I am no expert, but your problem may be resolved by your choice of paper and or paper settings. For example, I have used the wrong paper settings and got horrible results, also used Kodak paper on my Canon printer with the improper paper settings. Now I only use Canon paper and I am more careful to make sure the paper settings match my paper. I hope this helps.

Thanks Johnny. I have been on ebay lurking for the past 2 weeks or so. I will continue to lurk. Who knows what I might find out there?

Thanks guys. I know where you are coming from. As I said in my original post, I know the 18-135 is not the best for baseball. I don't make any money doing the baseball games, so I really don't want to spend a bunch.
If ever baseball pictures become profitable for me, I will look for something like a 100-400mm lens, but I'm doubtful that will happen. The 50mm that Kylemc suggested would be even better for portraits, and I am considering that one in the future, but it has limited use. For now, I want versatility, but $250.00 - $300.00 is all I can spend. I do not want to ask for credit either. Jim and a few others have told me that they love this lens, and I went to Jim's website and saw some of his work. This guy gets amazing results using that 18-135. If I have just 1/10 of his skill, I think I'll be happy with that lens too.
I sincerely thank you again for you input.

Seems I may have deleted my most valuable work! Me with my nervous shutter finger, I see something weird and unappealing to me, I delete. Ones man's garbage is another man's treasure.
Crappy photo=Big $$$$$$$$???

Coco & JohnnyRotten, (I love the name), thanks, but I am trying to keep it under $275.00, and don’t think that will be a problem with the 18-135mm. I have no doubt the Tamron would give me more range and do most of what I’ll ever need from it. Maybe I will eventually sell the 18-135 and buy the Tamron or something like it. That is what I will do with the kit lens I have now after I get the new one.
Coco as for getting the “shot of the left fielder climbing the wall”. Not really a problem. You see in addition to taking pictures, I play in what I affectionately refer to as an ‘Old Fart League’. It is for guys over 55 and nuts enough to keep playing. These guys do not climb the fences and rarely dive and make the super-athletic plays you speak of. There are some guys in the league in their 70‘s. We are just trying to have fun playing this kids game. For the league you are in I can see your point.

Brilliantly written! I am printing it out and also emailing it to my son, who does not know a lot about most of this stuff, but seems interested in learning. This will help far more than anything I have told him, or even read anywhere else. Thanks Jim, you are a hero.

Sensei, I have looked on Adorama, B&H, Canon, 42street Camera, and others. So far it looks like my best bet is ebay. I'll keep shopping around awhile longer, as I am not in a big hurry. Meanwhile, if any of you have one you would like to part with, by all means make me an offer. Thanks again to all for your input.

Those are great shots with the Tamron lens, but I'm afraid that would break my budget. Thanks for posting them. Here a couple of shots I got with my 18-55mm kit lens that I am replacing.

Thanks guys, I value all of your input. I think for baseball the longer range lens would be better, but I think for portraits and most everything other than baseball, the 18-135mm would be perfect. Last season I used my 18-55 for everything, (it's all I had). I did okay with it, as long as the ball was in the infield.
Hopefully by next season, I'll add something that will zoom to 300mm or more.

Jim, I just checked out your website. In addition to your ample skills and knowledge of photography, you have a great sense of humor. I had a good time reading a lot of your stuff and enjoyed your pictures. I have learned so much from reading the posts here on UHH. You and others have educated and enlightened and inspired me with more knowledge than I ever imagined possible in the short time I have been a member here. I can't thank you and the rest of the members of UHH enough.

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm thinking with that lens, I can possibly peddle my old one, because as Jim said, the 18-135 will cover the range of the kit lens and more. This lens I think will be better for my needs, and meanwhile, I'll try saving up for something with longer range for baseball and other things. I am glad to hear that you guys like the 18-135 because I respect your expert opinions.
Jim, I have seen a lot of your work. With that lens, all I will really need is some of your talent!

Hi UHH Friends,
I have a Canon T1i with the 18-55 kit lens. I am thinking of buying a 18-135mm lens as an upgrade to use for portraits and daytime baseball games. I know this lens is not the optimal choice, but is more versatile than my current lens and more affordable than most of the others I have considered. I was wondering if any of you guys have any better advice for me. I have a very limited budget, so please keep that in mind. Thanks in advance for you help.

Dave

I'm glad you enjoyed them. We had a great time there on vacation. I love trains and that city has loads of them!

I love that shot of the RR Crossing. We are building a huge model train room in our basement. I would love to have a large copy of that photo for the wall in that room.
If we ever get that room totally set up the way we want it, I will post many pictures of it here.
Below are some shots I took in Chattanooga last year.
This is the Tennessee Valley Railroad. In the 2nd shot the engine & tender are being turned around on a turntable to reverse it's direction.

Here is one I took last Xmas in Gatlinburg, TN. with a cheap point & Shoot Panasonic. Not as impressive as most here, but I like it anyway.