Keeping An Active Eye In An Inactive Game

     I always like to see a high paced game. But as most things go, a game doesn't always hold the attention of a state championship or rival school. Some games are merely games. That is no excuse for me to keep an active eye. I shot the Chico State vs Sonoma women's softball game today as my lead in softball game for the season. 

     The game held nothing special. In fact, I was faced with harsh lighting conditions and little knowledge of the players and personalities on the field. It might have been only my anxiety to get back into softball/baseball season that keep my feet moving around the diamond. A constant moving around the game of play allows me to get more angles and much more of a variety of images. I shot behind the catcher, the first base line, the third base line, out in the outfield. I was always shifting my location.

      It might have had a little to do with the fans, coaches and umpires who always seem to get in the way. Or it might have been that today was such a beautiful day. I hope not to get burned out and keep up this variation to covering the game. It definitely give much more for the coverage of the sport. It's taken me some time to learn how to shoot softball/baseball. It different than other sports. It's not really a contact sport. And when contact happens, you need to be on top of it to capture it. As time usually dictates, I will probably get very tired of the sport, and just in time for my favorite game...football; but I am quite far to already be day dreaming about that game. So, here's to a hopeful spring season!

Chico State's #15 Kelly Head (left) slides safely into third base against Sonoma State's #9 Rochelle Vanyi (right) in the bottom of the fourth inning during their women's softball game at CSUC University softball field Friday, March 19, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State's #3 Charlotte Honciano cheers on her pitcher against Sonoma State in the top of the third inning during their women's softball game at CSUC University softball field Friday, March 19, 2010 in Chico, Calif.  (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State's #17 Caitlin Bryne (left) and #13 Christina Wieck (right) cheer on their teammates against Sonoma State in the bottom of the fourth inning during their women's softball game at CSUC University softball field Friday, March 19, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State's #2 Rebecca Johnson (right) rounds second base on her way to third against Sonoma State's #3 Kayla Ledford (left) in the bottom of the fourth inning during their women's softball game at CSUC University softball field Friday, March 19, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State's #12 Sarah Marcia (right) cheers on her teammates against Sonoma State in the bottom of the fourth inning during their women's softball game at CSUC University softball field Friday, March 19, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State's #20 Jenna Wermes bunts for a single against Sonoma State in the bottom of the second inning during their women's softball game at CSUC University softball field Friday, March 19, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State's #2 Rebecca Johnson (right) slides safely into second base against Sonoma State's #9 Rochelle Vanyi (left) in the top of the second inning during their women's softball game at CSUC University softball field Friday, March 19, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State's head coach Angel Shamblin (right) gives some advice to #22 Jessica McDermott (left) against Sonoma State in the top of the first inning during their women's softball game at CSUC University softball field Friday, March 19, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State's #22 Jessica McDermott pitches against Sonoma State in the top of the first inning during their women's softball game at CSUC University softball field Friday, March 19, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State's #3 Charlotte Honciano (right) gets the force out at second base against Sonoma State's #14 LeeAnn Stroud (left) in the top of the first inning during their women's softball game at CSUC University softball field Friday, March 19, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Tell me what you think? What is your favorite?

Email me at propixelographer@gmail.com

Softball Practice Lets Me Practice Photography

I had a chance to head out to Butte College to photograph two big players in the women's softball team. There was a miscommunication that lead to a rescheduling of a game earlier in the week. This allowed me to head out to a practice to get some shots. I like it when I get to shoot some features during practice. They players are a little more laid back and I am able to get angles I normally can't during game play. I spent about an hour with the team walking around them during their drills. 

Butte College softball player Shinaya McGill cracks a smile as she takes some batting practice swings inside the batting cage at Cowan Softball field Thursday, March 18, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Butte College softball player Shinaya McGill takes some practice swings to warm up. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Butte College softball player Andrea Gonzales works on her form during batting practice at Cowan Softball field on Thursday, March 18, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Butte College softball player Andrea Gonzales leads the bases during a base running drill at Cowan Softball field. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Butte College softball player Shinaya McGill extends during a throw as she warms up Thursday, March 18, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Tell me what you think? What is your favorite?

