Suicide Squeeze to Win the State Championship

[Zivnuska]

This is the play that Bishop Carroll used in the bottom of the 6th (7 inning game) to score what turned out to be the winning run in a 4-3 thriller for the state (Kansas) championship. The score was 3-1 at the time and this insurance run made it 4-1. The opposing team scored two runs in the top of the 7th to make it 4-3 and had the bases loaded with 2 outs but couldn't tie the game.



1. As the runner on third breaks for the plate, the batter squares to bunt, motions at the ball but does not hit it. The catcher is unable to field the pitch cleanly. Note ball on knee.
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2.
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3. He scoops up the ball with his catcher's mitt, and it's a race to the plate.
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4.
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5.
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6.
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7. Safe!
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8. Joy
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C & C appreciated.

1D IV, 1/800, f/4.0, ISO 800 using the 300mm f/2.8

My focus pre-set on the 300 was set on the plate. I used f/4 to increase dof to try to have runner and catcher in focus. Av used because of scattered clouds. When the runner broke to the plate, I turned the focus pre-set ring, aimed at the plate, fired away at 10fps, and waited for the action to arrive.


Phil

[Brian_R]

WOW. excellent series of shots that tell a great story. #8 really seals the deal to great celebration shot.

always enjoy seeing your stuff. keep it up phil

[rick_reno]

Great action shots

[pat.kane]

Originally Posted by Zivnuska

My focus pre-set on the 300 was set on the plate. I used f/4 to increase dof to try to have runner and catcher in focus.

Excellent series of photos. Thanks for providing the explanation as I was curious how you kept the sequence in focus instead of focus jumping to the wall.

[Zivnuska]

Originally Posted by pat.kane

Thanks for providing the explanation as I was curious how you kept the sequence in focus instead of focus jumping to the wall.

Since I use the back button focus technique, once I turned the focus pre-set ring, I just kept my thumb off the back button and held the shutter button down knowing that the camera would not attempt to re-focus.

Whenever I shoot baseball, I set the pre-focus to whatever base is most likely to be the site of the next action. The Canon super telephoto lenses (>300mm with large aperture) have this feature. Very handy for double play balls or steals. In this case, after the previous pitch, the manager came out of the third base dugout, called time and went across the field to talk to the first base ump. I thought "This is screwy, something is up" and was on alert to look for some kind of trick play.

[RSB]

Outstanding series. If you were only to view #6, it would be hard to tell if the runner was safe or out, and it would, on it's own, be a great shot. But, #4 and #5 shows that he was apparently safe by several feet. 10fps leaves little for the imagination. Not a bad thing, just an observation. Awesome jube #8.

[Mrsancheezz]

GReat series, i like the story you told there, and ofcourse, the last pic showed everyone's joy.

[Madjackdog]

Excellent!

[AUSSCOTT]

great series

[pbelarge]

What, no video..hehehe

This is what photojournalism is all about! Nice work, love the story.

[Joemt]

Did the batter pull back on the bunt or just miss?
Runner is usually a sitting duck at that point.
Great series......though

Joemt.

[mrwilt]

Love that confident look in #8.

[joeblack2022]

Love the storytelling, great work Phil!