AbeFlags Loc: Northern Va (Fairfax & Vienna)

Greetings fellow Hedgehog Forum lovers.

Taking pictures and video at Softball & Baseball Games --

I've been taking pictures and video for over 55 years. I just like to take pictures and video.

I do all kinds of photo work for my house league team (I coach 12U girls), plus my daughter's travel softball and high school.

Because of the chain-link fence, always being a hindrance, I resort to finding a spot to shoot from various locations along the outfield fence.

Sometimes the fences are SO TALL, I have to bring along a ladder! I wish there was a way to film from behind the backstop, but the links always get in the way.

So, my question to SOFTBALL and BASEBALL photographers is ... how do you film these kinds of events? Where do you like to position yourself to get as much of the action (video) as possible.

Thank you.

Abe Flags (John) From Vienna & Fairfax, Virginia!

rayford2 Loc: New Bethlehem, PA

Concerning chain-link fences.
If you have a camera with a lens smaller than the open area of the link connections this would eliminate the links.
The use of a smaller lens might handicap a low light situation but with sunlight and good field lighting at night this may not be a problem.
Invariably something will get out of the useful angle you can use due to the chain so choose your vantage spot carefully before you set up shop.
Also, I would use an old filter frame without the filter and screw it into the lens for edge protection. If you have no threads on the lens for this you'll have to innovate something to protect the lens edge from rubbing against the links, but make sure you don't cause vignetting when you do this...just a suggestion.

pheintz Loc: Portland, Or.

This was taken at the ASA 10U Washington State Championship. I was the event photograher. I spend most of my time on the field just outsde the first base dougout, floting between the front ad back edges of the dougout. My next posion is on the third base side agafloting betwe the front and back allng the baseline.

wfjohnson Loc: Fayetteville, Georgia

Hi John
I also take shotos of my granddughter fastpitch softball team and High School qames. The best thing that works for me is to know the umpires very well and some times take and send them a photo of them in the game. Most let me on the field and I like the 3rd base side best, but it depends on the sun. In High School games the Ga H.S. Association does not let you on the field or in the dugout due to liability issues, but if it is not that type of game, then most of the time I am on the field or in the dugout. Can see some of my photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/billboard3 Bill

BigD Loc: The LEFT Coast

Sounds like your doing what we all do. You either get inside and dodge baseballs or work the edges and find a shot through, over, around, or under the fence. If you can get close enough you can usually shoot through the chain link and keep it to the point that the blurry fence can be cropped out. Make sure the fence doesn't distract your autofocus from your subject.

Another cool thing that the pro's do for serious games is to mount a remote camera on the backstop poles and fire it with a Pocket Wizard. Some of the most amazing "how did they get that" shots are taken with remotes.

Shot through the fence (out by a mile)


Shot through the fence with a BIG lens and cropped

Skyblumedia Loc: South Carolina

Usually any shots that I get are just beyond the dugouts... where the fence changes height... also from between the chain links but that is challenging... I have on occasion been allowed on the field, but with that you really have to watch yourself... those balls move pretty fast...

Royalruler Loc: Rancho Cucamonga

You have described all the problems with softball and baseball, I have been to two fields that have a place for photographers. I have thought about getting the parents and myself to pay for putting a photographer place in the field I shoot at most of the time.
I shoot thru the fence a lot but have to get the sun at my back for the best shots sometimes the wire reflects into the lens. I have painted the wire with spray paint dark green or black, to prevent this.