Baseball Bummer

Generally, a good sports photo revolves around a great action shot. Looking for that peak action is always something we photographers strive for. Most times the peak action can become very predictable as you learn more about the sports you are covering. Volleyball: at the net. Basketball: under the hoop. And then there is baseball. Baseball is not my most favorable sport. Unlike the other sports, baseball is not really a contact sport. I try to look for the contact but when it comes it is fast and far between.

Most photographers don't favor baseball either. I feel that this is because there is not much contact in the sport. What I have learned is that baseball is much like shooting portraits. Once I stopped looking for action and started making portraits of the players, my shots improved. I could predict the plays as normal, but this time focus in on the people being the plays.

Chico State's Kevin Seaver (left) reaches out to complete the force out against UC San Diego's Josh Tanner, who is called out at first base in the top of the third inning of their baseball game Friday. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

This weekend Chico State played UC San Diego in a 4-game series at Nettleton Stadium. The first game was disastrous with the team losing 19-8. It was painful to see the scoreboard keep climbing. Games like this don't lead to the best action shots. This is why I must look for a good portrait that conveys the emotion of the game. After hearing of the horrific loss from Friday's game, I began looking for a more emotional image for Saturday's doubleheader. I decided if they would lose those games an emotional shot would work best.

The image came in the third inning when third baseman Bret Ringer came up short on his run to first base. He was called out and he didn't look to happy about it. His out ended the inning. I followed him through my lens as he made a hit and raced down the line. Once he was called out I continued to follow him looking for a reaction. He finally showed his frustration once he began to take his helmet off. I snapped a few and had a shot.

Chico State's Bret Ringer reacts to being forced out at first base against UC San Diego in the bottom of the third inning during their first baseball game of a doubleheader Saturday. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Later in the next inning I was able to get another emotional shot and an action shot in the same play. Chico State's Jimmy Dodos scored by sliding into home plate putting the Cat's up by one in the bottom of the fourth inning. He was excited and I was able to capture his enthusiasm after being called safe. Unfortunately for the Cat's, the latter emotion didn't stick as they lost both games of their doubleheader Saturday. What did work out nicely is the image of Ringer showing his frustration. This image showed the Chico State baseball team emotion of their game play.

Chico State's Jimmy Dodos (left) slides safely into home plate against UC San Diego's Kellen Lee (right) in the bottom of the fourth inning during their first baseball game of a doubleheader Saturday. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State's Jimmy Dodos pumps a fist after sliding safely into home plate against UC San Diego in the bottom of the fourth inning during their first baseball game of a doubleheader Saturday. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

A shot like this is something that sets photographers apart. With camera gear getting cheaper, now parents can carry the type of equipment professional have. But there is a reason we are professionals. We are able to see the world a little differently and hopefully capture the difference to show the rest of the world. I tried to capture not just an ordinary baseball action shot, but something stronger. The team felt a baseball bummer, but that doesn't mean I have to either.