-season. There's work to be done!

A New DBAP | April 2014

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Champions!


For the fourth time in this young century the Durham Bulls have won the Governors' Cup, the International League Championship. A 7-0 victory over Pawtucket Saturday night clinched a second Cup for Bulls' Manager Charlie Montoyo. (His first one came in 2009.) Read the game story at milb.com.

This is remarkable to me when you think back to the 2012 season. The team went 66-78, and it included a brutal, historic losing streak. The Tampa Bay Rays told us it could be two years before the Bulls were competitive as top prospects moved up through the farm system. Under promise. Over deliver.

What a turnaround! Finishing at .604 ...and at one point we had the best record in all of professional baseball, majors and minors.

Bulls win the IL Championship Saturday night in Pawtucket. 

The celebration continues 
in the visitor's clubhouse.

GM Mike Birling hugs the Govs' Cup, 
the 4th during his tenure.

ONE MORE GAME: The Gildan Triple-A National Championship is Tuesday night, hosted by the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs in Allentown PA. 

The Bulls will play the Pacific Coast League champions, the Omaha Storm Chasers. It's a one game, winner-take-all contest for the championship of Triple-A baseball on national TV.

It airs on the NBC Sports Channel at 7:00 eastern. Stay tuned...

Saturday, September 14, 2013

14 Innings. 5.5 Hours.


...and 16 pitchers comprised a classic game last night in Pawtucket. The Durham Bulls are one game away from their fourth Governors' Cup Championship!!! 


Find out what a plate of tomatoes had to do with the victory. Read Adam Sobsey's report in Saturday's Herald-Sun.

Monday, September 9, 2013

The Governors' Cup - within our grasp


Championship baseball resumes at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park Tuesday night as the Bulls play Pawtucket in game one of the International League Championship...and the coveted Governors' Cup is up for grabs. There's some serious history with this trophy.


The Governors' Cup dates back to 1933, and the original trophy is on display at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. The Bulls have been fortunate enough to display this hardware by virtue of league championships in 2002, 2003 and 2009. 

Back in '03, we beat Pawtucket to claim the Cup. Triangle baseball aficionados know that Pawtucket is Boston's Triple-A farm club. I'm pretty sure Red Sox Nation is the biggest MLB fan base in our area, and we'll see a lot of Boston caps and jerseys in the DBAP Tuesday and Wednesday. We're glad to have you!

Hoping for another championship ring to go with 
the Governors' Cup! More on Championship Bling.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Playoffs begin: Durham vs. Indy


Put football season on hold for just a few days. We are still playin' baseball...augmented this week by Food Trucks and Craft Beer. (Details below.)

As I was watching this playoff video on YouTube an ad popped up for Ashford University. I thought it was part of the video because it said Achievement Belongs to Everyone. So true! Our superlative season really belongs to Durham and our fans across the Triangle.

Join us at the DBAP. Let's try to squeeze a two more weeks out of the 2013 season. Got tickets? Achievement belongs to everyone!



FIRST ROUND PLAYOFF GAMES HIGHLIGHTED BY FOOD TRUCKS, CRAFT BEER
DBAP Food Truck Fest: Playoff Edition And Craft Beer Rodeo On Tap

DURHAM, NC – The International League South Division Champion Durham Bulls today announce 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 at durhambulls.com.

#DURHAM BULLS – FAMOUS FOR FUN#