Little League Baseball - bat on ball..

[pigtailpat]

It's nice that the games are back. I was a bit nervous I would forget everything I learned last year. Today was very overcast, and not a nice day. However, this is the closest so far to coming with a bat on all (at bat). To bad it's at a strange angle, and the face cannot be seen....:oops:

Image was not edited, and eventually I'll crop out the errant mitt.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b243/pigtailpat/_MG_0030.jpg

PS - I don't get it, I rotated the image on photobucket, not showing up, sorry.

[jimmywires]

say pat, nice shot do you have your 30d on rapid fire? today was my first time shooting little league i had Lucille wide open

[pigtailpat]

say pat, nice shot do you have your 30d on rapid fire? today was my first time shooting little league i had Lucille wide open

Lucille? a pet name for your camera? Yes, I had mine set to high. My town's little league organization still won't let on the field by the dugout, by the fence at the first base side, those few little feet would make a big difference. I had hoped to bag a sigma 120-300 by now, but still nothing. So I make do with what I have.

Pat

[dmwierz]

Jimmy,

Putting your camera on "rapid fire" will NOT increase your chances of getting ball-on-bat or even ball-in-frame. The only way to do this consistently is by timing the shot.

[JeffreyG]

And don't curse those overcast days. They are the best available.

In bright sun it is nearly impossible to get detail on the face under a cap while controlling the sun lit uniforms. I'll take overcast any time!

[Sledhed]

To bad it's at a strange angle, and the face cannot be seen....:oops:

That's the problem with most bat on ball shots, no face. I have a couple where you can see the face but most of them have no face so they get deleted. I'm not real sure if this is bat on ball or if he just swung below it, hard to tell.

Dennis is right, it's all about the timing. I usually shoot with two eyes open so I can watch the pitcher.

[dAndrickPhoto]

And don't curse those overcast days. They are the best available.

In bright sun it is nearly impossible to get detail on the face under a cap while controlling the sun lit uniforms. I'll take overcast any time!

I totally agree on that. Shooting my brother's college game was a disaster in the sun. The only thing that was lit were the jersey's and the hat. No face detail whatsoever. Overcast any day for me

[pigtailpat]

That's the problem with most bat on ball shots, no face. I have a couple where you can see the face but most of them have no face so they get deleted. I'm not real sure if this is bat on ball or if he just swung below it, hard to tell.

Dennis is right, it's all about the timing. I usually shoot with two eyes open so I can watch the pitcher.

Chris -

I was doing a little of that yesterday (two eyes open to watch pitcher). I believe that's how I caught this (not sure though). Now a question for you on that. Once the pitcher releases that ball (and this is little league - not 90 mph major league or whatever speed they pitch at), just how fast do you react to get the batter? I was working a bit timing that, but I didn't get it quite right with more predictability. Is there any tip on that you can pass along?

As an aside, I was completely stunned earlier this season, when I went to a game (without the camera as my mom (75) was with me and she really can't sit through a whole game). I couldn't believe how many people asked me if I was going to shoot this season. I do this for myself, and I didn't it mattered to anyone.

Everyone prefers overcast? I didn't really think about it from that perspective. I like sunny days because then I can use the extender and not worry about cutting the aperture.

Pat

[Sledhed]

Chris -

I was doing a little of that yesterday (two eyes open to watch pitcher). I believe that's how I caught this (not sure though). Now a question for you on that. Once the pitcher releases that ball (and this is little league - not 90 mph major league or whatever speed they pitch at), just how fast do you react to get the batter? I was working a bit timing that, but I didn't get it quite right with more predictability. Is there any tip on that you can pass along?
Pat

Pat - It's all about the timing and it's different with every age group, and that just takes time and practice and then some more practice. Like I said I'm not a real fan of bat on ball shots because you usually don't get the face in the shot, I prefer to see the ball just before impact (like the shot below) because you can usually still see the face. I just wish people wouldn't sit up against the backstop fence.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2185/2445753750_9b166e331c_o.jpg

[fslshooter]

I was working a bit timing that, but I didn't get it quite right with more predictability. Is there any tip on that you can pass along? Pat

Pat - I have only one good eye, so I look through the viewfinder with it and close my bad eye. Thus I watch the batter to see when he's going to swing -- they usually give you a tell-tell indication when they're about to pull trigger. Once you've learned what that sign looks like in most batters and you've learned your own reaction time then you can get well timed batter shots.

[Mike R]

That's the problem with most bat on ball shots, no face. I have a couple where you can see the face but most of them have no face so they get deleted. I'm not real sure if this is bat on ball or if he just swung below it, hard to tell.

Dennis is right, it's all about the timing. I usually shoot with two eyes open so I can watch the pitcher.

Don't be too quick to delete them. It may be a poor shot to us, however to the parents it may be the best, Especially if their kid doesen't get much playing time or doesn't hit much.

Whit I find difficult is that although I have full access, the fencing at some locations makes the job more difficult. That along with not being able to shoot from just one spot to get different types of shots.

[jimmywires]

Pat i say open that bad boy up and let em rip.... its all luck anyway

[jimmywires]

See....


1.
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w147/jimmywires/YCLL%2008/potn1.jpg

[jimmywires]

what nobody like my pic? LOL

[dshootist]

I wouldn't say it's all about luck. It's more about knowledge. Do you know the game? do you know the athletes? After a time, you pick up on body language and your timing just follows. I shot the same kids for three years and was able to get the "bat on the ball" shot 90% of the time. Here's an example from a previous thread:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=166200&d=1177299483

[AdamLewis]

Pat i say open that bad boy up and let em rip.... its all luck anyway

Quite possibly the worst advice Ive ever heard. If a batter has to time his swing to hit the ball, why cant you time your shutter to get it in the frame? Its not luck getting the picture any more than it is luck with them hitting the ball.

[Strnge]

It does not have to be all about the actual Bat On Ball shot that makes the photo. Here is a photo of myself playing slow pitch softball 2 weeks ago. The facial expressions can make the shot more than the actual bat on ball ones.

I set my camera up to shoot only on single when I know the timming of the player or shot two shots on burst and review each time to figure out the timing and then switch back to single once I get the timing down.

[AdamLewis]

It does not have to be all about the actual Bat On Ball shot that makes the photo. Here is a photo of myself playing slow pitch softball 2 weeks ago. The facial expressions can make the shot more than the actual bat on ball ones.

I set my camera up to shoot only on single when I know the timming of the player or shot two shots on burst and review each time to figure out the timing and then switch back to single once I get the timing down.

Honestly, I think BOB shots are played out as you normally lose the face of the player. When I first started shooting I couldnt tell you how many wonderful follow through plays I missed because I was only worried about that damn BOB shot.

[jimmywires]

Its not luck getting the picture any more than it is luck with them hitting the ball.
not even a little luck...hittng the ball and getting the picture is apples and oranges

[jimmywires]

After a time, you pick up on body language and your timing just follows.body language is key. and it doesn't hurt to use my shalaylee as a monopod. Luck Adam luck lol

[AdamLewis]

body language is key. and it doesn't hurt to use my shalaylee as a monopod. Luck Adam luck lol

Ok. You keep on with that luck+motor drive thing and Ill stick to doing the same as professionals.