Duke University Blue Devils

Accessibility Accommodations and Information

Please find below a list of disability services currently provided at Duke Softball Stadium. Prior to the championship, please feel free to reach out to our disabilities coordinators at 919-668-6213 to help make arrangements for your visit or if you have any special needs, questions, or concerns regarding our accessibility and accommodations. During the championship, please find the nearest Event Staff member or Duke Game Operations for assistance.

• Accessible Parking for Guests with Disabilities – is available for free in the Bivins Lot (GPS Address: 4 Brodie Gym Drive), located above the Duke Softball Stadium on Brodie Gym Drive next to the Bivins Building. The lot opens two (2) hours prior to the first pitch of each championship day. A state issued license plate or placard is required. One license plate or placard per vehicle.
• Accessible Entrance for Guests with Disabilities – is available on the right field side of the facility. There is a paved sidewalk from the Bivins Lot to the right field gate around the Bivins Building.
• Accessible Seating for Guests with Disabilities – is available on the concourse above each dugout. Each chair is removable and can be moved to accommodate guests as needed.
• Accessible Restrooms – an accessible, single occupant restroom is located next to the press box inside the stadium. There are additional restrooms outside of the facility behind the home plate entrance. All locations are accessible and are equipped as such.

The ACC Softball Championship is a ticketed event. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time through the Duke Athletics Website.

It is strictly prohibited to bring alcohol into Duke Softball Stadium. Individuals violating this policy are subject to ejection from the stadium.

Per Atlantic Coast Conference policy for championship events, no artificial noisemakers (i.e. cowbells, whistles, clappers, thundersticks, etc.) are permitted inside the stadium.

There is no ATM on site. There is a Wells Fargo on 9th street, or an ATM in the Family Fare gas station across the street from the Duke Softball Stadium.

Non-clear bags are permitted inside Duke Softball Stadium as long as they are smaller than 14”x14”x6”. All bags will be inspected by Event Staff at entry to the facility and may be refused.

For the safety of all in attendance, bags/items are not permitted to be left unattended outside of Duke Softball Stadium. 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, Duke Athletics, and the Atlantic Coast Conference are not responsible for the loss of any unattended items.

Banners and signs are permitted inside Duke Softball Stadium. 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 permitted for personal use only. No cameras are permitted into the stadium with a lens longer than four (4) inches. Video cameras are permitted inside Duke Softball Stadium for personal use during warmups but may not be used once the game has begun.

Concessions, operated by Proof of the Pudding Provisions, will be located on the concourse of the Duke Softball Stadium grandstand throughout the championship. A great variety of food items and Coca-Cola products will be available. All concessions are cashless.

The Atlantic Coast Conference and Duke Athletics expects all guests to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner at all times before, during and after competition. We expect all guests to treat other guests, student-athletes, coaches and officials with courtesy. Please join us in creating a fun, safe, family atmosphere at Duke Softball Stadium by not:

• Interfering with other guests’ ability to enjoy the game
• Using or displaying foul or abusive language or gestures
• Appearing to be intoxicated or in a diminished capacity
• Entering the competition or restricted access areas
• Smoking or using tobacco products on-campus
• Throwing objects onto the competition area or within the venue
• Otherwise being disorderly

Guests should contact game day staff if they feel someone is not acting appropriately. Violators are subject to ejection and possible arrest.

If you need help while at a game:

• Contact the nearest game day staff member
• Tweet @Duke_GAMEDAY on Twitter with your issue and location

For more information on this championship, please visit the ACC Softball Championship website and follow @TheACC on Twitter. Championship parking alerts and information will also be available www.GoDuke.com and @Duke_GAMEDAY on Twitter.

Information

• During any emergency inside the stadium, 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 get 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. Exit gates for the stadium are located at:
  • Right field concourse gate – located off the sidewalk from Brodie Gym Drive. This is the ONLY accessible entrance/exit to the Duke Softball Stadium from the concourse level
  • Home plate concourse stairwell – located behind the Press Box and Family Restroom
  • 3rd base concourse stairwell – located on the 3rd base side of the concourse
• 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 Duke Athletics staff or police officer.
• Emergency vehicles may be present in and around Duke Softball Stadium. Please do not obstruct the path of travel 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 that suspends competition, please be prepared to evacuate the stadium and return to your vehicle.

