NCAA Baseball at Target Field (7D + 70-200): Minnesota vs. Louisiana Tech

[folville]

10-1 Gophers loss in the first game played at Target Field in Downtown Minneapolis. I was a bit short on glass to shoot it (7D + 70-200), but a little cropping can do wonders for the infield anyway. It was the first sporting even I've shot with the 7D, and I can say it makes my old 30D look like a Holga.

C&C appreciated:

1.http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2740/4468494951_53b5f38af6.jpg

2.http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4469271266_42f2562565.jpg

The first run scored in Target Field:
3.http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4469270780_2ff5b2f68c.jpg

4.http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2684/4469270284_f3e3aeef19.jpg

5.http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2800/4469271058_846d722804.jpg

Minnesota's first run:
6.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4033/4468495899_c87bf13c03.jpg

[Sledhed]

How are the shooting amenities in the new stadium? I'll be there this Friday to shoot the Twins first game in their new home.

[folville]

How are the shooting amenities in the new stadium? I'll be there this Friday to shoot the Twins first game in their new home.

It's not quite what I had hoped for. On both sides of the visitor's dugout there are lowered photo pits. On the home-plate side, the metal table for photogrpahers to sit on is too far from the wall of the pit, so it's a bit uncomfortable: it's also right behind the spot where on-deck batters practice. Further, lots of late-hit balls from left-handed batters come that way, so stay awake, and no chimping.

The home dugout has an area for photographers only on the outfield side, but I did not make it to that side to independently verify this because I was shooting the infield that game.

There are no holes behind the place, which is a huge loss compared to the Metrodome.

[snyderman]

It's going to make for a good trivia question about the player who hit the first HR in the new stadium. I believe it was an LT player?

dave

[Jamescookphoto]

Great captures. The bunt image in #5 is awesome timing. Well done.

[Sledhed]

Thanks for the information folville, hopefully it's not too cold up there on Friday.

Chris

[jsnoah]

this may be a stupid question, so I apologize... You are shooting on a mono-pod, correct? I take my camera all the time to games and can't get crisp images because after a couple innings I get tired of holding a gripped 30D and a 70-200 f2.8 IS L... Your shots are excellent. I can't wait to see that stadium after years and years of watching games in the Metrodome...

[folville]

Great captures. The bunt image in #5 is awesome timing. Well done.
Thanks, I appreciate that (too bad I couldn't get more face in it!).


Thanks for the information folville, hopefully it's not too cold up there on Friday.

Chris

I wouldn't worry about that too much. We're looking at 70 degrees tomorrow, so bring your shorts.

this may be a stupid question, so I apologize... You are shooting on a mono-pod, correct? I take my camera all the time to games and can't get crisp images because after a couple innings I get tired of holding a gripped 30D and a 70-200 f2.8 IS L... Your shots are excellent. I can't wait to see that stadium after years and years of watching games in the Metrodome...

I shoot everything handheld - I don't even own a monopod. I find that my photos suffer with the 30D + 70-200 (I don't have enough experience with the 7D to say just yet) unless I make a conscious effort to balance the lens in my palm, rather than squeezing it between my fingers. Also, it doesn't hurt to find something you might be able to brace your elbow on, in which case you could open your hand up with your thumb down, a more natural wrist position.

Also, I think everybody is glad to be out of the Dome, but I'm not quite sure why we're all of the sudden obsessed with outdoor stadiums here. It seems a bit shortsighted.