Looks like you did well for your first outing.
Here are my thoughts:
1: Crop tighter and vertical.
2: I agree about shooting pitchers from their open side (RHP from 3rd base, LHP's from 1st). Also, you might want to think about a little exposure compensation to lighten the shadows under the bill of the cap.
3: Doesn't do anything for me. A runner sliding into a base - where's the ball? Why is this an important play? Also, sliding plays are best (as are all shots) when we can see the runner's face.
4: Only interesting because the ball hit the ump. Otherwise, nothing worth shooting.
5: The runner is a little soft, but the fielder is way out of focus. Also, where is the ball?
Here's a comment that applies to several of your shots: the background is way too cluttered. Yeah, I know, you can't move the rail cars...but you usually can move yourself. When you choose a shooting location, don't forget to look at backgrounds. Your EXIF shows (1/800s f/10.0 ISO400 125mm Shutter Priority). Shoot as wide open as you can to blur the backgrounds. f/10 is WAY too small and results in all that nonsense in the background being too close to being in focus.
Also, shoot aperture priority, not shutter priority.
Re-read my last sentence, then read it again.
6: Nice expressions.
7: Nice smile, and you got good and low. Did something of note happen on this play?
When parents buy pictures, they want sharp faces of their kids above all else. We have no problem selling our 4x6's for $8, BTW even though Costco only charges $.16 to print them. When a shot is clearly a professionally-captured photograph, people never question paying this amount.
Once you start taking money for shooting, though, things get a LOT more complicated for you and for the parents. Their expectations go up, and you end up putting pressure on yourself that isn't there now. Just be sure you know what you're getting into. Also, when you step on a field, you are assuming a TON of liability, and despite what you may read from some on this forum, you need to be aware of this. Take it from somebody who knows of shooters who have almost lost it all because of something happening involving them on the field. I would also strongly suggest you contact the League Administrator to get permission to not only shoot, but to sell, and get this permission in writing.
You might want to consider the Sigma 20-700 f/2.8 lens. It's almost the same quality as the Canon L version, and is several hundred $$$ cheaper (As far as the Canon version of this lens goes, the IS adds nothing to your capabilities for sports photography, and adds hundreds of dollars to the price tag). During the day, you can add a 1.4X TC for more reach if you want. FWIW, I regularly shoot Little League with a 400mm prime, and only rarely find it too long (I carry a 70-200, sometimes on a second body, sometimes to swap out).
HTH,
Dennis
