Independence Day Weekend at the Durham Bulls (27 images)

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  • Hotdogs await to be eaten during the Bright Leaf Hot Dog Eating Contest on Sunday, July 3, 2011. "I've been training for this all my life," said Thomas. Photo by Al Drago.

  • Contestants devour hotdogs during the Bright Leaf Hotdog Eating Conest on Sunday, July , 2011. Photo by Al Drago.

  • Fred Harrison takes hotdogs two at a time during the Bright Leaf Hotdog Eating Contest on Sunday, July 3, 2011. Photo by Al Drago.

  • On-field annoucer Jatovi McDuffie laughs as Mark Thomas talks to the crowd during the Bright Leaf Hotdog Eating Contest. "I've been training for this all my life," said Thomas. Photo by Al Drago.

  • Mark Thomas prepares his hotdogs with ketchup and mustard during the Bright Leaf Hotdog Eating Conest on Sunday, July , 2011. "I've been training for this all my life," said Thomas. Photo by Al Drago.

  • Matt Zeblo and Mark Thomas devour hotdogs during the Bright Leaf Hot Dog Eating Contest on Sunday, July 3, 2011. "I've been training for this all my life," said Thomas.

  • Matt DeMargel throws a hotdog into the crowd after the Bright Leaf Hotdog Eating Conest on Sunday, July , 2011. Photo by Al Drago.

  • A glove sits on the ground before Game 3 of the annual Collegiate Friendship Series between Team USA and Japan on Tuesday, July 5, 2011. The game was originally scheduled for July 4 but was postponed to due to rain, forcing the two teams to play a double header Tuesday. Game 2 of 7 was played in the afternoon at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary and Game 3 at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham. Photo by Al Drago.

  • Corey Knebel (11) and Brian Johnson (35) share a laugh during warmups for Game 3 of the annual Collegiate Friendship Series between Team USA and Japan on Tuesday, July 5, 2011. Photo by Al Drago.

  • DJ Baxendale (48) and Brady Rodgers pump up in the air before Game 3 of the annual Collegiate Friendship Series between Team USA and Japan on Tuesday, July 5, 2011. Photo by Al Drago.

  • Matt Reynolds hits the ball in Game 3 of the annual Collegiate Friendship Series between Team USA and Japan on Tuesday, July 5, 2011. Photo by Al Drago.

  • Rocky Iwashima of Raleigh, N.C. beats a Taiko drum as he cheers on Team Japan in Game 3 of the annual Collegiate Friendship Series between Team USA and Japan on Tuesday, July 5, 2011. Photo by Al Drago.

  • A young Durham Bulls fan watches the game from the thrid base side. The Durham Bulls face the Gwinnett Braves in a four-game, two-city series during Independence Weekend. Photo by Al Drago.

  • Nolan Fontana slides back to first in Game 3 of the annual Collegiate Friendship Series between Team USA and Japan on Tuesday, July 5, 2011. Photo by Al Drago.

  • Children preform the YMCA on top of the dugout duringGame 3 of the annual Collegiate Friendship Series between Team USA and Japan on Tuesday, July 5, 2011. Photo by Al Drago.

  • Hiroshi Taki rounds third base during Game 3 of the annual Collegiate Friendship Series between Team USA and Japan on Tuesday, July 5, 2011. Photo by Al Drago.

  • Nolan Fontana is welcomed back into the dugout by Mark Appel after scoring a run in Game 3 of the annual Collegiate Friendship Series between Team USA and Japan on Tuesday, July 5, 2011. Photo by Al Drago.

  • A fan cheers on the Durham Bulls on Saturday, July 2, 2011. The Durham Bulls face the Gwinnett Braves in a four-game, two-city series during Independence Weekend. Photo by Al Drago. .

  • Nolan Fontana returns a ball in Game 3 of the annual Collegiate Friendship Series between Team USA and Japan on Tuesday, July 5, 2011. Photo by Al Drago.

  • Japanese players shake hands with Team USA players after losing 4-3 in Game 3 of the annual Collegiate Friendship Series between Team USA and Japan on Tuesday, July 5, 2011. Photo by Al Drago.

  • DJ Baxendale (48) and Dominic Ficociello (32) lead Team USA in a victory lap following Game 3 of the annual Collegiate Friendship Series between Team USA and Japan on Tuesday, July 5, 2011. Photo by Al Drago.

  • DJ Baxendale (48) and Dominic Ficociello (32) lead Team USA in a victory lap following Game 3 of the annual Collegiate Friendship Series between Team USA and Japan on Tuesday, July 5, 2011. Photo by Al Drago.

  • Team USA players do the "Cupid's Shuffle" after winning Game 3 of the annual Collegiate Friendship Series between Team USA and Japan on Tuesday, July 5, 2011. Photo by Al Drago.

  • The colorguard presents the flags as Major Erin Karl sings the National Anthem following Game 3 of the annual Collegiate Friendship Series between Team USA and Japan on Tuesday, July 5, 2011. Photo by Al Drago.

  • Team USA players watch the fireworks following Game 3 of the annual Collegiate Friendship Series between Team USA and Japan on Tuesday, July 5, 2011. Photo by Al Drago.

  • Fireworks shoot off after Game 3 of the annual Collegiate Friendship Series between Team USA and Japan on Tuesday, July 5, 2011. Photo by Al Drago.

  • Fireworks shoot off after Game 3 of the annual Collegiate Friendship Series between Team USA and Japan on Tuesday, July 5, 2011. Photo by Al Drago.