Where to shoot on a HS baseball field?

William - Nice tips. Where in CA?

AthleticsPhotog wrote in post #5384043
I am wanting to shoot some HS baseball in my free time away from coaching. But my question is simple I believe, where do I shoot from?

Most high school fields are not very nice and the access to shoot seems limited from what I have seen. Where do most of you shoot when shooting HS baseball?

Thanks (also who do you get permission from to shoot it?)

As a high school coach, ask us. Our field is a joke for photography - there's only two openings and all you can get from either is the pitcher depending on what hand he tosses with. If you ask the coach and umpire they may give you permission to shoot from on field as long as you are physically able to get out of the way and probably agree in writing that it's at your own risk (so you may want to bring something that says that and give it to the ump/coach). In spring training with some teams I am in play, others dont allow it and trying to shoot through fences or gates or sneak on the bench to shoot (with permission "sneak" - not literally). The Indians I feel like I'm standing on first and my big behind is about to steal like the glory days...but the big thing for a school is liability I think - at least thats what my AD's yell at me about, so have something that says no and just let them know who you shoot for (MP?). William has it pretty spot on as well.

bobbyz wrote in post #5438253
William - Nice tips. Where in CA?

Glad to share my tips with people, ask away and I'll try to help.
I'm in Los Angeles county

--MrV

It's not unusual to be required to mark off an area for photographers. The location of this area is usually up to the home team's coach. At the home team field where I shoot most often, I brought a can of white paint and drew a rectangle approximately 8 feet long by 3 feet deep against the fence and since it's only now getting warm enough for the grass to grow, the field has only been mowed once and the boxes are still visible.

At most fields, they want you just past the bases, but at the home field where I do most of my shooting, the coach wanted me closer than that since the location past the bases would be roughly in line with the shortstop and third baseman's throw, and since the box is "out of play" when it's occupied, he didn't want the throws getting past the first baseman and rolling into the box. So, I ended up between the bases and the dugouts.

I always contact the AD whenever going to an unknown school, but before the game, talk with the home team's coach and then the umpires. The photo box will be discussed during the ground rule chat at home plate before the game.