Newark Bears v. Camden - 7/19/08

Hey all -

Saturday my family went to the Newark Bears game, because my son's team won their division, and they were honored by the Bears allowing the boys on field during the play of the national anthem.

So, of course, I brought along the camera and the 120-300. I was hesitant to even try bringing in the lens, but the coach who organized this outing got me permission from the team to bring it. I'm glad I did, because you are basically only allowed to shoot from your seat. You can't move around too freely. Our seats were between home plate and third, but closer to the home plate side. This meant I could only get lefties at bat - batters who were right-handed had their backs to me. I pretty much love the minor league games much more than MLB, it's smaller, easier to get to, and the prices are so much easier to deal with. And the players are so much more responsive to the kids. It's I think what baseball really was intended to be. The Bears easily won this game.

Here are a couple from this game - thought you would enjoy:

#1 (only decent at bat - further editing will be done to erase mitt)

Pat:
First, I wouldn't erase the mitt...it was there, it's part of the game, so why not leave it? I don't think it detracts and plus, you will get a few others that talk about the "ethics" of doing this As to the position, given your location, I think you did well to get at least a part of the batters face. Normally good batter shots require being much farther down the baselines.

As to the others, I am curious as to how you focus for the pitchers....ie is your focus on the shutter or on the * button. Were you in AI servo? etc. I ask because they seem a bit soft in the faces and I seem to be struggling lately with these types of shots where all else looks good but the faces look soft.

Cheers!

Chris

cstewart wrote in post #5961106
Pat:
First, I wouldn't erase the mitt...it was there, it's part of the game, so why not leave it? I don't think it detracts and plus, you will get a few others that talk about the "ethics" of doing this As to the position, given your location, I think you did well to get at least a part of the batters face. Normally good batter shots require being much farther down the baselines.

As to the others, I am curious as to how you focus for the pitchers....ie is your focus on the shutter or on the * button. Were you in AI servo? etc. I ask because they seem a bit soft in the faces and I seem to be struggling lately with these types of shots where all else looks good but the faces look soft.

Cheers!

Chris

My focus was with the back button. I agree the faces are a bit soft, but where I was forced to sit, I was shooting a bit from the side if you can understand what I mean, and the weird sort of angle I think had something to with me missing a sharper face. I was also back by like 8 rows or so from the front, so the distance I think contributed. Due to these 2 things, I probably misjudged where to aim the focus, although I generally try for mid-to-upper chest. Another thing that probably threw me a bit is that I am used to shooting young boys, who are smaller. These were full-grown men, and first time shooting these kind of subjects. So whatever softness in the face is probably due to inexperience.

Insofar as ethics goes, I don't plan to be publishing these since I'm not at all ready for that kind of stuff. I do agree that if I was shooting for some publication, I would not be able to edit.

Pat

I overheard some pro BB shooter saying the get sharpest shot of baseball either pitching or batting, the best method is MF!!! I have never tried it myself, but those pro images are just breath taking. Any pro here like to verify that?