Shooting Baseball (MLB)

[aviator.4.life]

This is going to be my first time shooting an MLB game tomorrow, just wanted to know from the experienced what the best technique is for getting good shots. Do you focus on one player hoping for the ball to come to him or is there enough time to get the camera over there from the batter/pitcher? I have no clue so some tips would greatly be appreciated, thanks.

[DDCSD]

The best shooters anticipate what will happen next. A good knowledge of the teams that are playing and their tendencies is almost essential to get the best results.

[Rocketdun]

Glad you got you chance to shoot a MLB game. A great deal of what you get will depend on where you are shooting from, will you be allowed to shoot from a camera pit on the field ? Will you be shooting from the stands ? Is it a day game or a night game. So much depends on where you will be allowed to shoot, and of course the time you will be shooting. If you shoot a day game you the time of the shoot will be a tremendous factor
most stadiums develop terrible shadows as the sunsets so be careful and mindful of that.
If you are shooting a night game you will have to shoot at the higher ISOs depending on how good the lighting in the stadium is. Even though you may think the lighting is great to watch the game, it plays havoc on your ability to take good camera shots and stop the action. Keep in mind that you want to shoot with your lens as wide open as you can. The lens most used by most sports photographers is the 70-200 2.8 because not only the quality of the lens but it's ability to focus quickly and give you a sharp image.
It is important to keep one eye open if you are going to be near or on the field for stray balls the last thing you would want to do is get your equipment smashed, or even worse you by a ball or broken bat.
Enjoy the game good luck

[dmwierz]

The lens most used by most sports photographers is the 70-200 2.8 because not only the quality of the lens but it's ability to focus quickly and give you a sharp image.

While in general the 70-200 f/2.8 lens is the most popular sports lens, it's not the best for MLB - the most used MLB lens is a 400 f/2.8. A 70-200 will be too short for all but the closest of action.

Define what "This is going to be my first time shooting an MLB game tomorrow" means. Where are you going to be located? The makes a HUGE difference as to what advice you'll get. Have you shot baseball before, and if so, at what level?

[aviator.4.life]

While in general the 70-200 f/2.8 lens is the most popular sports lens, it's not the best for MLB - the most used MLB lens is a 400 f/2.8. A 70-200 will be too short for all but the closest of action.

Define what "This is going to be my first time shooting an MLB game tomorrow" means. Where are you going to be located? The makes a HUGE difference as to what advice you'll get. Have you shot baseball before, and if so, at what level?

7th row from the field half way between home and 1st.

[clarence]

This is going to be my first time shooting an MLB game tomorrow, just wanted to know from the experienced what the best technique is for getting good shots. Do you focus on one player hoping for the ball to come to him or is there enough time to get the camera over there from the batter/pitcher? I have no clue so some tips would greatly be appreciated, thanks.

7th row from the field half way between home and 1st.

Start with a few of the pitcher and batter. For the pitcher, snap the ball visible in the windup and release. For the batter, work on your timing for bat on ball, but this is tough since it takes a good pitch and a good swing. For left handed batters, you'll get better faces after their swing is complete.

Once a hit is made, aim towards first. Capture the throw right before it hits the 1B's glove. With a little luck, you'll capture the runner's foot on the bag. Otherwise, it'll be clear that the runner was out.

If the runner is safe at first, stay focused on him. Watch for pick-off attempts and dives back to base. Watch for steal attempts. And ultimately, watch for double plays... my favorite play to try to capture. Get the runner as he tackle slides into 2nd, get the 2B as he jumps and throws to 1B.

With a 200mm max, give up on the outfielders... unless it's a great diving catch, the basic pop-fly catches aren't too exciting to capture, especially if you don't have 400mm.

From there, try to stay a base ahead of the lead runner... when another hit is made, watch for close plays at 3B and home.

Warmup throws between innings are also good times to capture infielders in action without waiting for the ball to come to them during a real play (especially 3B and SS).

[dmwierz]

Clarence's advice is sound. With the 70-200, you need to manage your expectations, and realize you're going to be restricted to infield only, and even then the action across the diamond will be pretty far away (in your case, anything happening around second base, for example, or even the SS-3B area). But, even at second, give it a try - this is digital and the only thing "used" is memory.

[Rocketdun]

Well, If I had known you had been accepted to sports shooter and after taking a look at photos posted on your sports shooter page I think you will do alright, it may be your first MLB game however if it's or was anywhere near what you have posted you will do just fine.
I did not mention the 400 because I did not see it listed in your lenses.