No photographers: Wondering what is happening for other photographers shooting high school baseball. Was told today that they can no longer allow photographers inside fence as of this...

farwest Loc: Utah

Wondering what is happening for other photographers shooting high school baseball. Was told today that they can no longer allow photographers inside fence as of this year. I'm in the state of Utah but was told it was nationwide. What is happening in your neck of the woods.

tom kf4wol

Here in West Central Florida. Our local High School Coach's give me unlimited access to their practices, and games. At baseball games, I am in the dugout of both teams. Prior to a game our Coach tells the opposing Coach's, and Umpires who I am. And that I have these priviledges.

I am an amateur shutter clicker. I got involved when Our Grandkids started playing spots, followed them thru High School. And now that they have graduated I continues to go to the local kids games, take photos enjoying my hobby.

All photo attempts I try are made available to Coach's/School they have used them for their Banquests, Year Books, and Sports Programs.

I find it very rewarding.

Tom

farwest Loc: Utah

Well here they have closed the door on photographers. You can shoot over some fences but most are 8 foot high. Two years ago in one city the high shool AD wouldn't let anyone on the field so one photographer brought his ladder to shoot over the 8ft fence.

Dannj

farwest wrote:

Well here they have closed the door on photographers. You can shoot over some fences but most are 8 foot high. Two years ago in one city the high shool AD wouldn't let anyone on the field so one photographer brought his ladder to shoot over the 8ft fence.

Have they offered any explanation for the ban? It’s been a few years since I’ve done any high school shots but never had a problem when I did. Is it a privacy issue?

farwest Loc: Utah

They have never gave a explanation as of yet. The lady umpire I talked to said it was a new ruling as of this year but I can't find it anywhere in the rules.

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

farwest wrote:

Wondering what is happening for other photographers shooting high school baseball. Was told today that they can no longer allow photographers inside fence as of this year. I'm in the state of Utah but was told it was nationwide. What is happening in your neck of the woods.

I shoot for Maxpreps which is a division of CBS Sports. I have a couple of press passes so it allows me access to go anywhere I want. Sometimes I shoot from the dugout, sometimes from either the first or third base areas. I am lucky from your stories. That is just terrible.

farwest Loc: Utah

I have a state media pass from the UHSSA which had always allowed access. I shoot all the high school sports our school participates in. Just hoping this type of thinking doesn't flow into the other sports.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Although a press pass can go a long way, it does pay to be very aware of your surroundings. I'm generally allowed where most others aren't but you need to be smart about it and be sure that you won't interfere with the game. If you watch MLB, you won't find photographers anywhere on the field, mostly in the dugout in the special area provided for photographers. A professional photographer follows the rules to a T. Best of luck.

farwest Loc: Utah

The last time I shot a the state baseball tournament some fields had a designated area for photographers. High school dugouts don't have any special area to shoot from.

Thanks

clemente21

I used to ask the umpires for permission and I usually got it, although kind of reluctantly. They also restricted the area I could go. Now I always carry my perch and shoot over the fence from every place I can. It is even better as I can shoot over players that could otherwise would get on the line of sight.

Toby

farwest wrote:

Wondering what is happening for other photographers shooting high school baseball. Was told today that they can no longer allow photographers inside fence as of this year. I'm in the state of Utah but was told it was nationwide. What is happening in your neck of the woods.

The other day before I shot a HS boys baseball game I spoke with the umpires to ask their permission as I always do. Before I got done they said you can shoot from a designated media area or the dugouts for boys games but not for softball. They said the Ohio High school Athletic Association will no longer allow media on a softball field. You must shoot from the dugout or outside of the fence. They said the girls field was "just too small".
I had always shot baseball from the dugouts, with coaches permission, and it has worked quite well. As for softball I don't like being in the dugout which creates a problem. All the softball fields I have been to have 8' fences past first and third bases and the dugouts are small and many have fencing in front of them.

farwest Loc: Utah

I always did the same thing talk to the umpire and ask him if I could shoot and if it would be okay against the fence not even out on the grass. It is no longer the umpires decision here as it has come down from the UHSSA that no photographers on the field.

PaulR01 Loc: West Texas

Not true in High School Sports. Each state makes its own rules. In Texas the AD has the final decision for the school you are shooting.

farwest Loc: Utah

Thanks for that information because I can't find it anywhere in the UHSSA rule book but umpires received information from somewhere which I'm going to try to clarify today as I haven't been allow to shoot inside fence yet. I'm hoping it is the AD as I know him really well and have a great relationship with him.

farwest Loc: Utah

Well I received the information today on no photographers on the field. It National Federation of State High School Associations. Here is the information. So actually you can be on the field under the guidelines if it is establish before the game and the umpire feels it won't interfere with play to much. I don't if all states belong to the NFSHA

Hope this helps someone as the umpire didn't say there was a way to be on the field they just said photographers could no longer occupy the field.