Softball CIF Semi-Finals Millikan vs Lakewood

I was hoping I would be asked to cover the CIF Semi-Finals Girls Softball with Millikan and Lakewood High fighting for a spot in the finals, and I wasn't disappointed.

 

I make it a point to arrive at a shoot location early to see what I have to work with.  This game was held on a high school field, which really doesn't leave a lot of space to shoot from, but this was a semi-final game against two teams in the same league, which meant one of them would continue to the final game, so needless to say the area was packed with fans.  That was just a piece of the puzzle as it turned out.  As I waited for game time photographer after photographer started showing up.  This isn't a good thing as we would all be fighting and jockeying for spots.

 

As things started I began to do my thing and the first thing I had to deal with was a fan asking me if I was going to be where I was kneeling throughout the game.  My initial thought was really dude, I'm barely poking around the fence to get shots of the batter, but it is what it is and I simply told him I plan on moving all over the place during the game and I did.  I simply moved around when I found an opening and shoot from various locations.  Initially I was thinking of heading out halfway through the game, but really don't like to leave until its all said and done.

 

So I stayed and got what I got, which I am pleased with.

 

Girls Varsity Softball - Millikan vs Lakewood

Its that time of the year - high school softball / baseball, but this post is dedicated to girls varsity softball. It's been about a year since covering my last softball game and each game gives me different obstacles to overcome. With this game I was really limited to where I could position myself, which was about 5-7 yds past the first and third lines. This gave me issues with other players getting in the way or the base coaches standing between me and the batters, but I've learned that there are never any guarantees and as a sports shooter you often have to be flexible with your positioning.

So in addition to the two spots I mentioned above I also shoot through the fence (behind and off to the side of the catcher) with my 300 f/2.8 to get some shots of the pitchers. Another spot I used was a hole in the fence just inside the dugout which gave me a direct view for thrid base and shortstop.

I will say I seriously need to work on my timing to get the ball in the shot more, but well see what happens as the season goes and I get out to a few more games.