And Then, There Were Three…

On September 20, 2012January 23, 2016 By In Write FieldIn Baseball, Sports PhotographyLeave a comment

Pablo's three-run homer — Pablo’s three-run homer

Regular season baseball is winding down. If your team is out of contention, like the Cleveland Indians are, attendance is tapering off. My parents were at Progressive Field today, and the place was at least 2/3 empty. That makes me sad because Cleveland is such a great sports-loving town. Maybe next year will finally be the Tribe’s year.

Meanwhile on the west coast, the San Francisco Giants are three wins away from capturing the NL West. That is, three strikes and the Dodgers are OOUUUUT!

The magic number is particularly important to me. I have tickets to both Saturday’s and Sunday’s games against the San Diego Padres, and I want to be at AT&T Park to see the Giants clinch the division. The math has gotten ridiculously simple — the odds of at least attending a game where clinching is a possibility are clearly in my favor.

Pray for me?

I went to the game on Wednesday night. Matt Cain may not have been perfect, but he was awesome. In fact, thanks to my unwavering confidence in Matty and the Giants’ six-run lead, I headed home after the 7th inning stretch (my first early departure of 2012) to thaw out my extremities. It was the coldest game I’ve been to all season.

Cowboy Up!

On September 17, 2012January 23, 2016 By In Write FieldIn Random Stuff, Sports PhotographyLeave a comment

I spent last weekend in one of my favorite Northern California getaways, Mendocino. Approximately four hours north of San Francisco, this coastal town is heaven for anyone who really wants to escape the Bay Area rat race. Its buildings and sidewalks harken back to the gold rush era, although it’s really an old logging town. Mendocino was founded in 1850, and has a population of just over 800.

There are many inns in Mendocino. My new B&B-of-choice is the Joshua Grindle Inn. The rooms are spotless, the breakfasts are delicious and healthy, and the owners are low-key hospitable. You can also get an amazing massage on site from Glenna Hunter, better known as Ms. Magic Hands. (I think I am the only one who calls her that, but the name fits.)

My two-cents: Avoid staying at higher-profile spots like McCallum House or the Mendocino Hotel. They are OK – very pretty old buildings — but a little too self-congratulatory and a LOT too expensive. The Mendocino Hotel in particular has only so-so food, and spotty service in the lobby bar.

The smaller inns flat-out try harder — particularly with today’s economy.

Wireless reception in the Mendocino area is mercifully sporadic, and chances are you won’t have a TV in your room. Each night I followed the Giants on my alarm clock radio, and then grabbed dinner at one of the great restaurants in the town.

Unfortunately, it was the foggiest weekend I’ve experienced in Mendocino, so I don’t think my photos do it justice. Still….

I didn’t go to Mendocino JUST for relaxation. My mini vacation was timed to coincide with the 85^thAnnual Mendocino County Fair & Apple Show. While there, I ate a hot dog on a stick and drank apple cider, and admired adorable kids in cowboy boots. I petted many sheep and goats, and a couple of cows. I also experienced my first rodeo. The California Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association (or, CCPRA) Finals, to be precise.

As I took photos, my fellow spectators naturally assumed I was a rodeo buff. This made me enormously proud, although I eventually had to confess that I had no idea how any of it worked.

The cowboys were handsome and rugged, but the truth was… I was always quietly pulling for the calves. After dodging the lasso, they would dart around the arena until someone managed to drag them back to the pen. Those calves always looked a little smug, frankly.

My photos are pretty amazing — not because of my photographic talents but because rodeo is an intense and violent sport. Pay special attention to the horses. I think it’s safe to say, they don’t want to be broken.

… and ouch

A Win-Win Weekend For The San Francisco Giants

On September 9, 2012January 23, 2016 By In Write FieldIn Baseball, Sports PhotographyLeave a comment

Buster Posey

It was a great weekend for San Francisco Giants baseball. We didn’t sweep the L.A. Dodgers, but we took the series putting us 5 1/2 games out in front in the National League West. Toward the end of Sunday’s shut-out, one of ESPN’s announcers speculated that the Dodgers now probably have a better shot at capturing a wild card spot than of winning the NL West. Music to my ears.

I caught the first game of the series, going back on my solemn promise never to attend another Friday night Giants/Dodgers match-up, after several near-death experiences in past seasons. I even sat near the visitor’s dugout, and while the inmates were restless… I survived without ever throwing a punch.

