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The Great American Pastime

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Uncle Frank, Jun 27, 2005.

  1. Uncle Frank

    Uncle Frank

    1,011
    Jan 26, 2005
    San Jose, CA
    The Great American Pastime (minor league style)

    I'm burned out on big league sports... overpaid primadonnas, labor lockouts, drug scandals, outrageous ticket prices, etc.
    But I still love sports, so decided to sample the minor league experience last week... the San Jose Giants, which is a single A
    baseball club. Minor league stadiums are nice, intimate venues for photography, but I was worried I might be turned away
    at the gate if I showed up with my camera gear. I called the stadium office to find out the rules, but the kid I talked to didn't
    know for sure. He just " thought" it would be OK, which didn't do much to ease my concerns :-/. But I showed up with my backpack
    and a monopod, and breezed right though the gate.

    Here's a look at the infield seating at San Jose Municipal Stadium. It was built in 1942, as a WPA project, and holds just over 4,000 fans.
    45359481.

    When I was approaching my seat, I saw security guards were positioned in each aisle, but they weren't your normal beefy bouncers.
    I decided to put my freedom-to-photograph to the test, and take my first pictures of... the security gurards! One of them gave me a
    mean look when she saw the 80-200 line up on her...
    original.

    but by the 2nd inning, the guards were posing for me :).
    45289895.

    The kids that attended the game were as thrilled by their access to the players as the players were about being asked for their autographs.
    45359480.
    45359479.

    The baseball was competitive, hard played, and exciting, and to my uncritical eye, near to major league levels.
    45289891.
    45289890.

    But for me, the most memorable sights were of the young fans enjoying a fine day at the park.
    45289896.

    It was a super day for baseball, and the home team won! I've already purchased another set of tickets for this Friday :).
     
    Uncle Frank, Jun 27, 2005
    #1
  2. Flew

    Flew

    994
    Jan 25, 2005
    Alabama
    Excellent documentation of a piece of Americana Frank. Very enjoyable read and excellent pictures. We definitely need more security guards like these too. 8)
     
    Flew, Jun 27, 2005
    #2
  3. Uncle Frank

    Uncle Frank

    1,011
    Jan 26, 2005
    San Jose, CA
    Thanks, Frank! Pbase is pretty quirky today, and I was hoping you'd be able to see the pics.
     
    Uncle Frank, Jun 27, 2005
    #3
  4. Leigh

    Leigh

    8,677
    Feb 19, 2005
    Alabama
    Those are great! Think I might just take the boys to a Huntsville Stars game sometime in the near future! It's a farm team and it's turned out a few major leaguers. I love your last shot...the best of of the bunch!
     
    Leigh, Jun 27, 2005
    #4
  5. PhilY

    PhilY

    386
    Jan 31, 2005
    B&H Web Site, Lens Section
    That's California for ya. The security guards at my stadium all dress out around 250 with a good part of that hanging over their belt. :lol:

    Nice series, Frank. My 70-200 spends a good portion of the time at football games pointed at the crowd. You can catch most every human emotion and grab some great "people" shots. It's just fun to do.

    Phil
     
    PhilY, Jun 27, 2005
    #5
  6. greyflash

    greyflash Subscribing Member

    30,843
    Jan 29, 2005
    St. George, Utah
    Hi Frank, if I had known that they had security guards like that I would have changed my pastime. Nice to be able to practice your hobby while they practice their avocation. Fun images with nice home town feel to them.
     
    greyflash, Jun 27, 2005
    #6
  7. Uncle Frank

    Uncle Frank

    1,011
    Jan 26, 2005
    San Jose, CA
    Thanks, Leigh! I think you favor the last shot because you need a little girl to round out your tribe ;).
     
    Uncle Frank, Jun 27, 2005
    #7
  8. dmwphoto

    dmwphoto

    22,474
    Mar 18, 2005
    Richmond, Va
    Great fun here Frank. Thanks for sharing that. Make me want get out to the ballpark. we have AAA richmond Braves here, always fun. I REALLY need to pay closer attention to the security staff tho
     
    dmwphoto, Jun 27, 2005
    #8
  9. Man-Fai Wong

    Man-Fai Wong

    195
    Mar 21, 2005
    New York City
    Hmmm... Guess I should be looking out for "security guards" too when I attend some Brooklyn Cyclones games at Coney Island this summer. :D Maybe our kids will enjoy it more this time around since my son played pee-wee baseball and can appreciate the game now (though sitting-and-watching won't be the same as playing).

    Don't think we'll have such nice seating though to get shots from behind home plate.

    Thanks for sharing...

    _Man_
     
    Man-Fai Wong, Jun 27, 2005
    #9
  10. Uncle Frank

    Uncle Frank

    1,011
    Jan 26, 2005
    San Jose, CA
    Sitting behind home plate was a mixed blessing. I had to shoot through a mesh screen that's behind the backstop. Since I was using the long end of the 80-200, it was mostly blurred out, but I had to photo-shop out what appeared to be a dark network of "shadows".
     
    Uncle Frank, Jun 27, 2005
    #10
  11. drueter

    drueter

    963
    Apr 24, 2005
    Southeast Texas
    Nice series, Frank! They really show the personal, intimate feel of a small ballpark.
     
    drueter, Jun 27, 2005
    #11
  12. PGB

    PGB

    7,986
    Jan 25, 2005
    Excellent captures. Leigh and I were just thinking the same thing UF, about a little girl. Then we decided to go to a baseball game. :)

    Cheers,
     
    PGB, Jun 27, 2005
    #12
  13. Uncle Frank

    Uncle Frank

    1,011
    Jan 26, 2005
    San Jose, CA
    The two thoughts aren't mutually exclusive... unless you're shy :wink:.
     
    Uncle Frank, Jun 27, 2005
    #13
  14. Rich Gibson

    Rich Gibson

    1,027
    Feb 7, 2005
    Annandale, VA
    Um..Patrick,

    That's not where little girls come from. :wink:

    Rich
     
    Rich Gibson, Jun 28, 2005
    #14
  15. TOLady

    TOLady

    14,461
    Mar 31, 2005
    Toronto Canada
    Great shots, Frank, of a fun day. Looks like the kids had a ball! (oooo, bad pun)
     
    TOLady, Jun 28, 2005
    #15
  16. mike mac

    mike mac

    12,409
    Jan 25, 2005
    East Norriton, PA
    Nice shots Frank, I agree I only go to pro sports events now when they are comped from vendors. I love single A ball these guys are playing hard with the hopes of making the big leagues. Plus the stadium is set up for families and is so much more affordable.
     
    mike mac, Jun 28, 2005
    #16
  17. patrickh

    patrickh

    666
    May 4, 2005
    Thousand Oaks
    Thanks for the pictures UF, great as usual. I used to take my girls to A games at Yale ball park for the same reason - wonderful family atmosphere, cheap and fun. We actually followed a couple of the guys' careers into the majors, they were almost ready when we watched them. This is the best way to watch the game in my view - pro talent and little ego. And you really got the family feeling of the event..
     
    patrickh, Jun 28, 2005
    #17
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