Email me at propixelographer@gmail.com

College Summed Up In One Image

Most of the time I will describe what is going on in a photograph. This one doesn't need much for me to explain. I would actually like to see what you think about the things going on in this image. There are so many elements to it. It would be fun to see what you think is going on. Let me know.

Partiers hang outside a home along Ivy St. near W. 3rd St. as St. Patrick Day celebrations spill into the streets as partiers, CSUC/Butte students and non-students, enjoy the week off on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 in Downtown Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

No Luck in Finding the Irish

Chico is known for its high party activities during holidays. This year the luck might have run out. Chico State University in conjunction with Butte College and other academic institutions have decided to change the Spring Break week off to coincide with St. Patrick's Day. The intended thought is to have students head home for the vacation instead of staying and partying in Chico. St. Patrick's Day fell on a Wednesday, and I suspect that because no one wanted to wait for the party to come, they took advantage of their time off to plan trips for the holiday. 

Josh Low, 21, walks across Salem St. at W. 2nd St. as St. Patrick Day celebrations spill into the streets as partiers, CSUC/Butte students and non-students, enjoy the week off on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 in Downtown Chico, Calif.  (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Kaitlynn "KB" Wolfe, 21 (left) rides her bike with Sarah Peters, 23 (right) as they head towards a house along W. 4th St. near Ivy St. as St. Patrick Day celebrations spill into the streets as partiers, CSUC/Butte students and non-students, enjoy the week off on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 in Downtown Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The town had very few students. While it was kinda nice to not have the hassle of drunken youth yelling and fighting, it was a little challenging to find something unique. Most were dressed in the casual green with hardly anyone getting into the Irish spirit to decorate themselves for the day. 

Partiers play beer pong outside a home along W. 4th St. near Ivy St. as St. Patrick Day celebrations spill into the streets as partiers, CSUC/Butte students and non-students, enjoy the week off on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 in Downtown Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Partiers walk past mounted patrol units Det. Abigail Madden and Sgt. Scott Ruppel along Ivy St. near W. 4th St. as St. Patrick Day celebrations spill into the streets as partiers, CSUC/Butte students and non-students, enjoy the week off on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 in Downtown Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Word on the town is that César Chávez Day is going to be THE day for party plans. That day is in the middle of the week, yet students will not be on vacation for the week, giving them the close proximity to local venues.

Happy Birthday Jojo

Jojo is a therapy dog who celebrated his birthday with the residence of Roseleaf nursing home and assisted living facility on St. Patrick's Day. Can't say much about the amount of "adorable" with this one. Jojo did enjoy a little sing along, but quickly tired out looking for a treat.

Roseleaf's activity coordinator, Kim Vickers, sings with Jojo, a therapy dog, for the St. Patrick's Day and Jojo's bday celebration at Roseleaf, an assisted living center, on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Jojo is a rescue dog believed to be a cross between a Shih Tzu and Maltese. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Bank Robber Runs Free... For Now.

The Wells Fargo inside Raley's grocery store on Notre Dame Blvd. was robbed this afternoon. We haven't had a bank robbery in some time. I'm surprised they still happen.

The robbers don't get much from the tellers and with all the security cameras and witnesses that would see you, it doesn't seem worth it. It doesn't seem worth it even if you got a couple thousand dollars out of it. But some people dare to challenge the local law enforcement.

Today, one suspect did challenge the force and managed to scurry away... for now that is. It really is only a matter of time before security footage will make a positive ID and the suspect be tracked down. Too bad they didn't catch him on scene. But I was able to snap a few local police heroes who might make the paper again in the future for some service they perform. It'll be nice to add to the collection.