Four hecklers behind me were tossed pretty early on. They were annoying, because two were Giants fans and two were Dodgers fans. So it was nonstop screaming no matter which team was at bat. These guys were particularly fond of the F-bomb — but apparently the police officers positioned nearby were not.

As I was leaving AT&T Park after the Giants’ 5-2 victory, the gentleman next to me summed it up nicely. “WOW, what a game! I have a feeling every game will be a dog fight like this one from here on out.”

I say, bring it!

I ended the night with more than 1,500 shots. Here are some of the best, if I do say so myself. Next up for me and my Canon… September 17 vs. the Colorado Rockies.

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1,281 Reasons My Arm Hurts

On September 4, 2012January 23, 2016 By In Write FieldIn Baseball, Sports PhotographyLeave a comment

Buster Posey called Monday’s extra-innings victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks possibly the best San Francisco Giants win of the season. Fitting that it happened on Labor Day because it was, at times, pretty laborious. The sixth inning in particular, when Barry Zito blew a four-run lead, felt like breaking rocks.

Of course, the Giants’ comeback starting in the eight inning — and punctuated by a Posey-Scutaro one-two punch in the 10th — was made sweeter because so many fans bailed in the seventh to beat the traffic, L.A. Dodger-fan style.

Not me. As my southern Baptist relatives would say… Oh, ye of little faith.

Knowing that the Dodgers had probably watched the Giants struggle, and smirked and puffed up as they imagined themselves closing in on first place in the NL West… well, that was pretty enjoyable too.

I took a record-high 1,281 photos at the game. I could blame a digital camera that shoots eight frames-per-second. But instead, I blame Zito and the Giants’ shaky band of middle relievers. After Barry got the hook, it took six of them — Mota, Kontos, Loux, Penny, Machi (who did great, going 1-2-3 in his first inning in the big leagues) and Romo — to finish off the Diamondbacks.

Of course, as is my custom, I had to photograph them all. My forearm ached from holding my camera, and pushing down on the shutter-release button for hours.

Whatever. I rubbed some dirt on it. It was totally worth it.

Sergio Romo

Brandon Crawford and Pablo Sandoval

Shane Loux

George Kontos

Brad Penny

Pablo Sandoval

Cutest Lincecum fan EVER

Hunter Pence

George Kontos

The A’s Hit; The Tribe Misses

On August 19, 2012January 23, 2016 By In Write FieldIn Baseball, Sports PhotographyLeave a comment

The Oakland Athletics made a clean sweep of the Cleveland Indians this weekend. Today’s 7-0 rout, in which the Tribe stranded seven runners on base, was woefully representative of how the team has been playing since the All-Star break. They lack consistent offense, and have shaky pitching; Today Justin Masterson threw 5.2 innings, and allowed nine hits for seven earned runs including two homers.

Even Jemile Weeks’ fumbling of pretty much every ball landing in his vicinity couldn’t save us.

So tonight I dwell on the positives:

I finally got to witness one of my favorite Indians players, Chris Perez, in action. Because my presence at Tribe games tends to accompany losses, the team rarely needs the closer’s services when I’m in the house. But thanks to their long winless streak, today Perez needed a workout. And he was great, throwing 9 of 14 pitches for strikes and allowing no hits.

The weather was superb – in the low 70’s, with a light breeze. These were perfect conditions for wearing my trusty Indians jersey, with its Chief Wahoo logo, and my Indians cap.

A’s fans in my section were very welcoming, despite my swag. In fact, on my way out several of them high-fived me and urged me to “hang in there”. They had suffered through many losing seasons, they reassured me. The Indians’ would turn things around…. someday.

Oh my God, had it come to this? I was being PITIED by A’s fans? I cried all the way across the Bay Bridge. (Ok, not really. But it still smarted.)

In truth, there was a very fun vibe at Oakland Coliseum today. A’s fans are PUMPED UP by the team’s success, after so many losing seasons. It’s a blast to see baseball making so many people happy even if my hometown team had to lose to keep the momentum going.

Alas, my seat wasn’t on the Diamond Level – a blessing, given the price of those seats and the outcome of today’s game. There is no waiter service on the first base line, and the food there is not free. But it’s still a good spot for photos.

