Durham Bulls Athletic Park
Encyclopedia
Durham Bulls Athletic Park, frequently called the DBAP , is a ballpark in Durham, North Carolina
that is home to the Durham Bulls
, the AAA affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays
of Major League Baseball
. It is also home to the Duke Blue Devils
and North Carolina Central
Eagles college baseball
teams. The 10,000-seat park was opened in 1995 and is a $16-million brick ballpark. The Bulls began playing at the DBAP in 1995 when the team played in the Class A Advanced Carolina League
. The Bulls then moved up to the Triple-A level in 1998, causing the DBAP to be expanded. The stadium was designed by Populous (formerly HOK Sport), who also designed Camden Yards
in Baltimore, Jacobs Field
in Cleveland, and Coors Field
in Colorado as part of the "new" old-stadium-like movement of the 1990s.
By design, the left field fence is a 32 feet (9.8 m)-high wall, 305 feet (93 m) from home plate, known as the Blue Monster. It resembles Fenway Park
’s Green Monster, including a manual scoreboard. The club introduced a furry "Blue Monster" mascot in during the 2007 season who now shares mascot duties with "Wool E. Bull" and "Lucky the Wonder Dog".
The bull sign mounted atop of the Blue Monster was modeled after the bull used in the 1988 film, Bull Durham
. The actual sign from the movie (which featured the previous home of the Bulls, Durham Athletic Park
) was formerly hung in the concourse level of the DBAP but is now in storage. Although much sturdier than the original, the new sign's limitations were revealed in violent winds that rocked the Piedmont on April 16, 2007 - the bull's head and forelegs were torn off by the storm. The damage was fixed by that weekend, but plans were made to replace the sign.
Following a playoff game on September 6, 2007, the playing surface was named Goodmon Field, in honor of the owner of the Durham Bulls and CEO of Capitol Broadcasting. In 2008, the famous snorting bull was temporarily moved to the concourse, like its predecessor, and replaced by a two-sided bull, so that it may be viewed from Diamond View 2 and 3. By 2009, renovations allowed fans to walk around the park 360 degrees. The Bulls' TV Crew were equipped in 2008 with high-definition cameras and production equipment, along with HD production capabilities. This also complemented the new state-of-the-art BOSE sound system.
A roof covers approximately 2,500 seats behind home plate and down both the first and third base lines to the end of each dugout. All seats at the DBAP are extra wide with seat backs, extra leg room and over 95 percent of the seats have cup holders. The stadium was designed and built so that every seat gives fans a great view of the field with an intimate ballpark feel.
Durham Bulls Athletic Park is located in downtown Durham and can be accessed from the Durham Freeway. The ballpark reflects many characteristics of old-time parks and the historic downtown Durham architecture. Construction of a “warehouse type” building, Diamond View, began in 1997 and was completed during the 1998 season. The Diamond View building is located behind the right field seating sections and uses the same architecture as the DBAP, including the green roof, brickwork and windows.
In 2002, the DBAP unveiled a new playground area in the right field section of the concourse. This new area is sure to provide fun for Bulls fans for many years to come. In the Fall of 2003, the field of the DBAP received a major face lift. After nine years of service, the top layers of grass and soil were removed and replaced with brand new top soil and Tissport™ Bermuda grass. The renovation took place over several weeks and cost over $100,000.
Following the 2006 season, the DBAP underwent major renovations in the outfield, including a new left field wall complete with a new video board located above the manual scoreboard. The old video board, installed prior to the 2004 season, was reshaped into a video billboard and placed in right field.
In 2008, with the addition of the Diamond View II building in left field, the Blue Monster pavilion opened allowing fans to watch the game atop the Blue Monster for the first time. One year later, a stairwell was added to the pavilion connecting it to the third base concourse and making the DBAP a 360 degree ballpark. For the 2010 season, in the Diamond View II Building a new restaurant opened called "Tobbaco Road Sports Cafe". It has outdoor seating to watch the game during game days or just to enjoy a beautiful North Carolina summer evening. Outside the ballpark are four more restaurants, Cuban Revolution, Saladelia, Tyler's Restaurant & Taproom, and Mellow Mushroom.
