Shooting Baseball/Softball

When shooting baseball/softball where do you usually stand? Outside fence, bleachers, etc. I usually sit near the fence and shoot through it. Any help or tips?

Thanks,

I found this thread quite helpful.

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=135417

I typically have access to the field and stand near first or third base depending on the base coaches...they are my enemy!

I also spend a lot of time behind the batter to get great field shots, you just switch sides depending on the lefty/righty.

One thing I like to do when shooting from the stands.
I catch the players during pregame when they are congregated
on the line just past the bases... granted it's not going to yield
game action however you can get close and it will yield some
nice sportrait type shots...

Depending on the field configuration, I shoot through the backstop as each pitcher warms up before the game/inning starts. Remember, they may not make it out of the first inning so shoot the starting pitcher first.

Depending on righty or leftie, I will grab some shots through the fence from along the base path towards the dugout. Eventually, I wind up on the field past the dugout. Most of the time, I walk around to the other side of the field and do some of the same shots. Just looking for a good angle or two.

Note: The above examples are for high school softball and baseball. I have media credentials and haven't had any problems with field access from coaches or umpires. All have been very friendly.
Mike

You see that is my problem. I don't have media credentials. I might ask the coach, who I know very well, to see if she minds if stand on the field.

Thanks,

What level/age are we talking about?

This is High School Softball.

I would think you would just need approval from the coach and principal for access to the field unless its playoffs.

I would think the best place to stand outside the field is as close the 3rd/1st base as you can get. Each field will be different of course. Get a small lader or stool and and take pictures over the fence if needed. 1st base side is dangerous, pay atention always but even more between innings!

When I have access I make sure and at least introduce myself to the umpires, very few ever say anything but when they make a request I listen.

one thing I'd add is not to be fooled by the direction of the batter. What I am trying to say is that one might tned to think shooting a lefty batter from the first base side is worthless but watch for faces on the follow through. I actually find I get more faces on a lefty from the first base side than a righty (at least during the peak swing action).

allstar25, what kind of fence do you have to contend with? Is it chain link stype or nylon netting? I've had to shoot through both. Sometimes the fence is galvanize and presents a problem if the sun is at a bad angle. Other times, the fence is dark green and that isn't so bad. Shooting through the green nylon netting isn't bad at all. Several of the baseball fields have this type of backstop and it really isn't a problem.

I think the key is to get as close to the fence as possible. Shoot with your lens wide open or maybe stopped down a half stop. My lenses are f/2.8 so I can shoot wide open or maybe f/3.2 -f/4, depending on the available light.

Here are a couple of pics shot through the fence.

Good luck and keep practicing.
Mike

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I'm shooting through both, a galvanized fence and a mesh net. I really liked that first picture. I'm going to try to get one like that. I assume that you used manual focus on that shot.

No manual. focus. I used autofocus on all of them. I rechecked the focus point on the first one and it is at the top of the pitchers left leg, just below the belt. f/4.5 @ 1/500th sec.
Mike

Thank you very much. I'll keep that in mind

MT Stringer wrote in post #5238974
No manual. focus. I used autofocus on all of them. I rechecked the focus point on the first one and it is at the top of the pitchers left leg, just below the belt. f/4.5 @ 1/500th sec.
Mike

For the first pitcher shot, do you remember if you used One-Shot AF or AI Servo?