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The Bulls and the DBAP: Better than Ever |
The “Boys of Summer” will be back in Durham in just a few short weeks and one of the best ballparks in the minors just keeps getting better and better. Opening night for the 1999 season is Thursday, April 8th at 7 PM versus the Richmond Braves. There will be special guests in attendance throwing out the first pitch and singing our National Anthem. Other exciting activities are being planned for opening night and the homestand continues through the weekend ending Monday, April 12th at 4 PM with the Bulls first day game of the season.
Additions to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park for ’99 include:
- An in-house camera system, complete with three cameras and television monitors near the concession stands on the main concourse level. The system will show all of the game action complete with instant replays and highlights.
- The matrix board in center field was overhauled with all 180,000 lenses changed and thousands of light bulbs switched out.
- The famous Bull in left-field will have a bigger and “bullier” feel to it in 1999. Changes include more smoke, brighter eyes, and sound effects whenever the Bulls hit a homerun.
Bill Evers will return as the Bulls Manager this year to defend the International League South Division Championship; also returning is pitching coach Pete Filson. An exciting new addition to the Bulls staff is hitting coach George Foster. Foster slammed 348 home runs in his 18 seasons with the Giants, Reds, Mets and White Sox and was named the National League’s MVP in 1977, hitting .320 with 52 homers and 149 RBI. The core of our 1998 team should be back in Durham, including the infield of Scott McClain, Chris Martin, Dave Silvestri and Steve Cox. Outfielders include James Buccheri, Luke Wilcox and Billy Ashley. The Bulls pitching staff was anchored by Dave Eiland who went 13-5 in 1998 and was named the Devil Rays minor league pitcher of the year. The Bulls roster will not be finalized until early April.
Durham Bulls single game tickets go on sale this Saturday, March 20 at 10:00 AM. Purchase your tickets for Opening Day and all other home games either at the ballpark ticket office or by phone at (919) 956-BULL and go Runnin’ with the Bulls in ’99.
