advice for 1st time baseball shooter?

[doubledragon]

I'm shooting my first HS baseball game tomorrow, for a local paper- and I've never shot baseball. I have no idea if my lenses will be adequate, but plan on just using my 70-200 (with or without the 1.4x converter) for most of the game.

My plan is to just wing it, but would like to get an understanding of the basic do's and dont's beforehand. Can anyone share some tips or perhaps a last minute crash course?

I'm also wondering, how do people shoot through the batters cage? Is there a trick to it?

[MJPhotos24]

Check this out...

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=136949

Make sure you get there early, figure out the ground rules - some places are easy to shoot in while others are not. Introduce yourself to the home coach without getting in the way (i.e. wait until he's not busy with the team, talking to the umps, doing infield/outfield, etc). Once infield/outfield starts coaches don't want to be dealing with other things - even if it's the other team they are trying to watch how good certain positions are so they can come up with a plan or make notes.

As for batting cages it's easy to shoot into, you get up close. However, not all coaches will allow you to do this and need permission. The paper won't be using shots in the cage if it's a game story, player story maybe. Most publications I shoot for say they don't want BP cage shots.

[sun5150]

Somethings I learned.

Shooting from first base side is a little better.
You'll get the faces of the right hand batters during there swing...since there are more right hand batters.
You'll see lefty pitchers facing you.
Pick off plays at first base.
Direct line from second base when they turn a double play.

Watch out for the first base coach.
The umpire most likely be by second base since HS games use a 2 man umpire.

The third base side you see the lefty batter and righty pitcher.
You'll get a better sliding pics going into 2nd and 3rd base.

From behind the plate you'll get the pitcher throwing the ball to the batter.
Ball in mid flight with picther and batter in pic.


Have fun and just take as many as you can.

at least 1/1000 for shutter speed if you can to freeze ball and swing.

[TheSportsGuy]

RULE 1: Make sure that little hard ball does not break your face, or any other part of your body.

:D

[MJPhotos24]

RULE 1: Make sure that little hard ball does not break your face, or any other part of your body.

:D
That's Rule 2: Rule 1 is don't let that little hard ball break your GEAR! Broken jaws heal and are a great diet program!