My first SCIFL tourney of the season

This past weekend, I once again picked up my camera gear and headed for Little Lake Park, where our local fastpitch league plays. This was my first time this season but it was about the fifth tourney for SCIFL. It is always old home week when I return to this park and to the familiar faces that to me signal that the summer is here and best of all fastpitch season. Click HERE to see photos of the tournament, and if you feel up to it, let us know how you feel about the photos by clicking on the "Like" button. We'd really like to have your feedback.

The Women and the Bombers

Steve Miner
SDSU Asst. Coach

Last Friday, I took in a game between the San Diego State University women's softball team and the old Vista Bombers (circa 1991). This is not the first time these two teams have met, in fact it has become an annual tradition as one of the women's coaches is a former Vista Bomber himself (Steve Miner). It was late in the afternoon when the game began, leaving me very little light to capture the action, but what I did catch was wonderful. Not only are the girls great athletes but it was nice to see that time and age had not dampen the abilities and spirit of the Vista Bombers. You can check out the gallery of photos HERE.

2011 ISC Hall of Fame Photos

This year's Hall of Fame breakfast was one close to my heart, as good friends Dave Blackburn and Robert Gray were inducted each for their valuable contributions to the ISC. I'm not particularly fond of waking up early during my "working vacation" to share breakfast and take photos, but this year it seemed effortless. I was just as excited, I am sure, as the family and friends who attended to honor their well-deserving inductees. I was doubly glad also that the breakfast was so full of joy, and laughter as friends recalled those stories that I am sure inductees had hoped their friends had forgotten. All in all, it was one of the best breakfasts I've attended and by the turnout and the looks around the room, I know I was not alone. You can view the photos by clicking HERE or go to the Sports/Fastpitch/2011 ISC HOF Breakfast gallery.

The long shot

I have to admit that for some time now I have viewed it as a "long shot" that I would ever cover slowpitch. As many of you know, my photography has grown around the world of fastpitch and as such, I'm not exactly unbiased. But this weekend, my lens and I, found ourselves at a dusty field in Huntington Beach, California, photographing and dare I say, enjoying, a game of slowpitch. The game, well...it is quite different from what I am used to, but one thing did strike me as the ball was lobbed to the next batter. Everyone there was enjoying the game. The sense of competition and the same desire to win, was very much present. So, it was not long before I began to feel at home; my camera focused on the batter, my feet firmly planted on the foul line grass, ready to sprint should the batter hit a foul tip directed at my head or worse yet, my lens. You can see the photos by clicking HERE.

2nd Annual California Classic Tourney

I've just posted the photos of the recent California Classic Men's Fastpitch Tournament which took place in San Diego, California. You can see the photos by clicking HERE or by clicking on Sports/Fastpitch and the 2011 California Classic gallery.

This is my second time at this tourney and it has quickly become one of my favorites. The reasons? The level of play, the great location, the facility and the folks that run the whole thing. Oh, and seeing local and not-so-local friends (such as the guys on the photo in this post) makes it all that much better. Thanks for the beers guys!

What happened with the SCIFL photos?

I'm not sure what happened but sometime in May I took photos of our local league and just plain forgot to post them. There aren't many photos as I was only there for a couple of games. But as is usual in this league (SCIFL) there is never a lack of action. So I belatedly share with you some photos of the SCIFL's games this past May and hope you will forgive the mind bleep. You can see the gallery of photos by clicking HERE or look for the "2011 SCIFL May" gallery of photos under Sports/Fastpitch.

It never rains in Southern California...well, hardly ever.

This past weekend I was in the beautiful (albeit wet) city of Santa Barbara, California, photographing the 21st annual Best of the West tournament. Although some rain was expected, I was hoping to have complete coverage of the tournament. Alas, it was not to be so, and early on the 2nd day of the tournament the weather gods turned against us and the skies broke open; leaving us all (players, directors, fans, photographers) wanting more and wishing for a better ending. Nevertheless, Saturday's games provided some great action that I now share with you. You can go directly to the gallery by cliking HERE or check out the 2011 Best of the West gallery, under Sports/Fastpitch.