So, Kevin Costner, Tim Robbins, and Susan Sarandon came to the Bull City and changed our lives forever. The year was 1988, and the movie 🎬 was Bull Durham.

At the time, we had a single A baseball team that was only known for having a Bull out behind the wall 🧱 that read hit me and win a steak.

The movie became somewhat popular in the baseball ⚾️ world, and now we have the stadium 🏟 that Kevin Costner built in downtown Durham !

Now to the Softball part of this story !

AUSL softball made a HUGE leap this year as the league moved away from having one city hosting all of the games to having six local teams playing games at parks near them. Durham, North Carolina landed one of the six spots, and the Carolina Blaze were born.

Duke University has a moderately nice softball facility ( remember that Duke has only played the game for 9 years), and affordability had to play into the decision of Durham getting one of the six teams.

Marketing the team as Carolina was much needed because it makes it a regional team. Hence, the Carolina Panthers.

This weekend, the league is branching out, and the games are getting played over at the AAA Durham Bulls stadium 🏟!

Travis Leath and family / friends secured tickets 🎟 for the three days and are kind enough to take us along for part of the ride.

More to follow later !

Bonus softball as the game remains tied at 1-1 after 7 innings.

We head to the 8th….

Utah plates a go-ahead run, taking advantage of the runner placed on second base to start extras. Talons plate 2.

Great finish, down 3-2 with the bases loaded…….

Utah hangs on for an exciting 3-2 victory. Thanks to Travis for taking us along for the ride !

Jeremy Puckett is a serious soccer dude, so it’s no surprise that our #2 in Boys Soccer knows the sport !

Team to root for second – Brazil 🇧🇷

” I’d say France or Spain wins the whole thing, but who knows, maybe it’s our year.”

Myself, it’s Canada 🇨🇦 as my sentimental second pick, all day long. In fact, I hope to be watching 👀 them play from Nova Scotia fairly soon. Why not say USA as long as they are still alive ?

We will see 👀 if others in our Soccer ⚽️ community have a thought about it later….

Strike while the iron is HOT 🔥. Next month, Adrienne Harris McGuire and Company take their turn at hosting a youth camp !

The funds generated will be used to help fund Travel soccer ⚽️ expenses.

Exciting times on The Hill !