Sky High Catch

Exceptional fielding plays at first can be some of the very best baseball action photos.

Colby College first baseman Cabot Maher leaps high to grab a line drive for the out vs. Bates College.

The Photo

Colby College's baseball team was facing cross-state rival Bates College, who had a runner on first with no outs, and was hoping to start a rally.  The game was played in Spring, 2021 during the COVID pandemic, so players wore masks throughout the games to ensure their continued safety, but it made playing more challenging for the athletes.

Plays at first are too often routine, as the first baseman casually catches the ball before the runner arrives, and pickoff plays are rare, so photographers tend to ignore most action at first. However, when the Bates batter fouled a ball toward first, I decided to train my camera on the Colby first baseman, in case he had the chance to make a play.  Luckily for me, the Bates batter hit a hard line drive on the very next pitch, and the Colby first baseman leaped high into the air to snag it for the out, although he couldn't land fast enough to beat the runner diving back to first to get a double play. But this catch stopped any Bates momentum, and Colby went on to win the game 12-4. The powerful photo was a good reminder that first base action can provide outstanding pictures, too.

3 Tips

1. First base plays are often routine and uninteresting, with the first baseman easily catching the ball as the runner approaches the bag, so photographers often don't shoot much first base action.

2. When a batter tends to hit the ball toward first base, focus your camera on the first baseman, since that's where the ball is likely to be hit next.

3. Spectacular fielding plays by the first baseman and pickoff plays will create terrific first base action photos, so photographers shouldn't ignore first base.

Our Hero!!

Fan reactions and interactions often create extremely powerful sports photos.

Enthusiastic fans hug Colby College football player Asher Inman (center) after a 23-20 win over interstate rival Bates College.

The Photo

When a school’s football team plays one of its biggest rivals, fans are eagerly ready to celebrate every positive moment throughout the contest. And if the team defeats this big rival in a close, exciting match, after an afternoon of high emotion, player and fan reactions will be especially intense after the win, making for many photo opportunities of emotional reactions.

Naturally, you’ll first want to capture images of exuberant players, either throughout the game, as the clock counts down to zero, or just after the game ends. However, don’t put your camera away too quickly because the fans are often just as happy and emotional as the victorious players, and they frequently want to join the player celebrations on the field, especially in university, college, and high school games.

During this Colby College football win over Maine state rival Bates College, Colby took the lead early, but Bates gradually chipped away at the Colby lead, until they were within 3 points and progressing toward the Colby end zone with just minutes remaining.  However, the defense held firm at the end and Colby won its first game of the season 23-20.  Not only did the players celebrate jubilantly, alumni, parents, and students also poured from the stands onto the field to join in. When triumphant Colby defensive back Asher Inman was swarmed by happy fans, mostly female, their combined joyous expressions made a great photo.

3 Tips

1.     Fans and players often react emotionally to close or exciting wins over rivals.

2.     As the game ends, and for a while after it’s over, watch for photos of strong emotional expressions.

3.     Fan interactions with players or reactions to the victory will often make the most compelling photos.