Renewal, Fun Mark Durham Bulls Home Opener
by Fran Stuchbury
Published on April 3, 2026 under International League (IL)
Durham Bulls
Durham Bulls mascot Wool E. Bull shoots T-shirts to the crowd
(Durham Bulls, Credit: Fran Stuchbury)
An opening night loss did little to dampen the enthusiasm at Durham Bulls Athletic Park Monday evening where 7,375 fans welcomed Minor League Baseball back for another season.
The Bulls have a long history in several leagues. Most recently they were members of the Carolina League from 1980 to 1997 before moving up to the AAA International League in 1998 where the team has been an Tampa Bay Rays.
The team is best known as the focal point of one of the most iconic sports movies of all time, 1988's "Bull Durham" starring Kevin Costner and Susan Sarandon which grossed over $50 million.
The Bulls play at Durham Bulls Athletic Park which has a capacity of 10,000 fans. Ticket prices range from $17 to $48.
DBAP also served as home of the North Carolina Central Eagles from 2007 until 2009 and Duke Blue Devils baseball from 2010 until 2023. The new Athletes Unlimited Softball League's Carolina Blaze will play a three-game series against the Utah Talons at the ballpark from June 25th to June 27th.
Durham dropped its home opener, losing to the Leigh Valley IronPigs, 4-3. It was the IronPigs third consecutive one-run victory.
The IronPigs, an affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Designated hitter Carter Kieboom hit a run-scoring single followed by an RBI-double from first baseman Caleb Ricketts.
The Bulls cut the deficit to 2-1 thanks to an RBI double by second baseman Logan Davidson.
Lehigh Valley extended its lead to 3-1 in the third inning when third baseman Christian Cairo's double drove in another run. The 'Pigs made it 4-1 in the fifth after a Liover Peguero double scored another run.
Durah got one back when catcher Dom Keegan's single scored Jacob Melton from second.
The Bulls crept to within 4-3 on Blake Sebol's run-scoring ground out, but IronPigs relief pitcher Seth Johnson struck out center fielder Victor Mesa Jr. with runners on first and third to end the game and pick up his first save of the season.
Durham featured several between-inning promotions which included a face between mascot Wool E. Bull and a young fan. Another promotion Dueling Dinosaur where fans put on a dinosaur outfit and raced.
In the eighth inning Wool E. Bull shot T-shirts to fans in the outfield stands.
Game time weather was a perfect 70 degree. The Bulls had planned to celebrate the home opener with fireworks but windy conditions prevented the post-game pyrotechnics.
Images from this story
 Opening night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, home of the Durham Bulls (Fran Stuchbury) |
 Opening night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, home of the Durham Bulls (Fran Stuchbury) |
 Opening night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, home of the Durham Bulls (Fran Stuchbury) |
 Durham Bulls mascot Wool E. Bull shoots T-shirts to the crowd (Fran Stuchbury) |
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