Baseball & softball

Most of the action takes place at known points-the bases and the batter’s box-but distances are great, and a 300mm or 400mm telephoto is usually necessary. Flood-lit games at night are common, and call for high-speed film and ideally, a wide-maximum aperture. One of the classic baseball shots is of a player sliding into a base in a cloud of dust. This is best caught with a ground-level position. Pre-focusing on the base may help.

Position A
Want a slide into second or a close-up of a left-handed batter swinging? Try shooting from behind third base coach’s box or beside one of the dugouts with a 200mm to 300mm lens.

Position B
Want a shot of the pitcher as the ball is just being released or a distorted foreground view through the backstop fence or netting? Try a relatively short lens from behind the batter/umpire.

Position C
Want some crowd shots or photos of players in the dugout or in the batter’s circles? Try a short lens from this position. Be very careful of foul balls, however, from this area.

Position D
Want a good shot of the second baseman or the shortstop making a relay to first base? This angle will give you that as well as some close outfield plays.