Bulls return tomorrow
Published on May 3, 2006 under International League (IL1)
Durham Bulls News Release
The Bulls finished the month of April with a 14-10 record, thanks in large part to an 8-1 start. The Bulls received standout pitching throughout the month, keeping them in nearly every game. Durham had a team ERA of 3.13, and the club collected three shutouts, one more than it had all of last season. The success on the mound came despite the Bulls using 15 different pitchers, seven of them starters. Chris Seddon and Tim Corcoran each won three games, while closer J.B. Miadich collected five saves.
Offensively, the Bulls collected a league-best 47 stolen bases, nearly 20 better than anyone else in the International League. Leading the way was B.J. Upton who had 13. Darnell McDonald was Durham's most consistent player, finishing April in the top five in the IL in runs scored , doubles (9), extra-base hits (12), RBI (20) and hits (32). The Bulls ended the month shorthanded, carrying only 21 players for the final three games in April. Tampa Bay traded reliever Carlos Hines to San Francisco, OF Elijah Dukes left the team for personal matters for the final five games of the road trip, and of course Delmon Young is suspended indefinitely due to the well-publicized bat throwing incident.
In May the Bulls should get a bit stronger, as Julio Lugo, Jorge Cantu, Aubrey Huff and Rocco Baldelli should come off the DL, leading Tampa Bay to send some players to Durham.
APRIL SUN BRINGS MORE MAY FUN!
The Durham Bulls are getting ready for another exciting month of family fun at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. The first homestand in May runs from the 4th -11th. The Bulls open on May 4th against the Indianapolis Indians with a College Night presented by North Carolina Amateur Sports. Students with a valid college ID receive $1.00 off select seats at the game. Thursdays are also TIAA CREF Family nights at the ballpark, so come hungry because hot dogs, French fries and popcorn are only $1.00 each.
Friday, May 5th, is the first of two Scout Nights and includes a Scout Parade pre-game and on-field camping after the game for local Boy Scouts. Stay after the game and take in the fireworks brought to you by Durham Marriot at the Civic Center. Come early and stay late on Saturday, May 6th for fun and games at the Principal Financial Group Family Fun Fest beginning at 2:00 PM on Blackwell Street. Then head inside as SciQuest presents Scout Night II, a second night of fun and overnight camping at the ballpark. After the game your favorite Durham Bulls players will be signing autographs.
May 7th is Reader's Digest Youth Athletic Night. Come early to see the finals of the Pepsi Pitch, Hit, and Run competition, then check out all the fine young athletes in the Triangle as they parade around the field. After the game, it's time for Pepsi Kids Run the Bases when children 12 and under are invited to take the field and run the basepaths. Be sure to join us on Monday May 8th and meet Dallas Reese from 99.9 Genuine Country, then on Tuesday we'll see who the nuttiest Durham Bulls fan alive is thanks to Reese's Really Nuts!
Time Warner Cable presents Education Day at the ballpark in an 11:00am game against the Louisville Bats on Wednesday, May 10th. Join local school children and visit educational, interactive booths on the concourse and a great baseball game during the day. The homestand concludes on Thursday, May 11th with a 7:00pm game featuring SkyyDogs USA and Rockin Ray. They'll be here to entertain the crowd throughout the evening.
The second homestand of May begins on May 23rd as the Durham Bulls begin a four game series against the Richmond Braves with Prudential Carolinas Realty Art of Baseball Night. Check out all the cool artwork submitted by children in the Durham Public Schools. Wednesday, May 24th is another Humana Silver Bulls Game. There's lots of great benefits for fans ages 50 and over, so see how you can join the Humana Silver Bulls club by clicking here.
Night of Duke Stars featuring a special fireworks show after the game is Thursday, May 25th. Be sure to take advantage of the TIAA CREF Family Feast specials at the concession stands with hot dogs, French fries and popcorn only a dollar apiece.
Memorial Day Weekend kicks off on Friday with the 6th annual Durham Bulls Youth Athletic League Charity Auction. There will be lots of wonderful items to bid on with all proceeds benefitting the Durham Bulls Youth Athletic League. Stay after the game for fireworks sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. Also on Friday, the Bulls host the second Time Warner Cable Weekend featuring Patrick from Spongebob SquarePants. He will be at the games from May 26th-28th.
