Disaster Relief - Amazing Generosity

I'm not braggin'...but I am saying THANK YOU.

Over $800,000 was raised for disaster relief on Wednesday when every division of Capitol Broadcasting Co. participated in a fund-raiser to assist NC tornado victims.

Amazing generosity...encouragement...and hope for the 439 families who lost their homes last Saturday as 28 tornados tore across the state.

That's the Easter message in our own backyard.

Bulls staffers load donated clothing and canned goods

into the Wool E. Mobile after Wednesday's day game.

It's not too late to help. Click here.

Disaster Relief

The whole of Capitol Broadcasting Co. is conducting a disaster relief drive today...television, radio, web, mobile and baseball.

The Bulls - playing a day game - are offering a free ticket for a donation of canned goods or clothing.

THANK YOU to our fans! It's piling up on the sidewalk...



Assuming that YOU are not at the ballpark today, punch up WRAL TV5 and join the effort.


Click here to support the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Samaritan's Purse and the NC Baptist Men.

Nuptials at Home Plate

May I present Mr. & Mrs Dan Redfield...

Suezette Cowles and Daniel Redfield were married at the DBAP Saturday. I feel badly. We had to roll out the tarp instead of the red carpet as that infamous storm system was bearing down on Durham.

Still, a good and memorable time was had by all. Suzi and Dan were flexible...willing to improvise. That's an outstanding way to begin a marriage!

Check out the wedding planner's blog; click here.

The Durham Bulls Athletic Park is available for memorable special events. Mary Beth Warfford stands ready to roll out the red carpet...or tarp...on our Field of Dreams. Send her an e-mail.

Raleigh tornado takes out a radio station

Capitol's Hispanic sports-talk station, 1550 AM/ESPN Deportes, was a casualty of the tornado Saturday afternoon.

WCLY is located on Maywood Ave. in south Raleigh near the NC Farmers Market. No one injured; it's a satellite-delivered format and the transmitter site is monitored remotely.

It appears that the tornado winds severed the guy wires, and the 285' tower fell over. Engineers hope to begin repairs Sunday using a generator and a temporary low-power antenna.

The tower collapse impacted another station, too. We share that antenna with Curtis Media's WQDR AM which plays classic country music.

Photos - Rob Truitt, Sunrise Broadcasting

The storm affected our sports group across the board: NC State's spring football game was cut short as the storm approached, and in Durham, the start of the Bulls baseball game was delayed for an hour. Our radio stations are located at Highwoods in north Raleigh...pretty close to the tornado's path, but everything was intact there. We did lose power. Fortunately, we have an industrial strength generator.

The DBAP Comes Alive!

We're back in business! Team mascot Wool E. Bull arrived on Duke's Life Flight helicopter and the Bulls won their home opener Thursday night...beating the Norfolk Tides 4-0.

Not only was it a win, but the game seemed gift-wrapped, with a 70-degree temperature reading at first pitch, a cloudy sky splashed with blue and a sunset that reflected off downtown buildings before the glow of the lights took over.

That's a nice piece of writing by Javier Serna in the News and Observer. Click here for the story.

WRAL TV5 swept into the DBAP with team coverage of our grounds crew, the new Bull Dog and sumo wrestling. Check out these videos...

We're at home through April 22nd, and that includes day games on Monday and Wednesday. See ya at the ballpark!

www.durhambulls.com

A Culinary Tour of the DBAP

Visiting MBA students want to know about our business model, and I’m quick to explain that it’s pretty simple: Each patron purchases a ticket, a cap or t-shirt - and here’s the critical element - each patron should visit our food court or concession stand between EVERY inning. If a half million people do that from April to August, we'll have a good season.

Tammy Scott, the manager of Centerplate, has been working on our menu offerings during the off-season. Here’s her new and improved “eat between every inning” concessions strategy for the 2011 season:

We have a new purveyor of hot dogs - Brightleaf pork and beef dawgs from Carolina Packers in Smithfield NC.

At the Carolina Brewery concession stand you will find Johnsonville brats plus Italian, Polish and veggie sausages. We’ve added a Texas toast grilled cheese sandwich and a Philly cheesesteak. There’s a chicken version, too. Finally, look for the new Chipstix, a ribbon cut, fried potato on a stick with a variety of seasonings.

Our gourmet barbecue is new this season…shipped over from the renowned Pit in Raleigh. At the Pit’s stand you will find two new offerings - fried pickles and loaded tater tots.

We’ve also added tacos and wings at several stands.

Pizza: Papa John’s has come to the DBAP! And you will find a hot meatball sub at the Papa John’s stand.

Another big brand with a new stand - Moe’s Southwest Grill...featuring burritos, nachos and salads.

That's a recap of our new offerings, but I assure you that Chick-fil-A is returning along with Rita's Italian Ice and Frozen Custard. Rita's is expanding to handle the demand.

Words are inadequate to describe our menu. This is really about smell and taste - so eat your way around the DBAP - beginning Thursday, April 14th. Gates and food court open at 6:00 PM.

The Home Opener Approaches...

The excitement is palpable. We are closing in on our 2011 home opener. (And it was enjoyable watching the Rays clobber Boston last night on ESPN, 16-5.)

Meanwhile, the DBAP seems like a construction equipment showroom. Boom lifts, scissor lifts, forklifts are around every corner...as we prepare for Opening Night on Thursday.

The City of Durham is wrapping up a major maintenance project, and the Bulls are installing new awnings and signs. Painters and masons have been on the job during the off-season. There's new carpet and cabinetwork in the suites. Now, the power-washing and landscaping begins in earnest. It's down to the wire. That's how we roll.

...but our dedicated staff will be ready - at 5:59:59 PM on Thursday - just before the gates open at 6:00!

A benefit of my team sports vocation is the opportunity to start fresh each season. Join us Thursday (or this weekend) for our annual do-over...as we embark on 5.5 months of Durham Bulls baseball.

The WRAL TV5 WEATHER CENTER extended forecast is outstanding for the beginning of our nine-game home stand...

Tickets: www.durhambulls.com