Duke Baseball A-Z Game Day Guide

Duke Access and Accommodation Services provided at Jack Coombs Field on game days are listed below. Prior to the game, please feel free to reach out to our disability coordinators at (919) 668-1267 to help plan for your visit or if you have any special needs, questions or concerns regarding our accessibility and accommodations.
- Accessible Parking for Guests with Disabilities: General public parking for guests with disabilities will be available in the Whitford Lot (110 Whitford Drive, Durham, NC) during all home games. Please note that ADA parking placards or license plates are required for ADA parking. One car only per placard. If you need assistance or have questions about ADA parking on Duke’s campus for events, please contact Duke Disability Management System at (919) 668-1267. Please speak to the parking lot attendant for access. There is no charge to park. The lot opens (2) hours prior to game time. When a baseball game crosses over with a basketball, track, or lacrosse game, alternative parking may be required. Specific details will be provided in a parking & traffic alert on www.goduke.com/gameday prior to game day if the baseball game conflicts with other athletic events on campus.
- Accessible Drop-off and Pick-Up Point for Guests with Disabilities: An accessible drop-off and pick-up point will be available on Whitford Drive (110 Whitford Drive, Durham, NC). Please speak to the parking lot attendant for access.
- Entry for Guests with Disabilities: All Jack Coombs Field entrances are accessible for guests with disabilities. Stadium gates open 60 minutes prior to game time unless otherwise noted on www.goduke.com/gameday.
- Accessible Seating: Accessible seating for guests in wheelchairs or with mobility concerns on stairs is available in the front row of the main stadium bleachers at Jack Coombs Field.
- Accessible Restrooms: Accessible men's and women’s restrooms are located underneath the covered stadium seating area on the lower level of the stadium. For a gender-neutral accessible family restroom, please visit the marketing table alongside the grandstand to request assistance.
- Wheelchairs and Assistive Devices: Wheelchairs and other assistive devices are permitted in Jack Coombs Stadium. Assistive devices may be stored in the designated accessible seating areas.
- Severe Weather or Emergency Preparedness: In the event of severe weather or an emergency that requires stadium evacuation, Event Staff and Duke Game Operations will be available to assist guests with disabilities who request assistance exiting the stadium or seeking shelter. All severe weather and emergency PA announcements are accompanied by visual messaging on the stadium video board.
It is strictly prohibited to bring alcohol into Jack Coombs Field. Individuals violating this policy are subject to ejection from the facility.
Jack Coombs Field adheres to specific guidelines regarding animals during competitions:
- Service Animals: Trained service animals are welcome at Jack Coombs Field. Service animals are dog specifically trained to assist individuals with disabilities, which may be physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disabilities. These animals must remain under the handler's control at all times and should be leashed or tethered, except when such tethering would impede the animal's ability to perform its trained tasks. Service animals must not exhibit aggressive behavior towards people or other animals and are not to bark, growl, or whine unless this forms part of a task related to the handler's disability. They should not seek food or other items from the general public and their presence should not disrupt standard operations. All service animals must have up-to-date rabies vaccination tags or proof of such vaccination available upon request. Any service animal that does not adhere to these guidelines may be asked to leave the facility.
- Service Animals in Training: In North Carolina, service animals in training are granted the same rights of access as service animals assisting individuals with disabilities. These animals should be easily identifiable as service animals in training, typically through a collar, leash, harness, or cape. Like fully trained service animals, they must have up-to-date rabies vaccination tags or similar proof of vaccination available on request. Trainers are responsible for any damage caused by the animal on Duke University property. Service animals in training must remain under the handler’s control at all times, be housebroken, and adhere to the same behavioral standards as fully trained service animals. Should a service animal in training fail to meet these standards, it may be asked to leave the facility.
- Personal Pets & Emotional Support Animals: Personal pets as well as therapy dogs, emotional support dogs and companion dogs, are not allowed inside the stadium during competitions. It's important to note that these animals are not considered service animals as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, as such, do not have access rights to the stadium during events. This policy ensures the safety and comfort of all attendees.
The Duke Federal Credit Union is located next to the Johnson Family Team Store at Scott Family Athletic Performance Center. The ATM only dispenses cash ($20 increments) and does not take deposits.
Purses, small bags, strollers and backpacks are permitted inside Jack Coombs Field. However, duffel bags and large bags exceeding 14” x 14” x 8” are not allowed, except for medical or childcare reasons. All bags and personal items are subject to inspection by event staff upon entry. There is no place to check or store prohibited items at the stadium, so please plan accordingly.
For everyone’s safety, unattended bags or items are not permitted outside Jack Coombs Field. Any unattended items found will be handled at the discretion of stadium officials, which may include disposal. Duke University and Duke Athletics are not responsible for any loss of unattended items. Duke University reserves the right to deny entry to any item or individual as deemed necessary. Prohibited items must be returned to your vehicle or discarded before entry.
