Spring Training: Off Day

The sun sets being the statue outside of Space Coast Stadium.

Hey kids.....

Its an off day. This means being able to sleep in and having a good dinner .... as well as editing more photos, data management, laundry, and all the other things that i may have neglected in the past 27 days such as my car registration....

My update and more photos after the jump....

Dispatches from Clearwater

Ryan Howard walks off the field to head to the dugout.

Its Tuesday. I think.

Part of covering Spring Training for a wire service is that I'm on my own here.  No support, no resources, no reporters bird dogging anything for me.  There are 12 teams in the grapefruit league and I have to follow my instincts....

Spring Training Update (Pt 1!)

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Max Scherzer signs autographs after the Tiger's first workout of Spring Training at Joker Marchant Stadium. 

I've spent the past two weeks crisscrossing the State of Florida covering Spring Training workouts.

I've been as far south as Fort Myers for Red Sox Media Day, Bradenton for the Pirates, TanakaMania and the laid back fun of the Blue Jays in Dunedin.   Spring training isnt about (just) grabbing a photo of player X doing whatever to feed the beast. Its an opportunity to make some artistic photos and step outside of the box.

Its been a lot of frames and a lot of features so far.... and here's some of my favorites. 

Lots more after the jump...

Whats in the Bag? Spring Training Edition

I try to travel light.....

Ive never done one of these "What's in the Bag" blogposts.  I'm not a gearhead and I'm not impressed by people who walk around like a pack mule.

That being said.... I wanted to share with everyone what I'm bringing to Spring Training. (*Photo day lights not included)

Here's my game action kit.

• Nikon D3 (Its a workhorse)
• Nikon D700 w/Battery Grip (The best camera Nikon ever made IMO)
• Nikon D7000 (Remote Body)
• Kodak Vigilant Six-20 (It was my Grandfather's)
• 300/2.8 (Its a very old one but sharp)
• 300/4 (When I dont want to carry the 2.8)
• 70-200/2.8 (Recently repaired by Kiwi Photo in Orlando! Best repairs around)
• 85/1.8 (Remote Lens!)
• 24/2.8 (When I need a wide)
• 1.4x Teleconverter (For when 300 isnt long enough)
• Nikon SB-800 Flash. (There's a lot of dust on it)
• PocketWizard Plus III (x2)
• Pretrigger Cable
• Manfrotto Magic Arm w/ Super Clamp and Ball head.
• Safety Cable! (Very VERY important)
• Not pictured: Wawa Iced Tea, Memory Cards, Film, Batteries, Suntan Lotion, Sun Hat, more Wawa Iced Tea, Monopod, Laptop, Extra Hard Drive, Thinktank Utility Belt, stool to sit on, batting helmet, iPhone and the good Tastykakes.

I try to travel as light as possible. I enjoy my Wawa. There's a film camera in there.... I'm just trying to do something unique.