Hi jcspics. I had been talking to the state director of high school baseball about where I could shoot from on the field. I had earlier been at game where umpires told me that a photographer had a letter from the state that he could shoot from the field. I contacted the director and he told me that #1 there was no letter and here in Kansas and national rules state that no media is allowed in dugouts at all. I told him I had good relationships with most head coaches and 99% let me in their dugouts. He said no media allowed, then after saying that he said if they come over and ask me to leave I should. He also said the home teams, before games start can set a space for media photographers to shoot from which would be a dead ball space. Ok knowing that I always go to umpires before games and ask if ok to shoot from outside dugouts. Ok I was at game asked the umps if ok and the home plate ump said sure, then the field ump said as long as he gets no complaints. I was shooting from just outside third base dugout and there was a man on second. I moved over to my left to get batter shot of third. I looked over and with parents behind the fence I could see I was probably blocking their view. Going back to umps words and I always try not to block anybodies view anyway I moved on past them to a gate right before bullpen and stepped outside. It was perfect height though as I could shoot right over it. Well inning was over and actually my team went out to the field to warm up. The left fielder threw ball way over the other players head and luckily I looked up. It was headed right at my head. I was holding my camera and monopod with right hand. I moved to my left and ball hit my 80-400MM lens on the side which was extended all the way out. The impact knocked out of my hands. I recovered and turned to see my camera in one spot and my lens and monopod in another. I walked over to them and I could see they were messed up. The lens has a big crack and dent where the ball hit it and won't move at all the end of lens had the bracket off of camera still on it. Camera had pins and springs sticking out of mounting area. I am not wealthy enough ( I am retired now) to buy new ones and don't really have the money to repair either. I wanted to cry!!! Sorry this was so long but that is the story. As long as you are behind something I think you will be fine otherwise, but always keep your eyes open especially between innings. Thanks

Tom