On Saturday, May 27th you'll want to stick around after the game for a fantastic fireworks show sponsored by Fidelity Investments. The May 28th game against the Ottawa Lynx is presented by Two Men and a Truck and Pepsi Kids Run the Bases will take place following the game. Then on Memorial Day join the Bulls for a special game time of 5:00 PM as the holiday weekend comes to a close. The Bulls wrap up the homestand on Harris Teeter VIC Card Night, so be sure to show your VIC card at the ticket office and receive two tickets for the price of one.
PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP FAMILY FUN FEST RETURNS TO DURHAM
The Principal Financial Group Family Fun Fest will make it's third appearance at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Saturday, May 6th when the Durham Bulls take on the Indianapolis Indians. Created and produced by Entertainment & Sports International (ESI), the 4000 square foot Principal Family Fun Fest will be open just outside the main gates on Blackwell Street at 2:00 PM.
"This event has always been a lot of fun for the fans," Durham Bulls General Manager Mike Birling said, "We're glad to have them back for the third year in a row."
ESI's Principal Family Fun Fest is an unprecedented, and completely free, celebration of baseball which will be visiting 50 different minor league baseball ballparks during the 2006 season with a special appearance in Cooperstown, NY, at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. It is the most extensive traveling baseball festival in history and features more than 20 baseball themed attractions including a minor league baseball museum, the Xbox 360 Home Run Derby video game trailer, and a fan festival midway with batting and pitching cages, bungee runs, a huge side-by-side giant slide, baseball bounce houses, and lots more interactive fun for baseball fans of all ages. There's even an exhibit where fans can put themselves on a free souvenir cover of LIFE Magazine.
The Bulls take on the Indianapolis Indians at 5:00 PM at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Tickets are available at (919) 956-BULL .
BULLS BITS
Don't forget to join Bulls broadcaster Neil Solondz, first baseman Kevin Witt and other Bulls players this Saturday from 12-1 for Bulls Beat at Tyler's Tap Room, across the street from the ballpark. If you can't attend Bulls Beat, make sure to listen on our flagship, 620 the Bull from 12-1 Saturdays when Durham is home.
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Congratulations to Chris Kenestrick of Durham, the latest winner of our RBC Centura Blast for Cash. When Kevin Witt homered on Saturday in the sixth inning, Kenestrick won $350. Remember, you can win cash at any Bulls game this year. Go to the ballpark or click here to register.
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UNC, NC State, Duke and Duke University Health System employees receive a special ticket offer on TIAA-CREF Family Nights every Thursday this season. Receive the best available ticket on these nights for $6. Also, every Thursday hot dogs, French fries and popcorn are only $1 each.
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Can't make the game? No problem, your Durham Bulls have lots of ways for you to follow the action on www.durhambulls.com. You can listen live or follow the game pitch-by-pitch on the new Gameday program on the homepage scoreboard. Or, you can subscribe to durhambulls.tv. If you're just looking for the score, you can sign up to receive a text message after the game by clicking here.
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Every day during the 2006 season fans can download a new pre-game interview in the form of a podcast with Durham Bulls play-by-play man Neil Solondz and a member of the team. The interviews are available on the homepage of durhambulls.com or through the iTunes podcast store.
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Forgot to stop by the ATM on your way to the ballpark? No problem, just bring your credit card and your all set! Beginning Thursday, May 4th, the concession stands at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park will accept all major credit cards, including Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Diner's Club and Discover.
International League Stories from May 3, 2006
- Penn, Lynx Top Wings 5-3 - Rochester Red Wings
- Bulls return tomorrow - Durham Bulls
- Bisons Notes - Buffalo Bisons
- Gone to the dogs - Columbus Clippers
- SkyChiefs Live on Time Warner Sports - Syracuse Mets
- Community Baseball Club of Central New York adds two members - Syracuse Mets
- Knights Become First Team To 20 Wins - Charlotte Knights
- Hens Return Home To Face Two IL South Opponents - Toledo Mud Hens
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
