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....

Catching Up: Little league

Gainesville pitcher Jonathan Gettys pitches in the top of the first inning as the Walton County All-Stars take on the Gainesville All-Stars in a little league game on Friday, July 2, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Earlier this month i went and photographed a game two innings of Little League. Good light, fun compositions. Missed a lot while i was trying funky stuff. Held the camera up over my head to get that shot.

More after the jump.

Baseball Roundup

North Oconee second baseman Clayton Wing is tagged out by Grayson catcher Mike McHugh as Wing tries to score on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fifth inning as North Oconee takes on Grayson on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 in Bogart, Ga.

Some baseball images from the past two weeks, both Georgia and Prep ball.

I love shooting baseball and i want to get out to more Georgia games, however the schedule is not cooperating.

More photos after the jump....

Anatomy of a play at the plate.

A play at the plate is about as good as it gets in baseball.

Last week i watched Georgia outfielder Johnathan Taylor try for an inside-the-park home run after a giant miss-play by Stetson's outfielder.

Here's how it all went down.

Opening Day Baseball

Georgia outfielder Zach Cone (12) sticks out his tongue after reaching second base on an error in the bottom of the first inning as Georgia beats Presbyterian College 11-3 at Foley Field on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Its my third opening day in a row for the Georgia baseball team.

Third year in a row I froze my ass off too.

Baseball Season!

Georgia starting pitchers Justin Grimm, Jeff Walters and Michael Palazzone on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010 in Athens, Ga.

Baseball season is now upon us. Rejoice and hope these three can keep the ball down in the zone.

The shoot after the jump....

Tilt/Shift Baseball

Trevor Holder dodges a line-drive up the middle.

I wanted to post a compilation of some of the better T/S shots i got from earlier this season. I had a lot of fun doing it and learned a lot about photography and what i do for a living in the process.

It looks like I'm done shooting baseball for the year. Six weeks ago, Georgia looked like they were going to stomp their way into a National Seed and back to Omaha. I figured today I'd be at the SEC Tourney in Hoover, Alabama. (Florida would be a much nicer venue, IMO). That seems like a lifetime ago with it being 3 murders, manhunts and 6 car accidents ago.

I accomplished only 2 of my goals for baseball this season. Doing the tilt/shift thing and to get a HR robbing shot from Matt Cerione. Beyond that I never made it to any of the games i wanted to in April and the baseball gods have been particularly cruel to Georgia of late.



Colby May fouls off a pitch. (Which came way too close to my head)



Left fielder Johnathan Taylor. (First day of using that lens)



A pitcher warming up pregame. (Its the "Chris Detrick" shot!)




Will Harvil goofs off with a baseball.



More pregame.



Trevor Holder stretches.



Thats the Athens Academy coach laying out the batters boxes pregame with the help of their catcher.




Chase Davidson catches a fly ball.

Late Inning Rally .... Scratcher?????

I have seen my share of late-inning heroics in my life of watching baseball. There's rally caps, rally towels, rally monkeys and even the ever-popular Matt-Freakin-Stairs-Rally-Moonshot, but never in my life have i come upon this.

Top of the Seventh, Madison County leading by 2 with one out and runners on. I'm set up on the 3rd base side, ready for a play at the plate to end the game and i look over and the kids from Sprayberry do something very unexpected - The rally scratch? I'm still perplexed.

Madison County hung on to win.

Split Twin Bill

Georgia shortstop Levi Hyams makes a diving catch as the Winthrop Eagles beat the #3 Georgia Bulldogs 7-4 in the first game of a double-header on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 in Athens, Ga.


Georgia played a twin bill against Big South opponent Winthrop and i stayed for most of it.

I tried a remote camera behind the plate. Partial FAIL; too much metal around the pocket wizard for it be picked up correctly from more than 5 feet away.

Kinda a blah game in the first. I missed more action that I'm used to and what i did pick up, i was late on. Around the 6th when Georgia finally showed up, so did I. I don't like missing things and I missed something on a routine bunt that turned into something else. And the others, i was late on.



Georgia second baseman Michael Demperio hits in as #3 Georgia falls to Winthrop 7-4 in the first game of a double-header on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 in Athens, Ga.






Georgia left fielder Lyle Allen has the ball hit off his glove in foul territory during as #3 Georgia falls to Winthrop 7-4 in the first game of a double-header on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 in Athens, Ga.