Justin Masterson

Shin Soo Choo

Brantley hustles back to first base

The Melky Way

On August 15, 2012January 23, 2016 By In Write FieldIn Baseball, Sports PhotographyLeave a comment

He led the offense with his hitting
Yet all the while he was committing
A violation, now he’s sitting
A 50-game suspension.

Melkmen and Melkmaids they embraced him
Opposing pitchers feared to face him
Now his juicing has disgraced him
A stupid indiscretion.

Today a baseball gloom descended
We Giants fans have been upended
We wonder, has the season ended?
The million-dollar question.

Sunday’s Rocky Road

On August 13, 2012September 11, 2013 By In Write FieldIn Baseball, Sports PhotographyLeave a comment

Sunday’s San Francisco Giants game against the Colorado Rockies was a bit of a nail biter. On one of the most beautiful Bay Area Sundays we’ve had in some time, fans enjoyed a somewhat explosive first inning… followed by six innings of sleepy offense.

Barry Zito was… Barry. He blew a 3-0 lead in the first inning, and with the help of George Kontos and Clay Hensley the Giants were losing 6-4 by the start of the eighth.

Don’t get me wrong, I am thrilled with Zito’s improvement this season. I could be a twitter hater — wringing my hands and gnashing my teeth about the size of his contract. But you know what? It’s a sunk cost. Why not just be satisfied when Barry gets a win, even if it’s largely thanks to Hunter Pence? Even better, let’s celebrate when he actually does well. Why the hell not? It’s better than the alternative!

That said, I love this revisionist quote from Barry after his shaky game. It was like the kid who takes a face plant off his bike, and tells everyone who rushes to his aid, “Oh don’t worry, I MEANT to do that.”

“We needed something like that. We’ve had a lot of wins by sizable margins and lost some tough ones in-between there. Having come-from-behind wins is important going down the stretch.”

So you think we needed that, Barry? Did we really? My cardiologist says no.

After all that torture, the Giants won 9-6 thanks to a three-run homer by newly acquired Hunter Pence. So far, I like that trade.

I was again in Larry Baer territory with my trusty Canon. A few of the keepers:

I love this photo because it looks like these two guys are holding hands. Like maybe Giants’ veteran Zito is looking out for relatively-new-to-San-Francisco Theriot. Taking him under his wing. “Listen little buddy, nobody here calls it ‘Frisco’. I’m just saying.”

Buster Posey takes one for the team. Buster was BLEEDING!

Angel is all smiles after stealing third.

Lou Seal makes his move. He appreciates maturity, and I can respect that.

The San Francisco Giants Mean No Offense…

On July 30, 2012January 23, 2016 By In Write FieldIn Baseball, Sports PhotographyLeave a comment

I’ve gone to a LOT of San Francisco Giants games at AT&T Park, often sitting in a seat near the dugout so that I could take hundreds of photos of whoever was on the mound. It’s fun with a fast shutter speed, because when you race through the photos later it’s like looking at a cartoon flip book.

There are only so many pitches you can photograph at 8 frames per second before they start to look redundant, though. Eventually it’s helpful when OTHER THINGS happen in the game that I can take photos of, like the scary collision between Tim Lincecum and Collin Cowgill at home plate in May.

Unfortunately, aside from Ryan Vogelsong’s solid outing, there was precious little to photograph during Sunday’s 4-0 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. I don’t think a Giant ever even made it over to third base, where I could snap him in a confab with third base coach Tim Flannery. A few made it to second, but my lens is a 28-300 which means photos from that distance are kind of ho-hum.

I was close enough, however, to see Buster Posey get stranded on base (again) early in the game. I can’t be sure, but I think he may have rolled his eyes before jogging back to the dugout after the third out. Seemed a little un-Posey like… but I know what I saw.

Listen up guys; I have tickets to four more Giants games this season. I’m not buying any more until I start to see some offense. I have already spent so much time photographing Giants’ pitchers, I could land a gig as a bullpen coach in the minors.

In the meantime, I’ll have to be satisfied with these shots of Vogey pitching to bad-bunter Clayton Kershaw (who does some kind of sun salutation stretch before every pitch) and of various Giants returning to the dugout scoreless, with their heads hanging low. Pretty much sums up the game, really.

Get the Picture?

