Tale of Two Diamonds

This spring, I put in practice time a couple of days a week shooting sports that I can't say I've spent a whole lot of hours shooting. The diamond sports. I'm not particularly inclined to enjoying either (watching, or playing) but always look forward to the opportunity to get a good shot. The only thing is, you've really got to pay attention. If you blink, you might miss one of the few chances for action. Shout out to the Houston Astros, the 2013 AL West Champs. Count on it.

Diamond Neglect

Baseball? When is the last time I shot baseball? I'll tell you when...2009! Needless to say, I've got a little rust on me so a tune up is in order. The tricky thing about shooting baseball is that it's a slow game. You have to be patient and you have to pay attention and you have to do both. So little action happens during the course of a game that if you miss it, you might as well close up shop and go home. I went to shake some of the cobwebs off at a McClatchy High v. Sacramento High game near my home base. Shout out to lanky, left handed pitchers. Hits off them are hard to come by. Ask Randy Johnson.

Sac Lady Dragons

Waaaaaaay back in March, I photographed a girls high school basketball game for the Sacramento Bee. Sacramento High School is a perennial basketball power in the area and that night, they showed it. The Lady Dragons defeated the Mustangs of San Marin 72-34 in a state playoff match-up. Shoutout to pressing, trapping, turnovers and defense. You need all of that to beat a team by 38 points.

Sac High (Purple) Dragons

In the years I've been shooting and watching high school sports, I've never heard of a team called the Dragons, have you? That all changed when I ventured over to Sacramento Charter High School to check out the Dragons against the Woodside Wildcats. Saturday game, scorching heat, shitty 1pm light...just how I like it. The Wildcats travelled all the way from a small town somewhere between San Francisco and San Jose to take the W on the Dragons well manicured and neatly painted football field.

A Wildcat player repeatedly tapped the top of his helmet signaling his need for a substitution. One of his coaches yelled, "Stay in the game! If you're tired, you can rest on the ride home!" How's that for motivation. Shout out to long bus trips back home after wins. Much more enjoyable than after losses.

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