Georgia pitcher Jason Leaver watches the his throw go wide of first base in the top of the third inning as the #3 Georgia Bulldogs fall to the Winthrop Eagles 7-4 in the first game of a double-header on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 in Athens, Ga. Leaver gave up three unearned runs after the error.

Baseball vs LSU

Georgia pitcher Will Harvil flips a baseball during warmups as the #5 LSU Tigers beat the #1 Georgia Bulldogs 7-5 at Foley Field in on Sunday April 5, 2009 in Athens, Ga. (Image shot with a special-effect lens)

Just some more weekly baseball highlights. Sunday was #5 LSU and #1 Georgia and they didn't disappoint. Good game. Great action. Bad umpires. (I've watched baseball my entire life and I've never seen the strike zone bottom out that low before) I think these two teams will face each other again in the NCAA playoffs.

Matt Cerione never disappoints. Some players just attract the camera. He's fiery and plays the game with a sense of passion and reckless abandon.



Georgia center-fielder Matt Cerione leaps to rob LSU left fielder Jared Mitchell of a home run to end the top of the eigth inning as the #5 LSU Tigers beat the #1 Georgia Bulldogs 7-5 at Foley Field in on Sunday April 5, 2009 in Athens, Ga. Cerione finshed 2-for-3 with a three-run home run.



Georgia third baseman Colby May shoves LSU catcher Micah Gibbs as Gibbs tags May out at the plate in the bottom of the fifth inning as the #5 LSU Tigers beat the #1 Georgia Bulldogs 7-5 at Foley Field in on Sunday April 5, 2009 in Athens, Ga.

(I was caught switching cameras and screwed up this picture. I wish it was lower and showed more of the catcher)


I've seen managers in baseball argue. I've seen them go out and fire up their team and go out and fight for a player before. I've seen Tommy Lasorda and Earl Weaver go ridiculously insane (Thank you 'This week in Baseball' circa 1982) but I've never seen a manager have a justified meltdown at an umpire until David Perno. He was legitimately P.O.'d at the home plate umpire, came out and made his points and was headed back to the dugout when the third-base umpire tossed Perno. He didn't quite reach the level of a Billy Martin or Crash Davis type spectacle but I've still never seen anyone jaw at an umpire like that before in person.



Coach David Perno yells at third base umpire Fred Cannon after Perno was ejected in the bottom of the ninth inning after a shortstop Levi Hyams struck out on a called third strike as the #5 LSU Tigers beat the #1 Georgia Bulldogs 7-5 at Foley Field in on Sunday April 5, 2009 in Athens, Ga.


Missed one major thing because i had gone out to the outfield to get a name of a fan making a catch earlier and missed a dropped fly ball that lead to the game winning HR.



UGA Alumni Blake Keith reaches up to try and catch Georgia catcher Bryce Massanari's home run in the bottom of the first inning while LSU right fielder Mikie Mahtook walks away as the #5 LSU Tigers beat the #1 Georgia Bulldogs 7-5 at Foley Field in on Sunday April 5, 2009 in Athens, Ga.



LSU pitcher Matty Ott warms up for the ninth inning as the #5 LSU Tigers beat the #1 Georgia Bulldogs 7-5 at Foley Field in on Sunday April 5, 2009 in Athens, Ga. Ott struck out the side in the ninth inning despite allowing the tying run to reach first.

Wright State 8, Georgia 5

Georgia shortstop Levi Hyams fouls off a pitch as Wright State beat #1 Georgia 8-5 at Foley Field on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 in Athens, Ga. (Photographed with a special-effect lens)

Georgia jumped out to a 2-0 lead and then gave up SEVEN (?!?!) to Wright State in the top of the fourth on a walk, an error, and several misplayed bunts.

I continued my tilt-shift kick. I like the look; i think its very reminiscent of photos from the 1950s. Its really a different perspective on how you view the action and the sport.

Shot from the outfield mainly to get Rich Poythress who rewarded my nice, hard effort by blasting a two-run HR. Again I left too soon and missed Bryce Massanari hitting one out. (Second game in a row)



Georgia first baseman Rich Poythress hits a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning as Wright State beat #1 Georgia 8-5 at Foley Field on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 in Athens, Ga.




Wright State outfielder Tony Scott (17) congratulates shortstop R.J. Gundolff (9) after he scored in the top of the fourth inning as Wright State beat #1 Georgia 8-5 at Foley Field on Tuesday, March 24, 2009 in Athens, Ga.