Therapy dogs, emotional support dogs, and companion dogs are not Service Animals as defined by the ADA and are not permitted inside Duke Softball Stadium during competition.

For first aid and emergency medical assistance, please visit the designated First Aid location on the concourse inside Duke Softball Stadium. In case of emergency, contact the nearest Event Staff member, call Duke Police at 919-684-2444 or call 9-1-1 to reach Durham Police.

Outside food and beverages, including alcoholic beverages, are not permitted inside Duke Softball Stadium.

Gates to Duke Softball Stadium will open (60) minutes prior to the first event each day of the championship on Wednesday (12:00 PM), Thursday (10:00 AM), Friday (10:00 AM) and Saturday (1:30 PM).

There are three (3) gates to Duke Softball Stadium. Only the right field entrance is accessible for guests with disabilities.

• Third base
• Home plate
• Right field (accessible)

All personal items are subject to inspection prior to entering the stadium.

If any article is lost or found in the stadium, please inquire about or report the item to the nearest Event Staff member. Items turned in during the championship will be delivered to the press box. All lost and found items will be available for pick-up throughout the championship.

All lost and found items not picked up prior to the end of the competition will be available for pick-up by contacting Duke Game Operations. Please call (919) 668-5658 or email 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.

All media and photographers should contact the Atlantic Coast Conference or Duke Athletics Communications prior to the championship for credentials.

Media Will Call for the ACC Softball Championship will be located outside of the venue down the third base line. Media Will Call will open (90) minutes prior to the start of the first event each day of the championship on Wednesday (11:30 AM), Thursday (9:30 AM), Friday (9:30 AM), and Saturday (1:00 PM).

Official ACC Softball Championship merchandise will be sold at the merchandise tent located outside of the right field gate of the Duke Softball Stadium.

• Parking Hours –  all parking lots open two (2) hours prior to the first pitch each day of competition during the championship.
• Team Parking – busses will park, drop off and pick up teams on Broad Street (GPS Address: 705 Broad Street). Cones will be placed in parking spots on the street for each bus.
• General Public Parking - is available free of charge for the championship. Available in several locations, all walkable and featuring sidewalks, parking in each lot will be staffed two (2) hours prior to gates opening. See the map linked above or the ACC Softball website for specific locations and addresses. Due to commencement occurring on west campus, the only lots staffed for the championship game will be the R1 and R1/2 lots.
• Accessible Parking for Guests with Disabilities - is available in the Bivins Lot (GPS Address: 4 Brodie Gym Drive), located above the Duke Softball Stadium on Brodie Gym Drive.
• Parking Disclaimer - Duke University and the Atlantic Coast Conference 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. 
• Parking Emergency Information – in case of emergency please dial 919-684-2444 for Duke Police Emergency Dispatch or 9-1-1 for Durham County. 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 – is only permitted in the R1 parking lot. Fires/flames/charcoal are strictly prohibited.

Personal Pets are not permitted inside Duke Softball Stadium during competition. Exception: Service Animals assisting guests with disabilities and Service Animals in Training. Note: Therapy dogs, emotional support dogs, and companion dogs are not Service Animals as defined by the ADA and are not permitted inside Duke Softball Stadium.

For the safety and game day experience of all guests, the following items are prohibited from entering Duke Softball Stadium:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Artificial noisemakers
• Balloons, balls and frisbees
• Cameras with lens over four (4) inches
• All drones and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) – Duke University Drone Policy
• Hazardous materials
• Items obstructing sightlines of other guests (umbrellas may not be raised in the seating bowl)
• Laser pointers
• Pets (except service animals)
• Selfie sticks
• Shoes with wheels (wheelies)
• Weapons of any kind (including pocket knives)

Duke University and the Atlantic Coast Conference reserve the right to deny anyone or anything from entering the stadium. Any such items should be returned to your vehicle and/or discarded. All guests and items being brought into the stadium 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 Williams Field at Jack Katz Stadium. Unattended bags/items found outside the stadium will be dealt with in in a manner deemed appropriate by stadium officials, including but not limited to disposal. Duke University, Duke Athletics and the Atlantic Coast Conference are not responsible for loss of any unattended items.