Chico Police Lt. Mike O'Brien (left) talks with Capt. Kirk Trostle (right) as they investigate the scene of a bank robbery at the Wells Fargo bank inside Raley's on Notre Dame Tuesday, March 16, 2010 in Chico, Calif. The suspect ran off with an undisclosed amount of money. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Police officer Winston Capucion gathers investigation material from his patrol vehicle to investigate the scene of a bank robbery at the Wells Fargo bank inside Raley's on Notre Dame Tuesday. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The most interesting thing about bank robberies now of days is that all you need is a piece of paper. Back in the day you'd have to have at least a revolver or tommy gun, a horse or a car, or even a posse to help. There are so many rules that don't allow clerks to take risks (and they really shouldn't) that someone can just come in with a note and that's it! They don't even have to say anything! It's really too easy.

Rodgers Rocks the Butte Spring Gala

I've known Aaron Rodgers not as the Greenbay quarterback, but as the fellow high school classmate. So, it is always a little weird to follow him around like a paparazzi. Most others need to be doing something important in the image to use them for the paper. Not the case with Aaron. He just needs to stand there, that's a photo. He smiles, that's a photo. He frowns, that's a photo. It is really, really weird. But that is the name of fame. I am by no means a paparazzi photographer, but I have to be one when he comes into town. But if you know Aaron, he is one of the nicest guys, so he's always been a good sport about the whole thing. That's something I can appreciate. 

Greenbay quarterback Aaron C. Rodgers (right) mingles with guests after he was honored with an 2010 Outstanding Alumni Awards during the Butte College Spring Gala at the CSUC BMU Saturday, March 13, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Aaron stopped by the Butte College Spring Gala to be honored with three other alumni. David Mobilio was honored posthumously for his line of duty as a patrol officer. His wife Linda Mobilio-Keeling and son Luke Mobilio accepted the award for him. Retired Butte County Sheriff Perry Reniff was also honored. Jim Culp, a pastor, was the last to receive the award this year.

Luke Mobilio and Linda Mobilio-Keeling (who accepted the award for David Mobilio, honored posthumously), Retired Butte County Sheriff Perry Reniff, Butte College President Diana Van Der Ploeg, Greenbay quarterback Aaron C. Rodgers, and Jim Culp (left to right) talk to press during a press conference as they were honored with an 2010 Outstanding Alumni Awards at the Butte College Spring Gala at the CSUC BMU Saturday, March 13, 2010 in Chico, Calif.  (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Retired Butte County Sheriff Perry Reniff, was honored with an 2010 Outstanding Alumni Awards during a press conference at the Butte College Spring Gala at the CSUC BMU Saturday, March 13, 2010 in Chico, Calif.  (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Greenbay quarterback Aaron C. Rodgers was honored with an 2010 Outstanding Alumni Awards during a press conference at the Butte College Spring Gala at the CSUC BMU Saturday, March 13, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

It was pretty interesting the media that Aaron alone brings in. I felt a little bad about the other honorees that were there. Most of the other media didn't ask them much. Compared to Aaron they are "small potatoes". I was glad to see our reporter, Robin Epley, not focus so much on the celebrity in the room. She chose to ask what the night meant for all the individuals honored. I can't hark to much on the other media though. They were only sports guys, not news guys. They really only cared about getting an audio clip of Aaron. That was there job. 

Luke Mobilio and Linda Mobilio-Keeling (who accepted the award for David Mobilio, honored posthumously), with Butte College Foundation President John Dahlmeir and Greenbay quarterback Aaron C. Rodgers, (left to right) talk after a press conference as they were honored with an 2010 Outstanding Alumni Awards at the Butte College Spring Gala at the CSUC BMU Saturday, March 13, 2010 in Chico, Calif.  (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Guest dine at the Butte College Spring Gala at the CSUC BMU Saturday, March 13, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The Spring Gala is a fancy fundraising event for Butte College. The money raised is split between the athletics and academics. Butte College announced its plans to work on a construction project for the football field and the firefighting department. I can say that I did feel a little under dressed. Formal events are not my fancy when I am out racing around the county all day. I'll have to start carrying the tux in the car, or maybe under my jacket... like Bond, James Bond.