Georgia 4, Mississippi State 1

Georgia pitcher Trevor Holder narrowly misses a line drive in the top of the third inning as the #4 Georgia Bulldogs beat the Mississippi State Bulldogs 5-3 at Foley Field on Friday March 20, 2009 in Athens, Ga. (Shot with a special effect lens)

Last Friday's baseball game. Georgia 4, Mississippi State 1.


Strong outing from Trevor Holder. Center fielder Matt Cerione had a HR and 3 RBIs. Dean Weaver came in for the save. Bryce Massanari threw out two one at the plate. (Other guy looked out to me)

Good outing and good sweep from the #1 team in the land.

(Yes i am on a black-and-white kick and yes, i am on a tilt/shift kick. I have to return it in a week or so)

The way i shoot baseball, or a night game, goes like this:

- Shoot the pitcher warming up before the first.

- First base side for the top of the first.

- Bottom 1 and maybe 2, outfield looking in on the plate. I want that tight shot on the plate and based on where we are in the lineup i will stay out there for an extra inning as light permits.

- 4-5th innings, in the stands behind the plate, moving as i need to depending on game situations, where we are in the lineup, etc. I know who Georgia's base stealers are, i know who has what tenancies. Luck helps, as i was playing with a tilt shift when Cerione hit the HR and i changed to an 80-200 by the time he crossed the plate for the jube. Want good jube photos? Focus on him.

8:30 - Transmit 3 photos, fast. I only copy off locked photos, and i tag them as i go. Our way of sending is ridiculously slow. Missed a diving catch by Cerione because of this.

6th - 8th Roam between field level and stands looking for cool shots depending on the situation.

9th - Shoot the closer, either from stands or field level and shoot the jube/deject.



Catcher Joey Lewis, center, warms up before the #4 Georgia Bulldogs take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Foley Field on Friday March 20, 2009 in Athens, Ga. (Shot with a special effect lens)



Catcher Joey Lewis, center, warms up before the #4 Georgia Bulldogs take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Foley Field on Friday March 20, 2009 in Athens, Ga. (Shot with a special effect lens)

(I did not mean to shoot Lewis twice like this, just kinda happened)



Georgia center fielder Matt Cerione celebrates after hitting a two-run home run in the bottom of the third inning as the #4 Georgia Bulldogs lead the Mississippi State Bulldogs 4-1 in the top of the fifth inning at Foley Field on Friday March 20, 2009 in Athens, Ga.



Mississippi State shortstop Ryan Powers tries to turn a double-play while Georgia shortstop Levi Hyams slides as the #4 Georgia Bulldogs beat the Mississippi State Bulldogs 5-3 at Foley Field on Friday March 20, 2009 in Athens, Ga.

Johnathan Taylor, Left Fielder.

Georgia Bulldogs left fielder Johnathan Taylor at Foley Field on Thursday, March 19, 2009 in Athens, Ga.


My first attempt at a tilt/shift portrait. It gives me that old time, classic baseball feel.

Georgia Baseball

Matt Cerione makes a catch in the top of the first.

Thank god its baseball season. It was time to see what the d700 could do at night.


Apparently it could so a lot better than Quinnepac did, whom got pasted 7-0 in a two-hitter by Georgia.




Trevor Holder sticks out his tongue after a close pitch misses in the top of the second inning. Holder pitched a no-hitter over seven innings while walking three.




Freshman Colby May tears into a pitch to hit a home-run. I got the ball - landed right in front of me - only to have a four year old run over looking for it. I'm not that heartless, i gave the ball to the kid.

Escher Layers

Retired Atlanta Braves pitcher Brad Clontz at a Habitat for Humanity homebuild in Bogart, Ga., on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009.


The Philly boy in me wants to make a Robert Esche joke (former Flyers goaltender) or a WFC joke about the Braves.

Instead.....

This is Brad Clontz. He recorded the first win at Turner Field. (Thats a trivia answer for you) He's also quite the handyman when it comes to working on a Habitat for Humanity home.

It really was the shadows that drew me in to the scene here; reminds me of somethign M.C. Escher would come up with. Shot it as i was walking away.

A World Series ring is amazing to see first hand, even if it doesn't have the name of the team you'd like to see on it.

Finally... BASEBALL.....