Banners and signs are permitted inside Jack Coombs Field. However, Duke reserves the right to prohibit or require the cessation of any display of a banner or sign that obstructs the view of other guests, obscures stadium signage, can be considered an advertisement, or is determined to be obscene, vulgar, indecent, inappropriate or derogatory.
Hand-held still cameras are welcome for personal use. However, cameras with lenses longer than four (4) inches are not allowed inside the venue. Video cameras may be used during pre-game activities but are strictly prohibited from filming during the game.
A wide variety of food items and Coca-Cola products are available from the concessions stand operated by Trident Provisions on the 3rd base side of the stadium. The concession stand accepts credit/debit cards only.
Outside food and beverage are prohibited in Jack Coombs Field (exception: medical reasons).
• Listed below are the links for driving directions for ADA parking and general public parking. General Public parking is event dependent and should be checked on goduke.com prior the day prior to gameday. When a baseball game crosses over with a basketball, track, or lacrosse game, alternative parking may be required. Specific details will be provided in a parking & traffic alert on www.goduke.com/gameday prior to game day.
Whitford Parking Lot (Accessible Parking)
Accessible Parking for Guests with Disabilities – General public parking for guests with disabilities will be available in the Whitford Lot (110 Whitford Drive, Durham, NC) during all home games. Please note that ADA parking placards or license plates are required for ADA parking. One car only per placard. If you need assistance or have questions about ADA parking on Duke’s campus for events, please contact Duke Disability Management System at (919) 668-1267. Please speak to the parking lot attendant for access. There is no charge to park. The lot opens (2) hours prior to game time. When a baseball game crosses over with a basketball, track, or lacrosse game, alternative parking may be required. Specific details will be provided in a parking & traffic alert on www.goduke.com/gameday prior to game day.
In case of emergency, call Duke Police at (919) 684-2444, 9-1-1, or see your nearest stadium staff member and ask for the game day manager.
- During any emergency inside Jack Coombs Field, follow the directions of the PA announcer, Event Staff and emergency responders.
- Always designate a pre-determined location both inside and outside the stadium to meet friends and family in case you are separated or in the event of an emergency.
- Upon arriving at your seat location, first find the nearest exit and then locate an alternate exit in case of emergency.
- See Something, Say Something: If you see or become aware of any activity that is unusual, suspicious or causes you concern, report the activity to the nearest police officer or Event Staff.
- Emergency vehicles may be present in and around Jack Coombs Field. Please do not obstruct the travel path of a fire truck or emergency vehicle or interfere with their operations. Vehicles or objects (tents, tables, tailgate games, etc.) blocking emergency vehicles, designated fire lanes, stadium exits or exit paths, or vehicle/pedestrian traffic in general will be removed and dealt with in a manner deemed appropriate by stadium officials. Vehicles are subject to being towed at the owner's expense.
- Monitor the weather prior to the game. Take the necessary precautions to protect your family and friends in the event of severe heat or severe weather before, during, or after the game. In the event of inclement weather during the game, please be prepared to evacuate the stadium and return to your car.
For first aid and emergency medical services, please visit the first aid station near the stadium restrooms in the southwest corner. Emergency Medical Operations are staffed by Duke Life Light. In case of emergency, please contact the nearest police officer for assistance or call Duke Police at (919) 684-2444 or dial 9-1-1.
Please be aware that baseballs and/or bats may enter the Whitford Drive and stadium seating areas at any time. There is a protective net between the field of play and the stadium grandstand immediately behind home plate. Guests in lawn seating are asked to stay within the designated lawn seating area and note that there is no netting in place. All guests should be alert and aware of their surroundings at all times during warm-ups and the game.
The gates to all Duke Baseball events will open one (1) hour prior to the start of the game. Patrons with purses, bags, and strollers are subject to searches. Gates are located along the third base line on Whitford Drive and at the top of the stairs behind the grandstand.
If you are in need of assistance or information, please seek out the nearest stadium staff member and ask for the game day manager.
Duke Athletics expects all fans to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner at all times before, during, and after the competition. We expect all fans to treat other fans, players, coaches and officials with courtesy. Please join us in creating a fun, safe, family-friendly atmosphere at Duke Events by not:
- Interfering with other guests’ ability to enjoy the game;
- Using/displaying foul or abusive language or gestures;
- Appearing to be intoxicated or in a diminished capacity;
- Failing to produce a ticket upon request or sitting in a seat that does not match your ticket;
- Entering the competition or restricted access areas;
- Smoking;
- Throwing objects into the competition area or within the venue; or
- Otherwise being disorderly.
