By KEITH UPCHURCH

kupchurch@heraldsun.com; 419-6612

DURHAM -- It's homecoming for the Durham Bulls.

No ordinary homecoming, but a return to the historic Durham Athletic Park, where the team hasn't played in almost 16 years.

Tonight's game against the Toledo Mud Hens starts at 7:05 p.m., and promises to bring back sweet memories to those who spent their childhood -- or maybe their adulthood -- watching Minor League Baseball and eating hot dogs at the old, but now renovated, ballpark on Corporation Street downtown.

And it's a chance to see how renovations have returned the storied ballpark, made famous by the 1988 film "Bull Durham," to its former glory.

"A lot of people have a lot of memories of that ballpark, and this is a way to kind of get everyone back in there for the day and let the Bulls relive their history," said Jill Rusinko, the Durham Athletic Park's manager. "And with all the work that was done to the facility, it gives the community a chance to see it in its full swing. It will definitely be an exciting day."

Rusinko said the ballpark has 2,000 seats and can accommodate another 3,000 for lawn seating in its picnic areas. She said the Durham Bulls have arranged to make parking available at different sites near the park. The cost is $3, and details are on the Bulls' Web site.

The park was the site of the Durham Bulls from 1926 to 1994. The team moved to its new home at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, also downtown, in 1995.

A $5.5 million renovation to the Durham Athletic Park funded by a city bond began in July 2008 and was completed in August 2009.

It's still being used for games by N.C. Central University, the Durham School of the Arts and the American Legion. It has hosted other events, including the Beer Festival, in recent years.

"It's a great time to come see the ballpark, see what the city has done," Rusinko said. "Come on down and support the Bulls."

Matt DeMargel, director of media relations and promotions for the Durham Bulls, said tickets are still available and will probably be available at the park tonight.

Country music star Jason Michael Carroll will sing the national anthem, and there will be a fly-over of airplanes from the 1940s.

"We're excited about tonight," DeMargel said. "This was our home for 55 years. There's a lot of history there. We think this will be a great night full of great memories."

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Get tickets for tonight's game

For tickets, which are $9, call (919) 687-6500 or visit www.durhambulls.com.