Georgia Bulldogs freshmen (standing, l-r) second baseman Levi Hyams, Center Fielder Zach Cone, right fielder Chase Davidson, third baseman Colby May and left fielder Johnathan Taylor (seated) on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009 in Athens, Ga.



Georgia Bulldogs catcher Bryce Massanari, left, first baseman Rich Poythress, right, and pitcher Trevor Holder, seated, on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009 in Athens, Ga.


It wasn't what i had in mind originally, then again shooting group shots of people really isn't my forte'. Doing a cool, shadowy portrait is. Its been a long time since Omaha and its good to get around these guys again.

Now Batting.....

.... Your starting third base side photographer.....


Being a baseball player always was a dream of mine. However, making this in the studio really rocked.

CWS Wrapup: No Joy in Mudville

Pitchers Dean Weaver, center, Nathan Moreau, left and Jason Leaver, right, look on in the top of the eigth inning as Fresno State beats Georgia 6-1 to win the College World Series national championship at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska on Tuesday, June 24, 2008.


If you fall in love with baseball, the game will break your heart every time.
Its the nature of the game. To be good or great, you succeed 3 or 4 times at bat out of 10. The other 6 or 7 times you strike out, ground out or fly out. Sometimes the ball takes a funny hop and you get a hit, other times you line it sharply at the third baseman. There's always a winner, there's always a loser. Rarely will the team you cover be the one who wins it all.

(And other times a center fielder will lose a bat have it fly right at you, forcing you to duck and hide behind $13,000 dollars of camera equipment and pray to god it doesn't hit you, because you're 900 miles from home and that's gonna hurt.)



Fresno State's Steve Susdorf jumps onto the dogpile as Fresno State beats Georgia 6-1 to win the College World Series national championship at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska on Tuesday, June 24, 2008.

Georgia did an admirable job this season. It was a dream come true to follow a team all season all the way to the College World Series. And i thank them for such a fun ride - i just wish it had a better ending for them.



Georgia first baseman Rich Poythress sits dejected in the dugout as Fresno State beats Georgia 6-1 to win the College World Series national championship at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska on Tuesday, June 24, 2008.

Why does this game break your heart? Because you'll be down to your last at bat, be down by 5 runs. Get the first two runners on and there's this glimmer of hope that one last rally is going to happen, that its not over yet. (That the ESPN camera guys wont storm the field quite yet and get in everyone's shots.) The batter keeps fouling off pitches and then a sharp grounder ends up 4-6-3 for a double-play and then everyone knows the season is over. There's one out left and there's no way you can score 5 to tie.



Fresno State right fielder Steve Detwiler celebrates his home run in the top of the sixth inning as Fresno State beats Georgia 6-1 to win the College World Series national championship at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska on Tuesday, June 24, 2008.

Being a Phillies fan for all my life, this game will always break your heart in the cruelest way possible. Doesn't make it any easier to watch.



Georgia players Stephen Dodson, Bryce Massanari, Nick Monthgomery, Trevor Holder, WIll Harvil and Lyle Allen watch as David Thoms (not pictured) hits into a double-play in the bottom of the ninth inning as Fresno State beats Georgia 6-1 to win the College World Series national championship at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska on Tuesday, June 24, 2008.

Day 14: Cinderella can hit a curve ball

Shortstop Gordon Beckham throws his helmet as Fresno State beats #8 Georgia 19-10 in the second game of the College World Series championships at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska on Tuesday, June 24, 2008.

Georgia jumped out to an early 5-0 lead but much like the NC state game in the super regional and the opening game against Lipscomb in regional play, Georgia's pitching mysteriously disappeared and gave up a few touchdowns to lose 19-10. This means that instead of going home today, i have to wait another day.



Fresno State's Steve Detwiler, center, Jordan Ribera, left, and Gavin Hedstrom celebrate an rbi-hit by shortstop Danny Muno as Fresno State beats #8 Georgia 19-10 in the second game of the College World Series championships at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska on Tuesday, June 24, 2008.

No disrespect to Fresno St and their story, but i want to go home.



Designated hitter Joey Lewis walks back to the dugout after striking out as Fresno State beats #8 Georgia 19-10 in the second game of the College World Series championships at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska on Tuesday, June 24, 2008.

Best bright spot was hearing "Shipping up to Boston" in the rain before the game. Otherwise my pictures, ech. I missed the shot of the game in center field but otherwise had what AP/Omaha had or beat them.

Best action shot i had all night: