Woodridge Red Sox 2008

There is something comforting about little league baseball. So much of it is intangible. Not like a major league park with the smell of the fresh cut grass and hot dogs, or the sounds of the organ playing with the vendors yelling "beer here". But things like seeing parents working as first base coaches or scorekeepers. And trying to find a spot in the parking lot where you don't think your car will get hit by a foul ball. Or, cheering for that kid who is just awful and seeing him finally get that first hit after 30 strikeouts.

Both of my kids have played little league ball, and Joey was the last to play in 2008. I think it was Bronco league for Woodridge. The season starts in the spring with evening games where the temperatures drop into the 40's by the end of the game, and by the time the season wraps up temps are in the mid 80's. For as much as you have to deal with, these were some of my favorite nights of the year.

I wanted to try to get some nice shots at one of his games. but I didn't want the typical wide shot. It sounds funny, but composing a good shot for sports is really tough. So I asked my sister in law if I could borrow her 70-300mm zoom to get some nice close-up shots. This was my favorite from this game. I love the action in this shot, especially the dirt and stones spraying up from under the base runners legs. Neither of these children are mine. Joey didn't like to slide.

This was made with my Canon Rebel XT and a 70-300mm zoom.