In the Fall of 2003, the field of the DBAP received a major face lift. After nine years of service, the top layers of grass and soil were removed and replaced with brand new top soil and Tissport™ Bermuda grass. The renovation took place over several weeks and cost over $100,000.
Following the 2006 season, the DBAP underwent major renovations in the outfield, including a new left field wall complete with a new video board located above the manual scoreboard. The old video board, installed prior to the 2004 season, was reshaped into a video billboard and placed in right field.
In 2008, with the addition of the Diamond View II building in left field, the Blue Monster pavilion opened allowing fans to watch the game atop the Blue Monster for the first time. One year later, a stairwell was added to the pavilion connecting it to the third base concourse and making the DBAP a 360 degree ballpark.
One of the most popular attractions for Durham residents are the boys of summer who turn out at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, the home of the Durham Bulls, a Class AAA baseball affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The Bulls received national attention in 1987 with the release of the movie Bull Durham, starring Susan Sarandon, Kevin Costner, and Tim Robbins. Even before the release of the film, area residents helped set attendance records at what is North Carolina’s most famous baseball team’s stadium.