Bull City Blues A bold new addition to tradition
A tribute to the past, present, and future of the Bull City
The Durham Bulls 'D' is iconic. A snorting bull, leaping through a block letter D has been a staple of the city of Durham, North Carolina, and Minor League Baseball for decades.
But in 2016, there will be a bold new addition to the rich tradition of Durham Bulls baseball. The team's new Bull City Blues uniforms - to be worn on Saturday home games beginning in mid-May - unite the city's gritty history with its vibrant present and future.
The uniform features two colors never-before associated with the Bulls. First, a bold new orange represents the progress and bright future of Durham. The city's vivacity, from its innovative spirit to its diverse culture, is symbolized in this fresh, robust orange. Second, the navy blue is not only a tribute to the Bulls' Major League affiliate - the Tampa Bay Rays - but is also a symbol of the community's urban roots, and pays homage to the blue-collar history of the tobacco industry that helped Durham grow into the city it is today.
The Uniform
The uniform's solid, heavy navy gives it a rugged base, a homage to Durham's rich and diverse history. The orange, highlighting the uniform, represents where Durham is today and where the city is going. This is the uniform where the past, present and future come together to represent the Bull City.
A story told in details
A New Era in Bulls on-field caps
For the first time in Durham Bulls history, the crown of the cap will feature a 3D logo. Previously, the Bulls have always worn a flat-stitched, on-field cap, but the Bull City Blues hat breaks the mold.
Be the first. Own the cap.
A minimal approach, a classic style
The process of creating an alternate uniform for a franchise steeped in tradition and history was no easy task. Finding the balance of honoring all that Durham has to offer, while still maintaining the class and dignity of the franchise was the main goal of the Bulls' design team.
Counting stitches
Throughout the process, the Bulls worked with Rawlings and New Era to ensure the team would be able to accomplish the look it was aiming for. After sampling various embroidery and tackle twill, the final look was fitting for the team's vision.
Rays Up
It's only fitting the Tampa Bay Rays' logo is donned on the uniform's right sleeve, as the Durham Bulls are the only Triple-A affiliate the Rays have ever had. The 2016 season marks the 19th consecutive season the two organizations have been affiliated with one another, tied for the third-longest affiliation in Triple-A baseball. While searching for a rich base for the uniform, Tampa Bay's blue stood out as the perfect choice.
Numbers don't lie
Unlike Durham's three main jerseys, the team's Bull City Blues uniforms will not bear names on the back. This is done to unify the city behind one team, which plays for each other above all else.
The numbers are comprised of three layers: the main numbers in Bull City Blue, and orange and white outlines. Together, the uniform's back is simple, meaningful, and tough.
The Bulls, and in particular our creative team, took great pride in the design of this uniform. From the fabrics our vendors provided to the leather pigments on the team's belt, we had to nail this look. It's not only a tribute to this historic franchise and brand, but a way to honor this amazing city.
Mike Birling, General Manager
An ode to 1868
For the Bull City Blues, all players will wear knicker-style pants, a deviation from what is most commonly seen today. In 1868 the knickers-style was adopted by baseball teams, which was an idea borrowed from cricket. The uniforms feature knickers as a tribute to the game's history, and the important part baseball has played in Durham's revitalization.
Not just stripes
The knicker-style pants will showcase the uniform's socks, which are highlighted by three stripes: two orange and one white. The stripes represent the three points of the Triangle, and the white stripe symbolizes Durham as the home of the Bulls for the franchise's storied history.
Bull City Rising
Bull City Blues premieres Saturday, May 21st when the Bulls take the field opposite the Rochester Red Wings. Beginning on May 21st, the team will wear its Bull City Blues and celebrate with postgame Fireworks for every Saturday home game for the remainder of the season. To purchase tickets to the Bull City Blues premiere and view our entire promotional schedule visit us online.
