What A 2-10 Season Will Do To You

The Air Force football team had the worst year in the Academy's history finishing 2-10 (one of those being a win over D-1 AA 4-8 Colgate team and the other over a 3-8 Army squad). And when you shoot a team getting blown out every other week you get kind of bored and look for something different, like these shots though the parabolic microphones that block my view from the sidelines:

The green is relaxing.
Thank you to CBS Sports Network for the chill effect

ESPN U had the amber going and it would kind of
angry up the blood, but did offer up a decent effect.

Even if nothing good is going on in the pic
it still looks pretty cool.

The team never quit. They played hard, but were just over matched and/or out coached in those 10 losses. I've been shooting Air Force for the last 3 years and I've just had the feeling that they don't know how to win (or know what to do with a lead). In games where they were the better team, were dominating early (like Michigan & Navy in 2012 and Nevada & San Diego State this year), something just didn't click and the team just fell apart and lost the game. This year you can blame the young age of the team, but last year? Not so much. Hopefully 2014 will bring better luck to the Falcons.

Sweet Double Play Pic!

The last picture of what would have been a sweet series
with Drew Garcia turning the double play over Sacramento's
Anthony Aliotti. Someone, or something, got in my way.

Okay. Maybe not. Stupid umps. Always ruining my shots.

So anywho...here's a cat lady that was at last night's game:

This was my dream...
this is my nightmare.

What do you say Intern Dan?

Red shirt? Space condo? Space phone?
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Dammit! They got to you too! Be gone! Away now! Back to Jersey with your own nerd-self! (though I did hear you kind of like that "cat thang" she had going on. Good for you if that's what you're into. Now, still be gone! You sick bastard!)

Manny-Apocalypse

What's happening in

Well, Saturday was Todd Helton bobblehead night!

I've always had the feeling Todd didn't like me...hmmm?

People love them bobbleheads! There is one already on eBay starting at $29.99, or buy it now for just $59.99 w/ free shipping! Wow! That's almost as cool as this thing (or not):

The horror! The horror!

It's got to be the legs, or the transition of the legs to the tomato body, or the lack of pants that push it over the normal, creepy mascot vibe into the 'get the hell away from me' mascot vibe. Let's just chalk this one up in the 'I Do Not Like That Thing' category okay? 

Hernan Iribarren makes a fine running catch
in front of the Sky Sox bullpen.
Kennil Gomez, standing, shows his appreciation.

Onto the game. Cats crushed the Sox 10-2. Cats always crush the Sox. The RiverCats are a damn good baseball team. And Manny Ramirez was a 40 year old Manny Ramirez. Going 1 for 6 with a weak single to rightfield.

Manny singles to right even while playing with a cat trapped under his helmet.

Manny watches one of his 'foul' balls.

Just when I think I get my shot of the season (see the Why I shoot Post) I stumble on a better one the very next day...

The Zombie Manny-Apocalypse is upon us!

Why I Shoot

Moment like this are why I shoot:

Sky Sox shortstop Tommy Fields turns two
despite the slide of Sacramento's Brandon Hicks
and the distraction of 2nd baseman Hernan Iribarren
kung-fu-ing himself into the play.

You work into position. Then you wait. And wait. And wait. Most of the time you get squat, or pictures of bullpen shenanigans...

The Sacramento RiverCat bullpen doing a lot of sitting around and stuff.

...or pictures of Manny Ramirez doing stuff...

Double-Dutch. Man-Ram style!

...but sometimes your preparation and work pay off. You have the perfect light, the right play and an awesome shot (see above). This is why I shoot.

Sky Sox 3rd baseman Brandon Wood takes a poop on the field.

Speaking of squat, you mostly get this. Mostly. 

 

The Perfect Shots!

Sports photography is all about being in the right place at the right time and being prepared for the shot. Well, well, well. If that is the case PengoSports just nailed these two!

Pretty sweet! It's all in the reflexes.

Well, this is a bit awkward. Is it Prostate Awareness Month?
(Number blurred to protect the innocent)