pbradin Loc: Florida

I am a Canon shooter, but I agree with Elnikkor that the D500 and the relatively new Nikon 200-500 zoom is the best combo, if your budget will support it.

WJW

what do you think of the Sony Platform?

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Same here, Mark. I lived near a great park and we played pickup games all the time. There were also times that guys from my team and other friends would get together at other "fields," and I do mean "field!!" to play ball. We'd put our gloves on our handlebars, our bats across them, and ride our bikes to the game. We did have grassy areas and would play tackle football much to my parents chagrin. Tennis, too, since we had good courts in the park. Surprisingly, a fun and challenging game. You're right....a blast. We lived independent lives which todays kids cannot even imagine. No wonder they go wild when they get to college!!!

chipc Loc: Clifton Park. New York

Have a canon 7d m2. I use a tamron 150 to 600 g2 and it works great.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

While I have never used that Sigma lens, it does sound ideal for baseball. Normally, I use a Nikon 70-200/2.8 or a Nikon 400/2.8 on my D5 for such tasks. I also use a D500 as well as a D850 for sports, with the D5 being my primary. For everything but the outfield, I like the 70-200. I also use a 300/4 upon occasion, on all three bodies. Everything hinges on the size of the field and my level of access. If you really don't mind spending your money, the new Nikon 180-400/F4 TC would be ideal at only $12k. Best of luck.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Yup!! Sounds like we grew up together in different neighborhoods. LOL
My father put up a backboard on our garage and my first basket was a peach basket with the bottom cut out.
Mark

Dun1 Loc: Atlanta, GA

The most preferred lens, and the most affordable is the 70-200 2.8 lens. Mount you camera on a monopod, it will save fatigue and give you a better chance to get sharper better focused shots. Most High School games are played in seven innings, or longer in playoff our tournament play. If the field is surrounded by chain link fencing, you can press your lens against the chain link to get a clear sharp focused shot of the pitcher. If the field has netting behind the back stop you can get great shots of the pitcher's delivery, the batter in the batters box.
Shooting out fielders is difficult unless you have a longer lens, i.e. 100-400, or as mentioned a 200-500 lens. Shooting outfielders is difficult, most fields have a crown affect to help water drain, so depending on the angle if may be difficult unless you pre-focus your shots. You will learn which field a left hand batter or right hand batter's hit will usually travel to a fielder.
Shooting over the fence is difficult, because you have to use a ladder, or something to elevate you above the fence line, you will find that your legs will scream from moving up and down from the ladder.
You might ask the coach if he has any problems with you shooting from the field during pre game or infield practice. Some schools prohibit photographers from shooting from the field itself. The GHSA (Georgia High School Association ) prohibits photographers from shooting beyond the dug outs. Once the game starts the umpires totally control what happens on the field itself. In most cases the home plate umpire is considered the lead umpire and controls access to the field. So a great idea is to approach the umpire and advise them you intend to shoot the game, you will not hinder play. Don't just pop up on the field. A few times I have seen umpires stop game play to warn a photographer about shooting position. Do not offer to show views of close plays that might be contrary to the umpires call on specific plays you might have captured. Shooting from the dug outs is a great place to shoot, most usually have two openings so you can shoot from the openings. If you shoot from a dug out, be silent and be the photographer cheerleader. Be aware that some associations and tournament organizers have a rule that even first and second base coaches must wear a batting helmet.
I have included a link to a lens simulator that will give you a view of a specific lens on a specific camera body maging.nikon.com/lineup/lens/simulator/

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

I posted about a soccer shoot this past weekend. I decided to test my Sony a7s II with my Sony 70 200 f4 the first version that came out.
I had been shooting these soccer games with my Sony RX10 III 24 to 600 zeiss lens bridge camera which is great for these events.

Well the portraits of the great the great group of 9 year-olds girls including my granddaughter on sidelines reacting to games
ups and downs was spectacular. The color rendition the sharpness and bokeh that didn't take over was pleasing.
Now to the game. Even in a smaller soccer field and on the sidelines ground level I got some shots in video but not
all. The 200mm was not close enough for me. The 70mm had a action play coming right at me and I lost it at 70mm when it got close.
Hope this helps. The 18 to 200 or a lens like that for baseball might be right. Depends on what plays you want to reach CU.
Good luck.

tomcat

For a quick reply, I shoot BB for the local papers and used my D500 and a 70/200mm lens. I asked for permission to go into the dugouts and promised to give the coaches some of the images for their yearbooks. I mostly shot from the 3rd base dugout so I could get shots of the throws to first and second and sliding runners. I'd also go to 1st base dugout to get some shots of bats making contact with the ball. Just remember to absolutely NOT use flash--that'll get you thrown out of the game faster than the umpire could throw out an arguing coach....... Put that D500 on AF-C, 51-point focus, use BB focusing and CH and let 'er rip. If you want to get your son in the outfield, set the D500 to the 1.3x crop mode and that will get you even closer.

Dun1 Loc: Atlanta, GA

Yes, you have show the coach that you are willing to offer some of your work either for their yearbook, or the team webpage if they have one. Most of the players love to see action photos of themselves playing during the game. In most instances where shooting from the the dugouts provides a great chance to get action shots of the base runners, in some cases the photographer for the opposing team has come into the home dugout and shot. I have also gone into the visiting teams dugout to take shots of base runner. It is a you scratch my back I will scratch yours situation, or quid pro quo situation. At time the visiting team photographer and I have been in the same dugout at the same time. It was great to talk to the other photographer if they were not so puffed up or taken with themselves to talk about shooting sports.