Bulls' Hometown Alumni

I doubt most fans realize that very few Bulls players live in our community. After we won the 2009 Triple A National Championship in Oklahoma City, Durham's City Manager wanted to have a parade. I had to swallow hard and confess that the team wouldn't be returning to Durham, that they dispersed to their individual hometowns after the season-ending game.

That's the way it works in the Minors. It's a nomadic life until you land a Major League contract. Only then - as a Ray rather than a Bull - do you invest in a splendid crib on Tampa Bay.

Why do I draw attention to this? There is a great article in the April/May edition of Durham Magazine about two former Bulls who do, in fact, reside in the Bull City: Chris Richard who retired at the end of the 2010 season and Elliot Johnson who now plays for the Rays.

The article isn't on-line. You need to invest in a copy of the magazine...available at Parker & Otis, Regulator Bookshop, Barnes & Noble, Whole Foods Market, Sam's Quik Shop and Harris Teeter.

Meanwhile, check out the magazine's website and blog. You'll learn a lot about Durham.

Take Steps. Be Heard.

The DBAP will host an awareness and fund-raising walk June 18th for Crohn's and Colitis. It's a 5pm event...a good idea for that time of year.

GI disease doesn't make for pleasant conversation, but it warrants more attention.

People just don't talk about intestinal disorders...they feel that somehow there's a shame to it. I want to help take away this perceived stigma. There's nothing to be ashamed of.

That's a quote from Dr. Sandra Kim, a pediatric gastroenterologist at the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine. It's from an informative, inspiring story in today's News & Observer. Click here for the newspaper piece. The N&O has slugged it "gut reaction."

...and click here for more info on the Triangle affiliate of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America.

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