On July 26, 2012January 23, 2016 By In Write FieldIn Baseball, Sports Photography1 Comment

I played hooky on Wednesday afternoon. Can you call it hooky if you tell your boss in advance that you’ll be out of the office, and you use 1/2 of a vacation day to do it?

Well, even though I did it all by-the-book, it still felt decadent. I had a blast. I was ITCHING to take in a San Francisco Giants game and shoot some photos — especially of Tim Lincecum since he seemed back on track after the All-Star break.

Yes, I have a soft spot for the guy. He’s so much fun to photograph. Nobody has a pitching motion like his — certainly not cute, chubby-chubster bullpen guy Brad Penny, who I had never photographed before. Ditto for reliever George Kontos, who is not chubby. He’s just relatively new to the team… so we were not yet acquainted with one another.

While the game was rather lackluster, and Timmy struggled despite his eight strikeouts, the weather was stunning and my seat was very good for photo taking. It was my first time in section 125, thanks to StubHub.

It wasn’t Larry Baer territory, where I’ve taken so many photos I’m proud of. At times I wanted to thump the third base coach on the back of his big head for obstructing my view of the mound, but I restrained myself. (That would be the PADRES third-base coach — not sweet Tim Flannery, who can stand wherever he likes as far as I am concerned.)

I’ll be back at AT&T Park on Sunday, when the Giants take on the Dodgers. Ryan Vogelsong is pitching, and I’m hoping to get some great shots of him too. I’ll be sitting near the visitors’ dugout — another brand-new vantage point for me.

Where is your favorite place to take photos at the ballpark?

This Is a Team Timmy Zone. Proceed With Caution.

On July 9, 2012January 23, 2016 By In Write FieldIn Baseball, Sports PhotographyLeave a comment

I just spent a grand total of 15 minutes – time I will never get back – watching the 2012 Home Run Derby. Why do I do this to myself every baseball season? The Home Run Derby has to be one of the most boring spectacles on earth. It might be more fun to watch hitters knock baseballs out of the park, if they weren’t practically tossed underhand with momentum that even Barry Zito would scoff at. Ooh! Ah!

What’s more, when I switched on my TV, Andrew McCutchen — Lincecum slayer — was batting. This was not a positive development. I guess you could say I’m a little bitter about the San Francisco Giants’ 13-2 loss to the Pittsburg Pirates on Sunday.

Tim Lincecum’s post-game interview was heartbreaking. I obviously have a soft spot for the guy — and listening to him whisper his pain and frustration, while his chin practically trembled, tore me up. He wondered if he’d reached “rock bottom”, and talked about being the Giants’ weak link, disappointing his teammates, and having “nothing left to lose”. The reporters quizzing him seemed almost as miserable as he was.

I’ve always found Timmy’s eloquence, and his openness with the media, endearing. During his 2010 slump, he thoughtfully answered reporters’ questions after every game when everyone knew he’d rather be just about anywhere else. Compared to the disingenuous Bull Durham-style platitudes and grudging one-word answers from other ballplayers, it was refreshing.

Timmy is beloved in San Francisco so reaction to his implosion was subdued at first – after all, he’s struggled before, and always bounced back. But this week I’ve begun hearing, “If he’s not hurt, then he must be washed up. He’s finished.”

It’s true, his 6.42 ERA is the worst of any starting pitcher in the league, but I haven’t given up on Tim Lincecum. I have nothing to back this up but my pure, blind faith. He had his stuff against the A’s and the Dodgers, and his delicate confidence seemed on the rebound. Then came the heat and humidity of D.C., where he lasted fewer than four innings and probably lost 10 pounds in perspiration. Timmy won’t make excuses for himself, so I will – he is not a hot weather pitcher, which is one of the reasons he’s thrived here in foggy San Francisco. I can’t help but wonder if things would have been different, had July 3rd’s game been played at AT&T Park.

Anyway, I refuse to believe Tim Lincecum is washed up. I’m with Ann Killion, who wrote today about Timmy’s need to not over think things during the All-Star break. Let’s hope he takes this chance to regroup, remind himself how he got where he is… and hopefully get his swagger back.

Come Saturday, when he’s scheduled to pitch against the Astros, I’ll be watching on tenterhooks. When it comes to Tim Lincecum, I’m not just on the bandwagon… I’m driving it.

So, anyone out there want to ride shotgun?

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