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....

All in all its been a good time.  Its a balance between being artistic and getting game-coverage photos as well as stock outtakes.  Its always fun to watch and learn from other AP and CP photographers and see how they approach the situation. Lately, i've been leaning towards using my 28-70 and an 80-200 during batting practice. I want to show the scene as a whole rather than some random mugshot.

Other thoughts....

Only found one baseball player who had an issue with me photographing him.  I will not go into details.

Tampa Traffic is just abysmal. Trying to get home after a ballgame is a new level of hell.

Always shoot for the pretty light. Your editor will learn to live with you missing shots.... its baseball.

If there's a diving play in the outfield, the lens will always backfocus on the fence.

The average MLB team is charging around $8 dollars for a media meal.  Best = Nationals, Hands down. Catered by a local Italian Restaurant. Worst - Orioles, where the staff was unable to tell me where or if a meal was being served.

Is groundhogs day.  Its the same thing, every day.  Make it your own. Do your own thing. Make it artsy....

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard stretches while his teammates are reflected in his glasses before the Toronto Blue Jays play the Phillies in a spring training exhibition game at Bright House Field.

 Baseballs sit in a basket before the Toronto Blue Jays play the Philadelphia Phillies in a spring training exhibition game at Bright House Field.

Philadelphia Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz (51) bats against Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Kyle Drabek (4) as the Toronto Blue Jays play the Philadelphia Phillies in a spring training exhibition game at Bright House Field.

A woman sips on coffee before the Philadelphia Phillies play the Toronto Blue Jays in a spring training exhibition game at Florida Auto Exchange Park.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Edwin Encarnacion tosses a ball against the screen before playing Philadelphia Phillies in a spring training exhibition game at Florida Auto Exchange Park.

 Morris Pearce, of Baltimore, Md., takes a photo with the Ray Team before the Baltimore Orioles play the Tampa Bay Rays in a spring training exhibition game at Charlotte Sports Park. 

Baltimore Orioles left fielder Steve Pearce bats in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in a spring training exhibition game at Charlotte Sports Park.

Tampa Bay Rays first baseman James Loney (21) throws before playing the Baltimore Orioles in a spring training exhibition game at Charlotte Sports Park.

Baltimore Orioles assistant hitting coach Einar Diaz (55), left, tosses baseballs into a bag after batting practice before playing the Tampa Bay Rays in a spring training exhibition game at Charlotte Sports Park.

Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Wil Myers takes the field before playing the Baltimore Orioles in a spring training exhibition game at Charlotte Sports Park.

Fans watch batting practice from the concourse before the Baltimore Orioles play the Tampa Bay Rays in a spring training exhibition game at Charlotte Sports Park.

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria during a workout before playing the Baltimore Orioles in a spring training exhibition game at Charlotte Sports Park. 

Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Matt Joyce (20) bats in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles in a spring training exhibition game at Charlotte Sports Park.

A parachutist with the U.S. Special Operations Command soars over the field before the Tampa Bay Rays play the Baltimore Orioles in a spring training exhibition game at Charlotte Sports Park. 

Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista signs an autograph before playing the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium.

Baltimore Orioles second baseman Ryan Flaherty (3) takes his hat off as he walks into the dugout out against the Toronto Blue Jays during a spring training exhibition game at Ed Smith Stadium. 

A fan walks past a mural of spring training before the Baltimore Orioles play the Toronto Blue Jays in an exhibition game at Ed Smith Stadium. 

A fan walks past a mural of spring training before the Baltimore Orioles play the Toronto Blue Jays in an exhibition game at Ed Smith Stadium.

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Steve Johnson (52) signs autographs before facing theToronto Blue Jays in a spring training exhibition game at Ed Smith Stadium.

Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Melky Cabrera (53) as seen through a baseball glove warms up before facing the Baltimore Orioles in a spring training exhibition game at Ed Smith Stadium.  

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Drew Hutchison (36) pitches in the first inning against Baltimore Orioles during a spring training exhibition game at Ed Smith Stadium.

Washington Nationals right fielder Jayson Werth warms up before a game against the Miami Marlins at Space Coast Stadium. Werth was a late scratch due to a biceps injury, said manager Matt Williams (9) after the game. 

New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter (2) walks back to the dugout pre game before the Yankees beat the Washington Nationals 4-2 in a spring training exhibition game at George M. Steinbrenner Field. 

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher R.A. Dickey (43) warms up for the first inning before playing the Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House Field.

Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley (26) waits to take batting practice before playing the Toronto Blue Jays at Bright House Field.

A fan catches a baseball during batting practice before the Philadelphia Phillies play the Toronto Blue Jays  at Bright House Field. 

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins (11) takes fielding practice before playing the Toronto Blue Jays at Bright House Field. 

Atlanta Braves center fielder Jordan Schafer (17) makes an over-the-shoulder catch on the warning track in the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Brighthouse Networks Field. 

The Phillie Phanatic holds a baby between innings at Brighthouse Networks Field.

Washington Nationals center fielder Eury Perez (3) dives to try and make a catch in the sixth inning as the Atlanta Braves beat the Washington Nationals 3-2 at Champion Stadium. 

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann (27) first inning against the Atlanta Braves during a spring training exhibition game at Champion Stadium.

 A saxophone quartet reacts to applause before the Washington Nationals play the Atlanta Braves at Champion Stadium. 

New York Yankees second baseman Kelly Johnson (33) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a two-run home run in the third inning against the Houston Astros in a spring training exhibition game at Osceola County Stadium.

ew York Yankees second baseman Kelly Johnson (33) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a two-run home run in the third inning against the Houston Astros in a spring training exhibition game at Osceola County Stadium.

Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista (19) warms up before playing the Houston Astros in a spring training exhibition game at Osceola County Stadium.

Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Melky Cabrera (53) and shortstop Jose Reyes (7) run onto the field before playing the Houston Astros in a spring training exhibition game at Osceola County Stadium.

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher R.A. Dickey (43) talks with umpire Jeff Nelson (45) after the fifth inning against the Houston Astros in a spring training exhibition game at Osceola County Stadium.

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Jose Reyes (7) jumps to throw to first base in the fifth inning against the Houston Astros in a spring training exhibition game at Osceola County Stadium.