Safe by an eyelash

Rockie second baseman Omar Quintanilla beats the tag into third base with a triple in the 2nd inning of spring training game against the D'Backs. Arizona third baseman Mark Reynolds tries to put the tag on. This image was taken at 168mm focal length with an exposure of 1/160 seconds at f/10, ISO 100.

Contact!

I'm always trying to get a shot of the ball while photographing batters and I got lucky with this shot as the ball has just left the bat. This image was taken at 214mm focal length with an exposure of 1/500 seconds at f/8, ISO 200.

The Pitch

I made it out to a D'Backs spring training game on Monday with my daughter who is visiting. As usual, I took my camera and lots of pictures. Lefty pitcher Jonathan Coutlangus delivers a pitch to one of the Rockies hitters. This image was taken at 283mm focal length with an exposure of 1/400 seconds at f/8, ISO 200.

Fouled back

Diamondback third baseman Chad Tracy fouls a ball back. This image was taken at 238mm focal length with an exposure of 1/400 seconds at f/8, ISO 200.

The pitch

Diamondback outfielder Eric Byrnes leads off first base as Rockies pitcher Josh Fogg delivers a pitch. This image was taken at 190mm focal length with an exposure of 1/640 seconds at f/8, ISO 200.

RBI Single

Todd Helton onf the Colorado Rockies signles, driving in Steve Finley who had made it to 3rd base after walking. This image was taken at 190mm focal length with an exposure of 1/640 seconds at f/8, ISO 200.

Steve Finley at the plate

I was surprised to see Steve Finley with the Colorado Rockies. He was one of the stars of the World Series winning 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks and I always enjoyed watching him play center field. I hear he made the opening day roster too, so now he will have played for every National League Western division team! This image was taken during the first of his two at bats in the first inning - Colorado batted around and scored 6 runs in the first inning, but the D'Backs managed to come back and win the game 13-9. This image was taken at 238mm focal length with an exposure of 1/400 seconds at f/8, ISO 200.

Fielding practice

Orlando Hudson throws a ball to the shortstop while practicing turning double plays on the infield before the game. This image was taken at 300mm focal length with an exposure of 1/500 seconds at f/8, ISO 200.

Pregrame autographs

Before the game, some players stopped along the entryway from their clubhouse to sign autographs for fans - mostly young kids. That's a sure way to make a fan for life. This image was taken at 70mm focal length with an exposure of 1/500 seconds at f/8, ISO 200.

Life around the batting cage

I finally made it out to a spring training game at Tucson Electric Park. The Diamondbacks played the Colorado Rockies. We got to the park about 2 hours early and waited until they opened the gates an hour and a half before game time. The D'Backs were on the field taking battting and fielding practice. The pre-game ritual includes batters taking turns in the batting cage. Here, Chad Tracy enters the batting cage for a turn (around 5 pitches or so) while Scott Hairston (who turned out to be one of the stars of the game with 3 home runs) leaves the cage. Also around the cage a a few other players waiting their turn in the cage and left of the cage, a coach is hitting balls to some infielders taking fielding practice. It's fun to hang around the park and watch, as several fans are doing behind the cage. Beyond the outfield fence, clumps of young kids playing hooky from school hope for a home run ball to land close enough for them to get the ball before one of the other kids. This image was taken at 168mm focal length with an exposure of 1/320 seconds at f/8, ISO 200.