On August 30th, 2011, Triple-A Baseball announced that Durham Bulls Athletic Park will be the host site of the 2012 Triple-A National Championship Game on Tuesday, September 18th, 2012. The game will be broadcast, live on NBC Sports Network (Currently Versus) at 7:00 PM. The Triple-A National Championship Game pits the winner of the International League's Governors' Cup against the Pacific Coast League Champions in a one-game, winner take all championship. This is the first International League team to receive this honor, to host the game. The game is projected to bring in $2.5 million dollars just for the city of Durham. With another $2 million for the adjacent cities (including Raleigh).
In 2009 construction on Diamond View III began. It is expected to be completed in time for the 2012 season.
The original dimensions were: Left Field - 305 ft (93 m), Left Center Field - 371 ft (113.1 m), Center Field - 400 ft (121.9 m), Right Center Field - 373 ft (113.7 m), Right Field - 327 ft (99.7 m). The power alleys are now posted as 375 ft (114.3 m) and right field as 325 ft (99.1 m).
Durham, North Carolina
Durham is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the county seat of Durham County and also extends into Wake County. It is the fifth-largest city in the state, and the 85th-largest in the United States by population, with 228,330 residents as of the 2010 United States census...
that is home to the Durham Bulls
Durham Bulls
The Durham Bulls are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the International League. The Bulls play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park located in the downtown area of Durham, North Carolina. Durham Bulls Athletic Park is often called the "DBAP" or "D-Bap". The Bulls are...
, the AAA affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. It is also home to the Duke Blue Devils
Duke Blue Devils
Duke University's 26 varsity sports teams, known as the Blue Devils, compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The name comes from the French "les Diables Bleus" or "the Blue Devils," which was the nickname given during World War I to the Chasseurs Alpins, the French Alpine light infantry...
and North Carolina Central
North Carolina Central University
North Carolina Central University is a public historically black university in the University of North Carolina system, located in Durham, North Carolina, offering programs at the baccalaureate, master’s, professional and doctoral levels....
Eagles college baseball
College baseball
College baseball is baseball that is played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education. Compared to football and basketball, college competition in the United States plays a less significant contribution to cultivating professional players, as the minor leagues primarily...
teams. The 10,000-seat park was opened in 1995 and is a $16-million brick ballpark. The Bulls began playing at the DBAP in 1995 when the team played in the Class A Advanced Carolina League
Carolina League
The Carolina League is a minor league baseball affiliation which operates in the South Atlantic Coast of the United States. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
. The Bulls then moved up to the Triple-A level in 1998, causing the DBAP to be expanded. The stadium was designed by Populous (formerly HOK Sport), who also designed Camden Yards
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Oriole Park at Camden Yards is a Major League Baseball ballpark located in Baltimore, Maryland. Home field of the Baltimore Orioles, it is the first of the "retro" major league ballparks constructed during the 1990s and early 2000s, and remains one of the most highly praised. The park was...
in Baltimore, Jacobs Field
Jacobs Field
Progressive Field is a ballpark located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, and is the home of the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball and the American League. Along with Quicken Loans Arena, it is part of the Gateway Sports and Entertainment Complex...
in Cleveland, and Coors Field
Coors Field
Coors Field, located in Denver, Colorado, is the home field of Major League Baseball's Colorado Rockies. It is named for the Coors Brewing Company of Golden, Colorado, which purchased the naming rights to the park prior to its completion in 1995...
in Colorado as part of the "new" old-stadium-like movement of the 1990s.
By design, the left field fence is a 32 feet (9.8 m)-high wall, 305 feet (93 m) from home plate, known as the Blue Monster. It resembles Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
’s Green Monster, including a manual scoreboard. The club introduced a furry "Blue Monster" mascot in during the 2007 season who now shares mascot duties with "Wool E. Bull" and "Lucky the Wonder Dog".
The bull sign mounted atop of the Blue Monster was modeled after the bull used in the 1988 film, Bull Durham
Bull Durham
Bull Durham is a 1988 American romantic comedy baseball film. It is based upon the minor league experiences of writer/director Ron Shelton and depicts the players and fans of the Durham Bulls, a minor league baseball team in Durham, North Carolina....
