Showing posts tagged “Durham Bulls Athletic Park”

Duke scores eight in the sixth, beats No. 11 North Carolina

Rob Rowe · 13 Mar 2010, 9:27 PM · Comment


duke-unc_game-2_m-baseball_rwr

Duke third baseman Eric Brady swings and misses in the second ACC contest of the year for the Blue Devils. (Photo by Rob Rowe)

DURHAM BULLS ATHLETIC PARK/DURHAM If you saw the box score from last night’s game, you’d be in disbelief - #11 UNC beat Duke 21-9.

Fast-forward eighteen hours, and its Duke with an eight-run inning in front of the largest crowd in Duke coach Sean McNally’s tenure, and possibly in Duke Baseball history - the attendance is at 2,572. The crowd cheers on the Blue Devils to win this one, 15-11.

Eric Pfisterer (2-1, 5.28 ERA coming into today) is on the mound for Duke at the start. Tar Heel starting pitcher Patrick Johnson (2-1, 1.42 ERA coming into today) starts the first three innings and allows UNC to take a 2-1 lead.

Continue reading »

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The DAP reopens, and its glory days are no longer a distant memory

Mike Potter · 15 Aug 2009, 4:07 PM · 2 Comments


dapopen1DURHAM ATHLETIC PARK/DURHAM The old yard may not be back to absolute mint condition, but it sure looks better than it likely has at any point in my lifetime.

Durham Athletic Park, where the Bulls played their home games for - in a “conservative” assessment - well over five decades and the site of the iconic sports movie “Bull Durham,” is open for business and looking awfully good.

The park, constructed in 1939 for about $30,000 with heavy funding from President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration after the original 1926 wooden grandstand burned to the ground, had its grand re-opening on Saturday after a $5.5 Million renovation.

About a thousand people were on hand for the festivities, which included free hot dogs, popcorn peanuts and soft beverages; a church picnic-style softball game that included former Bulls Matt West and David Clay along with ex-Major Leaguers Paul Shuey and Scott Pose; a performance from the “Durham Divas” senior cheerleading squad; and appearances from numerous costumed mascots from around the area.

The event had a sort of family reunion feel to it, as the folks who used to frequent the place in its most recent heyday from 1980-1994 before it fell into such bad disrepair were on hand to celebrate and reminisce.

The park, Continue reading »

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USA finishes off a sweep despite a blast from B.C.

Mike Potter · 29 Jun 2009, 10:55 PM · Comment


uschoice1COLEMAN FIELD/CARY It’s the finale of the big five-game series between the USA National (Collegiate) Team and the high school boys from Canada.

Before the game there’s a huge networking event among a couple of dozen Chamber of Commerce organizations, etc. The Carolina Hurricanes and the Durham Bulls and the Carolina Railhawks all have booths, as do numerous well-known local restaurants. At least what serves as the press meal is healthy tonight - until they bring in the leftover chocolate chip cookies and cinnamon bagels.

Bill Coleman, long-time former Cary town manager, throws the ceremonial pitch on a night the stadium is dedicated in his name. It’s a lot friendlier moniker than the “National Training Complex,” huh?

Early in the game Cary Mayor Pro-Tem Julie Aberg Robison comes into the press box and sits for a bit. I can’t resist picking her brain for a little politics. One thing she points out is the need to raise awareness of what a classy complex the town has put together, and she’s absolutely right.

And since apparently I’m the only local keyboard media type covering this game - which the USA wins 9-3 - the problem is pretty apparent.

Anyway, the game gets going in front of a very polite crowd that seems as if it got lost going to a tennis or golf event. Not like DBAP or even Five County. Those wanting beer had to get it at the networking event.

So it gets going and nobody scores in the first. In the second, the USA run machine fires up. The hosts score two in the second on a hit and an error, then two more in the third with the first RBI hit by Michael Choice (pictured) of Texas-Arlington. Continue reading »

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Team USA Jacks Canadians 14-5

Mike Potter · 27 Jun 2009, 11:18 PM · Comment


usaholtMaybe it was the managerial skills of “Trader Jack” McKeon that inspired a Red, White and Blue comeback on Saturday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

Canada burst out to a 5-0 lead after half an inning, but the USA National Team pounded out 14 hits to claim a 14-5 victory and win its third straight to start the five-game series. Florida State’s Tyler Holt (pictured) reached safely six times with three hits including a pair of doubles with two RBI.

It was also another big day at the 18U Tournament of Stars at the National Training Complex in Cary, as uberprospect Bryce Harper and his American Legion team advanced to today’s 4 p.m. title game against the Babe Ruth team.

In the National Team’s win, Cal State-Fullerton’s Christian Colon had two hits including a triple with two RBI, while Rice’s Rick Hague added two hits including a double with two RBI.

T.J. Walz of Kansas got the win in relief, tallying nine strikeouts and allowing only one hit.

Cody Wheeler of Coastal Carolina is scheduled to pitch for the USA in Game 4 today at 5:05 at DBAP.

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Hague, Cole lead another USA romp; bring on Trader Jack

Mike Potter · 27 Jun 2009, 12:07 AM · Comment


usahagueRick Hague of Rice (pictured) had three hits including a pair of doubles with three RBI, leading a 19-hit attack as Team USA blasted Canada 8-1 at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

Friday night’s win gave the USA victories in the first two games of the five-game set, which began with a 12-4 victory on Thursday night at the National Training Complex in Cary.

The NTC was also the site Friday of the fourth day of the 18U Tournament of Stars, which will see crossover action today.

Team USA will have a special guest manager for tonight’s 7:05 p.m. National Team contest against Canada, as “Trader Jack” McKeon - former manager of the Florida Marlins, Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres, Oakland A’s and Kansas City Royals - will be running the show.

Gerrit Cole of UCLA was the winning pitcher in Friday’s game, striking out 12 against one walk and allowing just three hits in 6 2/3 shutout innings.

Florida State’s Tyler Holt had three hits including a double and scored three runs from the leadoff spot.

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USA opens internationals with easy win over Canadians

Mike Potter · 26 Jun 2009, 12:01 AM · Comment


pomeranzTeam veteran Christian Colon of Cal State-Fullerton led the way with a homer, a double, a single and four RBI as the USA National Team rocked Canada 13-4 in their series opener on Thursday night at the National Training Complex in Cary.

It was a busy day at the NTC, as the 18U Tournament of Stars continued with three games.

In the National Team’s game against Canada, Andy Wilkins of Arkansas added a homer and a single for two RBI for the USA, while Rice’s Rick Hague chipped in a double and a single with an RBI.

Drew Pomeranz of Ole Miss (pictured) was the winning pitcher, striking out 10 against two walks and allowing four hits and one run in four innings.

The Canadians finished with five hits, with Kellin Deglan chipping in a single with two runs scored.

The teams play Game 2 tonight at 7:05 at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

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