Bulls set for final month of action
Published on August 1, 2006 under International League (IL1)
Durham Bulls News Release
The Bulls open August at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park with a series finale against the Rochester Red Wings on Harris Teeter VIC Card Tuesday, August 1st. On August 2nd, the Bulls host the Charlotte Knights on pphinfo.com night before heading to Richmond.
Saturday, August 5th the Bulls return for the last two games against the Braves of the season, with fireworks sponsored by Fidelity Investments, and Pepsi Kids Run the Bases on Sunday as the Bulls welcome their friends at East Coast Metal Distributors! Also, don't forget to bring your wallet on Saturday for the first of three Durham Bulls Jersey Auctions. The Bulls then head to Charlotte for two nights to take on the Knights.
On Thursday, August 10th, join our friends at Smith Breeden as we welcome the Bulls home for a five game stretch, starting with one game against the Knights on TIAA-CREF Family Night, as french fries, hot dogs and popcorn are all $1! On Friday the Indianapolis Indians come to the DBAP, as the Bulls prepare to play five games in a four day stretch, starting with Friday night fireworks sponsored by Triangle Orthopaedic Associates! Also, Chuckie from Rugrats on Nickelodeon will be here all weekend thanks to Time Warner Cable! On Saturday the Bulls have a day-night doubleheader, with games at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m sponsored by Together RX Access. Saturday night is also our second jersey auction of the month. On Sunday, St. Lawrence Homes and the Durham Bulls welcome the Louisville Bats to town for a two-game set as we enjoy another Pepsi Kids Run the Bases. On Monday the Bulls wrap up their series with the Bats with our final Humana Silver Bulls game, a 1:00 p.m. affair at the DBAP.
After an eight-game road trip that takes the Bulls to Toledo, Columbus, Louisville and Indianapolis, the Bulls return on Wednesday, August 23 to kick off a nine-game homestand, the last set of home games for the 2006 season. Wednesday night is our final jersey auction of the season as part of our At Bat for Habitat night. Norfolk comes to town on Wednesday, and Thursday is another TIAA-CREF Family Night. Come hungry, because french fries, hot dogs and popcorn are only $1 each! Thursday night is also our third and final College Night of the season, so bring your student ID to get discounted seats at the ballgame.
On Friday, the Charlotte Knights return to the DBAP for a three-game set on our last weekend of the 2006 season. Friday night the Bulls will recognize the Bank of America Neighborhood Champions in the pre-game, then we'll honor the North Carolina State Games prior to lighting up the sky with a fantastic post-game fireworks show. On Saturday, join us for Fidelity Investments final fireworks show of the season as the Bulls honor their longtime PA Announcer Bill Law (see story below). East Coast Metal Distributors join us again for our final Sunday game of the season, and Sunday is your last chance to bring the kids down to the field for Pepsi Kids Run the Bases.
The Toledo Mud Hens come to town on Monday, the 28th for a two-game set including Tuesday's BB&T Triple Play night. One lucky fan will have a chance to win $300,000 if the Durham Bulls execute a triple play! Tuesday is also a VIC Card night, as fans can get two tickets for the price of one courtesy of Harris Teeter. Wednesday, the Columbus Clippers come to the DBAP for the final Golden Corral Kids Club game. On Thursday our friends at TIAA-CREF sponsor our last Family Night, with $1 french fries, hot dogs and popcorn! Don't miss your final opportunity to see the Bulls in action this season. For tickets call the Bulls at (919) 956-BULL or online at www.durhambulls.com.
BULLS CELEBRATE THE CAREER OF PA ANNOUNCER ON FINAL SATURDAY
On Saturday, August 26th, the Bulls will officially recognize their longtime Public Address Announcer Bill Law for his 12 years as "The voice of the Durham Bulls." In January, Law announced he was retiring from his public address duties with the Bulls following the 2006 season. Law, who has never missed a game at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park since it opened in 1995, will work his final game on the microphone for the Bulls at the team's home finale on Thursday, August 31st.
"We will never find another announcer like Bill Law," Durham Bulls General Manager Mike Birling said, "Bill's legacy with the team will never be forgotten and his dedication is unmatched."
