shooting live sports

[timsf]

I'm not a big sports fan, but I think it would be cool to shoot a football or baseball game.

Do stadiums allow this? Will the SF Giants or 49ers be OK with me shooting the game? Can I simply bring my camera and any lenses and shoot away?

What kind of restrictions are there, if any?

If this is OK, how much action can I get with the 70-200 2.8 or 70-300 4/5.6?
E.g. how far back can I sit and still get decent shots from?

Thanks.

[Stan43]

I take college and pro football shots from about 40 rows up at an angle in the end zone with a 100-400L. You can shoot the whole field with it and get close ups from about 30 yds in on your end of the field.

[sirsloop]

it really depends on the venue. At the meadlowlands (ny jets), they are very strict about camera's. I was going sidelines to shoot with the canon pro so I didnt get flagged. The Jets rep there told me that any large or white lenses usually get rejected and the person has to go back to their car to leave it. The 70-300 IS might make it through, just reverse the lens hood and lock it at 70 so its not as long. 70-200 f/2.8.... I doubt it at the meadowlands.

call up the stadium and ask what they allow. It varies from place to place for sure.