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Professional softball is headed to downtown Durham this week, and the city is about to turn pink for the three-day series.
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The Carolina Blaze is taking over Durham Bulls Athletic Park and American Tobacco Campus on Thursday, Friday and Saturday while the Bulls are on the road for a six-game series. The Blaze hosts the Utah Talons for the Athletes Unlimited Signature Series.
“This is my first time seeing the stadium,” outfielder Dakota Kennedy said on Tuesday. “It’s amazing. I’ve seen the other teams play on fields like this, and the turnout in the stands is so awesome. I’m just excited for us to have this opportunity, to fill these stands and have so many people come out and watch us play.”
Game 1 is set for 6 p.m. Thursday and will be broadcast on ESPN. Tickets for all three games are still available through Ticketmaster.
“I think the team has built some really good chemistry together,” said Blaze coach Kara Dill after the team’s Game 3 win over the Texas Volts. “They’ve worked really hard together. They’ve built a really great foundation of what they want the season to look like.”
The Blaze (5-3) is second in the league standings, behind the Talons (7-3), and looks to bounce back from a loss. It is 4-1 when playing in Durham.
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This weekend at the DBAP, however, is more than just a typical three-game series. It represents a partnership among the Durham Sports Commission, Discover Durham and local businesses.
Batalá Durham drumline will lead a march from CCB Plaza to the ballpark, fans can participate in free pregame activities, and local restaurants have created special food and drinks for the occasion. Fans can gather at EO’s Athletic Club, Luna, Primrose and Bull McCabe’s. EO’s and Bull McCabe’s created Blaze-themed wings, while Luna and Primrose created signature cocktails.
Fireworks are scheduled for Thursday night. Then on Friday, the team encourages fans to wear team colors. In honor of the franchise’s pink color palette, Saturday’s theme is Blaze x Barbie.
“I feel like it’s gonna be amazing. It’s gonna really feel like we’re on the big league stage, playing at this awesome stadium,” Ana Gold, second-year Blaze infielder and Duke softball alumna, said. “It’s beautiful, and I think there’s gonna be a really good turnout with the fans. I feel like this stadium is kind of well known around the country with the Durham Bulls, so it’s gonna be a really cool, cool atmosphere.”
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