Violators are subject to ejection and possible arrest. Fans should contact a stadium official if they feel someone is not acting appropriately.
If the weather exceeds 85 degrees on game day, Game Operations will set up a heat management station beside the 3rd base dugout. The station will include a misting fan, cups and ice water.
- Duke Game Operations utilizes Schneider Electric DTN/Telvent Weather Sentry Turf Edition software and notification services. Duke Game Operations will monitor the weather 24 hours a day and use the following policy: Evacuation will occur if the storm path comes within an eight (8) miles radius of the facility. In the event that the stadium needs to be evacuated, the PA Announcer will notify all spectators. At this point we need to have everyone clear the stadium as quickly as possible.
- The safest location for people to go is in a hard-topped car with the windows up. In the absence of a vehicle, Event Staff will direct people to a safe location. The stadium will remain closed until the storm is clear of an eight (8) mile radius of the facility. Resumption of play will only occur once an all clear has been given and conditions are deemed safe after consultation between the umpires and Duke Game Operations.
If any article is lost or found in the stadium, please inquire about or report the item to the nearest stadium staff member. In general, to inquire about lost items please contact Duke Game Operations at (919) 668-5658 or email at duaa-gameops@duke.edu. Unclaimed lost and found items will be retained for thirty (30) days following the event. After that time, any unclaimed items will be discarded.
The new Johnson Family Team Store is located inside the Scott Family Athletic Performance Center. Store hours can be found by visiting the Duke Stores website at www.dukestores.duke.edu/index.php/store-hours/
- Parking Information:
- Free General Public Parking is available in the Whitford Parking Lot (Accessible Parking) and Science Drive Garage (General Public Parking). If a baseball game coincides with another event or game day, there may be adjustments to this availability. For special event and game day parking information, visit www.goduke.com/gameday.
- General public parking for persons with disabilities is available in the reserved spots in the Whitford Parking Lot.
- An accessible drop-off/pick-up point for persons with disabilities is located in front of Jack Coombs Field. Vehicles should be returned to the Whitford Drive parking lot for parking.
- There are Pay to Park spots along Bassett Drive on the third base side of the field. Please use caution, as it is possible for a foul ball to reach these spots.
- Accessible Parking for Guests with Disabilities: General public parking for guests with disabilities will be available in the Whitford Lot (110 Whitford Drive, Durham, NC) during all home games. Please note that ADA parking placards or license plates are required for ADA parking. One car only per placard. If you need assistance or have questions about ADA parking on Duke’s campus for events, please contact Duke Disability Management System at (919) 668-1267. Please speak to the parking lot attendant for access. There is no charge to park. The lot opens (2) hours prior to game time. When a baseball game crosses over with a basketball, track, or lacrosse game, alternative parking may be required. Specific details will be provided in a parking & traffic alert on www.goduke.com/gameday prior to game day.
- Parking Disclaimer: Duke University assumes no responsibility for loss through fire, theft, collision, or otherwise to the car or contents. Vehicles are parked at Owner's Risk. Please lock your vehicle. Please be aware that baseballs may enter the Whitford Drive parking areas at any time.
- Parking Emergency Information: In case of emergency please dial 9-1-1 for Durham County or 919-684-2444 for Duke Police Emergency Dispatch. Duke Police will be the primary responder on-campus for emergency calls. Durham Police will be the primary responder off-campus for emergency calls. If an emergency occurs and authorities are contacted, please designate someone in your party to help direct emergency personnel to the emergency location.
- Tailgating: Tailgating is permitted in the grass area in front of Science Drive Garage. Call 919-668-5728 or email hospitality@duaa.duke.edu to discuss options.
Game programs have gone digital and are available on goduke.com. A QR code will be available at the Marketing table to scan along the grandstand.
For the safety and game day experience of all fans, the following items are prohibited from entering the stadium:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Artificial noisemakers
- Backpacks and large bags (exception: medical and childcare reasons)
- Balloons
- Balls and frisbees
- Cameras with lens over 4 inches
- Coolers and Containers (ice chests or other like containers)
- All drones and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) – Duke University Drone Policy
- Hazardous materials
- Items obstructing sightlines of other fans
- Laser pointers
- Selfie sticks
- Pets (except service animals)
- Outside food and beverages (exception: medical reasons, including pregnancy)
- Shoes with wheels (wheelies)
- Video cameras
- Weapons of any kind (including pocket knives)
Duke University reserves the right to deny anyone or anything from entering the stadium. Any such items should be returned to your vehicle and/or discarded. All fans are subject to search before entering the stadium.
For the safety of all in attendance, bags/items are not permitted to be left unattended outside of Jack Coombs Field. Unattended bags/items found outside the stadium will be dealt with in a manner deemed appropriate by stadium officials, including but not limited to disposal. Duke University and Duke Athletics are not responsible for loss of any unattended items.