. The actual sign from the movie (which featured the previous home of the Bulls, Durham Athletic Park
Durham Athletic Park
Durham Athletic Park, affectionately known as "The DAP" , is a former minor league baseball stadium in Durham, North Carolina. The stadium was home to the Durham Bulls from 1926 through 1994...
) was formerly hung in the concourse level of the DBAP but is now in storage. Although much sturdier than the original, the new sign's limitations were revealed in violent winds that rocked the Piedmont on April 16, 2007 - the bull's head and forelegs were torn off by the storm. The damage was fixed by that weekend, but plans were made to replace the sign.
Following a playoff game on September 6, 2007, the playing surface was named Goodmon Field, in honor of the owner of the Durham Bulls and CEO of Capitol Broadcasting. In 2008, the famous snorting bull was temporarily moved to the concourse, like its predecessor, and replaced by a two-sided bull, so that it may be viewed from Diamond View 2 and 3. By 2009, renovations allowed fans to walk around the park 360 degrees. The Bulls' TV Crew were equipped in 2008 with high-definition cameras and production equipment, along with HD production capabilities. This also complemented the new state-of-the-art BOSE sound system.
A roof covers approximately 2,500 seats behind home plate and down both the first and third base lines to the end of each dugout. All seats at the DBAP are extra wide with seat backs, extra leg room and over 95 percent of the seats have cup holders. The stadium was designed and built so that every seat gives fans a great view of the field with an intimate ballpark feel.
Durham Bulls Athletic Park is located in downtown Durham and can be accessed from the Durham Freeway. The ballpark reflects many characteristics of old-time parks and the historic downtown Durham architecture. Construction of a “warehouse type” building, Diamond View, began in 1997 and was completed during the 1998 season. The Diamond View building is located behind the right field seating sections and uses the same architecture as the DBAP, including the green roof, brickwork and windows.
In 2002, the DBAP unveiled a new playground area in the right field section of the concourse. This new area is sure to provide fun for Bulls fans for many years to come. In the Fall of 2003, the field of the DBAP received a major face lift. After nine years of service, the top layers of grass and soil were removed and replaced with brand new top soil and Tissport™ Bermuda grass. The renovation took place over several weeks and cost over $100,000.
Following the 2006 season, the DBAP underwent major renovations in the outfield, including a new left field wall complete with a new video board located above the manual scoreboard. The old video board, installed prior to the 2004 season, was reshaped into a video billboard and placed in right field.
In 2008, with the addition of the Diamond View II building in left field, the Blue Monster pavilion opened allowing fans to watch the game atop the Blue Monster for the first time. One year later, a stairwell was added to the pavilion connecting it to the third base concourse and making the DBAP a 360 degree ballpark. For the 2010 season, in the Diamond View II Building a new restaurant opened called "Tobbaco Road Sports Cafe". It has outdoor seating to watch the game during game days or just to enjoy a beautiful North Carolina summer evening. Outside the ballpark are four more restaurants, Cuban Revolution, Saladelia, Tyler's Restaurant & Taproom, and Mellow Mushroom.
On August 30th, 2011, Triple-A Baseball announced that Durham Bulls Athletic Park will be the host site of the 2012 Triple-A National Championship Game on Tuesday, September 18th, 2012. The game will be broadcast, live on NBC Sports Network (Currently Versus) at 7:00 PM. The Triple-A National Championship Game pits the winner of the International League's Governors' Cup against the Pacific Coast League Champions in a one-game, winner take all championship. This is the first International League team to receive this honor, to host the game. The game is projected to bring in $2.5 million dollars just for the city of Durham. With another $2 million for the adjacent cities (including Raleigh).
In 2009 construction on Diamond View III began. It is expected to be completed in time for the 2012 season.
The original dimensions were: Left Field - 305 ft (93 m), Left Center Field - 371 ft (113.1 m), Center Field - 400 ft (121.9 m), Right Center Field - 373 ft (113.7 m), Right Field - 327 ft (99.7 m). The power alleys are now posted as 375 ft (114.3 m) and right field as 325 ft (99.1 m).