Collision Course

“You know that just made me realize how much luck plays into what you guys do,” Justin Rice, assistant sports editor for The Free Lance-Star.

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity,” Seneca, 1^st century Roman philosopher.

What Rice was referring to was the above photo that I took during the fourth inning of a softball game between Mountain View and Stafford High School. Mountain View’s Sabrina Hill charged down the third baseline and collided hard with Stafford catcher Ashley Chenoweth. Hill scored the run. Chenoweth was knocked out of the game.

For the first three innings of the game, I shot from my on-the-field position near third base. At the start of the fourth, I moved to the outside of the fence behind home to get head on views of the starting pitchers.

Had the collision happened in any other inning, I would not have had that vantage point. From the third base position I might have gotten a shot, but not one that showed both player’s faces at the moment of impact.

From the first base position that I later worked from, I would have missed it because my view would have been blocked entirely.

And that’s where it all came together. I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. The opportunity unfolded before me. And I was prepared to capture it.

American Sportsman

As the month of May comes to a close, I realized that I have spent a lot of it shooting sports.

For the first couple of weeks, I filled in on the night shift while Free Lance-Star Photographer Peter Cihelka traveled to Haiti along with reporter Amy Umble to document the work of area locals helping with the earthquake recovery.

I’ve been hit or miss in my sports photography. And to be honest, I feel like I’ve mostly missed. Reflecting on it, I think I just had bad habits like relying more on the technology and less on my instinct to help me make a photo.

Part of it I realize is being an editor. Since I’m not shooting day in and day out, I’ve often felt like the seldom used player who’s always a little rusty whenever he’s called off of the bench. I guess that’s one positive of DMWL (doing more with less). I’m shooting more than I ever have.

Covering these games the past few weeks, I find that I am more patient and much less trigger happy. I’m settling into the game with a more focused attention which enables me to better anticipate the plays. Although, I’m still finding soccer to be a royal pain in the a**.

(All photos © of The Free Lance-Star)

Catcher Thomas Ruane celebrates with pitcher Travis Frum after Chancellor's come from behind victory over visiting Spotsylvania on Tuesday, May 4, 2010 (Dave Ellis / The Free Lance-Star)