Re-entry is permitted to Jack Coombs Field. Guests wishing to leave and then re-enter the stadium must keep their valid game ticket. Guests must receive a stamp from entry staff prior to leaving, in order to be readmitted into the stadium. All items are subject to search upon re-entry to the stadium.
There are three (3) restroom trailers located within Jack Coombs Field. Two (2) are behind the third base dugout and one (1) is located behind the batter’s eye in the outfield for patrons using hospitality spaces. There are also bathrooms located underneath the covered stadium seating area on the lower level of the stadium. The access door is located behind the seating area and both restrooms are accessible for persons with disabilities. For a gender-neural accessible family restroom, please see an Event Staff member and ask them to contact Duke Game Operations for assistance.
- A game day manager will be on-site from the time gates open until post-game. They are available for your assistance if needed. Police/Security officers will be present for all games. For emergencies, please call 911 or contact the closest stadium staff member.
- All Items Subject to Search
- Small bags, purses and fanny packs are permitted into Duke Baseball events, however are subject to search by stadium officials.
- Backpacks and large bags are not permitted inside the stadium.
- Strollers and other items which contain storage areas are subject to search.
- To Report Game Day Problems, Unruly Fans or Suspicious Activity: Please report any problems, concerns, unruly fans or suspicious activity to the nearest stadium staff member.
- Re-Entry into Stadium: Fans wishing to leave and then re-enter the stadium may do so but they must keep their valid game ticket. Fans re-entering must show valid game ticket for entry. All items are subject to search upon re-entry to the stadium.
Scouts wishing to gain access to a Duke baseball game will need to have a valid scout card for entry into the venue ahead of the gate opening time at sixty (60) minutes before first pitch. Parking is available 2 hours prior to first pitch.
Seating at Jack Coombs Field is assigned in chair backs and bleacher seating. The lawn is general admission and standing room only.
Persons with Disabilities Seating: Persons with disabilities seating is available in the first row of the stadium seating. If you are in need of assistance or information, please find the nearest stadium staff member.
Duke Game Operations will monitor the weather 24 hours a day leading up to and throughout the entirety of the game.
If a storm producing severe weather will come within fifteen (15) miles of Jack Coombs Field, the PA Announcer will make an announcement to notify guests of the presence of severe weather (including lightning) and will notify guests that they may leave and re-enter the stadium later if they wish to seek shelter.
A mandatory evacuation of Jack Coombs Field will occur if a storm producing severe weather (including lightning) will come within an eight (8) mile radius of the stadium. In the event of a mandatory evacuation, the PA Announcer will direct all guests to evacuate the stadium and seek shelter immediately. In most scenarios, guests will be directed to their vehicles for shelter. If it is unsafe for guests to return to their vehicles, the PA Announcer will designate the nearest safe shelter locations. Event Staff and Duke Game Operations will be available to assist guests with disabilities in seeking shelter once an evacuation is activated.
The stadium will remain closed until severe weather including lightning is clear of an eight (8) mile radius of Jack Coombs Field. Resumption of play will only occur once an all clear has been given and conditions are deemed safe after consultation among Duke Game Operations, Duke Police and Game Officials. Re-entry will be permitted with a valid ticket stub. Guests and personal items are subject to inspection and search prior to re-entering the stadium.
Duke University is a Tobacco-Free Campus, including game days at Duke Softball Stadium. The policy prohibits the use of all tobacco-based products, including but not limited to:
- Cigarettes
- Cigars and cigarillos
- Chewing tobacco and snuff
- Electronic smoking devices (e.g., e-cigarettes, vaping products, IQOS)
For more information on Duke University’s Tobacco-Free Campus policy, visit https://healthy.duke.edu/tobaccofree/.
Call 919-668-5728 or email hospitality@duaa.duke.edu to discuss hospitality options and to see how Duke can cater to your event needs.
Umbrellas are permitted inside Duke Baseball facilities. For the courtesy and safety of all fans, we ask that when raising umbrellas, you do not obstruct the view of other fans or staff.
All Will Call can be picked up at the Bassett Drive Ticket Booth near the southwest entrance 60 minutes prior to the start of the game.
Visiting Team Player/Guest tickets for game at Jack Coombs Field can be picked up on game day at the ticket booth located on Whitford Drive ticket booth near Koskinen Stadium entrance 60 minutes prior to the start of the game. Duke Player/Guest tickets are digital.
All guests picking up tickets at will call locations must present a valid, state-issued, photo driver’s license or identification card. By NCAA rule, all guests picking up Player/Guest tickets must provide valid identification, sign for their ticket, and immediately enter the stadium.
All fans picking up tickets at will call locations must present a valid state issued photo driver’s license or identification card.