The clash at the DAP

DURHAM, North Carolina — The ballpark that was good enough for the making of the film “Bull Durham” is the home of N.C. Central University baseball. There are worse places to play. “Being able to say we play and practice at the Durham Athletic Park is absolutely huge,” first-year NCCU coach Jim Koerner said.

The DAP’s playing surface is better than some professional facilities, Koerner said. “It’s probably the best facility in the conference,” said Koerner of the Eagles' Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. “It’s incredibly maintained.”

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NCCU will host Duke today at 4 p.m. in the historic ballpark where the minor league Durham Bulls once played. Admission is free to this match-up that some say will further foster the relationship between Duke and NCCU, strengthening Durham.

“It bodes well for both universities,” Durham mayor Bill Bell said. “I think the more they can do things in a joint effort – even if it’s competing in sports– it’s a coming together of the community.”

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