Law's career as PA announcer at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park covered a span of almost 1,000 games, including all Durham Bulls, USA Baseball, collegiate, high school and amateur games played at the stadium. Prior to 2006, Law had never missed a game on the microphone at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
Beginning in 2007, he will begin his new position with the Bulls serving as team ambassador. His duties will primarily focus on representing the team at community events and speaking to local civic groups throughout the year.
VETERANS EXCEL FOR BULLS IN JULY
The Bulls hovered around the .500 mark during the month of July, but two veterans remained red hot, and some youngsters turned in some sparkling performances. Kevin Witt became only the second Bulls Triple-A player to hit 30 homers in a season, when he belted number 30 on Saturday. Witt far and aways leads the International League in homers, RBI, extra-base hits and slugging percentage, and he's moved into the top five in the IL in hits and runs scored. During one stretch, Witt hit six homers in seven games. If you're wondering, Scott McClain's 34-homer season in 1998 is Durham's Triple-A record, and the single-season mark is Tom Wolfe's 39, set in 1930.
Meanwhile, Darnell McDonald put together the longest hit streak in Bulls Triple-A history. McDonald hit in 27 consecutive games, which eclipsed Steve Cox's 23-game stretch during his MVP season of 1999. McDonald had his streak snapped at Toledo on July 23rd, but he did walk in that contest, and has reached base in 32 consecutive games overall. McDonald leads the IL in hits with 125 and is top five in the IL in runs scored, while batting fifth or sixth during most of his streak.
On the mound, Jason Hammel and Juan Salas went into the Bulls history books as the only Durham Triple-A players to combine on a no-hitter. Hammel and Salas accomplished the feat against Columbus the Sunday after the All-Star break.
Speaking of All-Stars, three Bulls represented Durham in the Triple-A All-Star game, where Witt was the MVP, going 3-for-3 with a double and a homer. B.J. Upton and Shawn Riggans also made the IL All-Star team.
July also saw some new and old faces in the Bull City. First baseman Wes Bankston was promoted from Double-A, and shortstop Ben Zobrist joined Durham after Tampa Bay traded Aubrey Huff to Houston. Zobrist and Bankston were both hitting nearly .300 during their first three weeks with the Bulls. Meanwhile, pitcher Seth McClung returned to Durham from Tampa Bay as a closer. To date, McClung was 4-for-4 in save opportunities, his first four saves as a professional.
CHANGE YOUR LIFE AT THE 2006 CAREER EXPO
The Durham Bulls will once again host "The Field of Dreams" Career Expo at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park Thursday, September 28 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. In past years, the Career Expo attracted thousands of job seekers and over 50 Triangle companies!.
Companies in attendance will have a table display on the main concourse of the DBAP. The ballpark setting provides a casual relaxed atmosphere for great interaction between candidates and employers. Job seekers are able to speak with representatives from a variety of companies, provide copies of their resume and discover what positions are available at particular companies. Recruiters are able to meet with hundreds of quality candidates from around the country, conduct on-site interviews and build their resume file. The event will take place, rain or shine. Much of the stadium concourse is covered, but in the event of inclement weather, tents will be set up on along the concourse.
International League Stories from August 1, 2006
- Braves roll past Tides - Gwinnett Stripers
- Lewis, Phelps help Mud Hens down Tribe 5-2 - Indianapolis Indians
- Magrane brings the pain - Durham Bulls
- R-Braves game notes - Gwinnett Stripers
- Orioles recall Abreu to Baltimore - Ottawa Lynx
- Witt Surges to Round-Tripper Lead - Durham Bulls
- Statement from the Devil Rays regarding Elijah Dukes' suspension - Durham Bulls
- CSS to Televise R-Braves Game Thursday - Gwinnett Stripers
- Girl's Night Out at the Ballpark Thursday, August 3rd - Ottawa Lynx
- Bulls set for final month of action - Durham Bulls
- 2006 Playoff Tickets To Go On Sale August 3rd - Toledo Mud Hens
- Mud Hens Back In The Pennant Race - Toledo Mud Hens
- Bisons Notes - Buffalo Bisons
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.