Re-entry is permitted at Duke Softball Stadium with a valid ticket.

Men’s and Women’s Restrooms are located outside of the stadium behind the home plate entrance. A single occupant accessible restroom is located in the press box on the concourse.

Bleacher seating is located behind home plate inside Duke Softball Stadium. Outside chairs (lounge chairs, folding chairs, etc.) are permitted in the grass areas beyond the right field wall inside of the barricades. Outside chairs are not permitted inside the stadium.

Seating for guests with disabilities is available on the concourse behind each dugout. Each chair is removable and can be moved to accommodate guests as needed.

Duke University Athletics welcomes trained Service Animals to Duke Softball Stadium. A Service Animal is a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. A Service Animal must be under the control of the handler at all times. A Service Animal must be leashed or tethered unless doing so would interfere with the task that it was trained to perform for the individual with a disability. A Service Animal must not show aggression toward people or other animals. A Service Animal does not bark, growl, or whine unless trained to do so as a warning sign to the handler.  A Service Animal does not solicit food or other items from the general public. A Service Animal’s work does not disrupt the normal course of business. Service Animals should wear current rabies vaccination tags at all times or provide proof of vaccination upon request. If a Service Animal is found in violation of these guidelines, the Service Animal will be excluded from the facility or event.

Note: Therapy dogs, emotional support dogs, and companion dogs are not Service Animals as defined by the ADA and are not permitted inside Duke Softball Stadium during competition.

In North Carolina, Service Animals in Training have the same access rights as people with disabilities using a Service Animal. The Service Animal in Training must wear a collar and leash, harness or cape that identifies it as a Service Animal in Training. Service Animals in Training should wear current rabies vaccination tags at all times or provide proof of vaccination upon request. The trainer is liable for any damage caused by the animal while on Duke property. Service Animals in Training must be under the control of the handler at all times, must be housebroken, and must follow all behavior guidelines established for fully trained Service Animals.  If the Service Animal in Training is found in violation of these guidelines, the Service Animal in Training will be excluded from the facility.

The Atlantic Coast Conference and Duke Game Operations will monitor the weather leading up to and throughout the championship.

If a storm producing severe weather will come within fifteen (15) miles of Duke Softball Stadium, 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 Duke Softball Stadium will occur if a storm producing severe weather (including lightning) will come within an eight (8) mile radius of the venue. In the event of a mandatory evacuation, the PA Announcer will direct all guests to evacuate the stadium and seek shelter immediately. In a severe weather evacuation scenario, meet participants and guests will not be permitted to remain under tents or other temporary track-side structures.

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 will be available to assist guests in seeking shelter once an evacuation is activated.

Duke Softball Stadium will remain closed until severe weather including lightning is clear of an eight (8) mile radius of the venue. Resumption of competition will only occur once an all clear has been given and conditions are deemed safe after consultation among the Atlantic Coast Conference, Duke Game Operations, Duke Police and Meet Officials.

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, cigarillos, chewing tobacco, snuff, and electronic smoking devices (including e-cigarettes, vaping products, and IQOS). For more information on Duke University’s Tobacco-Free Campus policy, visit https://healthy.duke.edu/tobaccofree/.

Stadium map

Strollers are permitted inside Duke Softball Stadium. Please note that there is no stroller check inside the stadium. Guests may park strollers outside of the stadium at their own risk. Duke University and the Atlantic Coast Conference assume no responsibility for loss of any items left in unattended strollers.

Umbrellas are permitted inside Duke Softball Stadium. Umbrellas may be raised in the bleachers as long as they do not obstruct or interfere with another guest’s enjoyment of the game.

All championship video footage rights are the property of the Atlantic Coast Conference and its television partners. Video cameras are permitted for personal use only during warmups and must be turned off and stored once the game has begun.