Where the Durham Bulls Lived

Walking up to Durham Athletic Park, Aug-1999.

A view of the DAP’s seating area.

• Location: Washington and Corporation streets, Durham, N.C.
• Opened: 1939
• Closed (for pro baseball): 1994
• Home team: Durham Bulls, Piedmont League (1939-43), Carolina League (1945-67, 1980-94); Raleigh-Durham Mets (1968), Phillies (1969), Triangles (1970-71), Carolina League
• Capacity: 5,000

Chronological Tour: Stop 18

Rating: 4 baseballs

The Durham Bulls played there from 1939 to 1994, with the stadium growing a few times over the years to produce a real homey effect. By the time I got to see a game there, in 1991, it was starting to look a little run-down, but the always enthusiastic Durham crowds made up for it. This is what the producers of the movie “Bull Durham” saw when they decided to center their film around the park.

Fortunately, the park is still serviceable, and it’s possible to go take a look at this legendary facility. The only thing missing is the snorting bull – it got moved to the new park.

Currently, the Durham Americans of the Coastal Plain League, a summer collegiate baseball league, call the DAP their home field. Durham Arts High School, a magnet school in the old Durham High School building, also utilizes the park for its home games. Durham Arts plays in the Tar-Roanoke Conference. In addition, a team in the Women’s Pro Fastpitch softball league played here for several seasons. And starting with the 2010 season, the Bulls will be returning to DAP for one game a season.