If you attend a baseball game and don’t take a selfie, were you even there?
There’s no question that a selfie can be a fun souvenir of your visit, as well as something you can share on social media during the game. To take a good selfie, you want a decent light source, the right pose, and the perfect backdrop. At any ballpark you visit, it’s important to spend some time assessing your backdrop options so that you choose the right one.
Here are five perfect places to snap a selfie at Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham.
1. Crash Davis’s Retired Number
You can get your selfie game started before you even enter the gates of DBAP, thanks to the retired numbers on display outside of the main gates. While you’ll likely recognize several names and numbers, there’s no better selfie backdrop than the #8 that honors the real-life Crash Davis. The longtime minor leaguer served as the inspiration for Kevin Costner’s character in the iconic 1988 film Bull Durham. The real Davis, who was raised in North Carolina and attended Duke University, suited up for the Bulls in 1948, hitting .317 and compiling 171 hits. For fans of the movie, this backdrop is a must.
2. The Bull Sign
When most people think of the Durham Bulls, they think of the renowned “Hit Bull, Win Steak” sign. The original sign towered over the outfield at historic Durham Athletic Park, and a newer version is a fixture at DBAP. It’s a can’t-miss sight in the in left field at the park, making it a perfect backdrop for your selfies. The sign is two sided, so you can stand in the seats down the third base line or on the concourse in deep left field to position the shorting bull’s face behind you.
3. The First Base Concourse
There are lots of beautiful spots to hang out during your DBAP visit, but the first base concourse is one of the best. Located high above the field, it offers a stunning view of the American Tobacco Campus, which sits across the street from DBAP. The campus plays a key role in Durham’s skyline, thanks to the Lucky Strike water tower and chimney that extend skyward. The campus’s skyline is particularly picturesque from the first base concourse as the sun sets, but can be a perfect selfie backdrop in the daylight or after dark.
4. Behind Home Plate
Positioning yourself behind home plate is often a good idea for a selfie, and this is particularly true at DBAP. The ballpark offers an absolutely impressive view from this area. You’ll see the unique Blue Monster fence in left field, plenty of stylish brick buildings in the background, and a well-manicured, natural batter’s eye. There’s nothing wrong with snapping a selfie from this part of the park before the game begins. However, if you want to take your shot during the action, you’ll find that DBAP ushers are among the friendliest in baseball and won’t object to you pausing to set up your shot.
5. The Jackie Robinson Drive Sign
There are many other standard selfie backdrops for you to explore within DBAP, but a unique option that may appeal to you is the Jackie Robinson Drive street sign outside of the park. The street runs behind the park’s first base side, and you can find signs close to the plaza at the main gates and behind right field. A lot of baseball fans take selfies in front of Robinson’s retired #42 display in the park, but you’ll have a unique backdrop if you use the hall of famer’s street sign.
