Last week I covered the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park in Milwaukee for a newspaper client in Iowa. Designated hitter Brad Nelson is from their coverage area, and they sent a sports writer to Milwaukee to cover Nelson during the series against the Cincinnati Reds. Nelson made the roster after a hot spring training season, but he only had two at-bats during the Reds series. Not a lot of action at the plate (going 0-for-2 in the series), but he was a pretty easy target during warm-ups and batting practice.
The Brewers went 1-for-3 in the series.
Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks gets the forceout against Cincinnati’s Joey Votto on Tuesday, April 14, 2009, at Miller Park in Milwaukee.
The series was the first time I’ve ever covered a professional sporting event. Despite a few technological hiccups, it was a great learning experience. Here’s more from the series.
The players
Milwaukee first baseman Prince Fielder connects on a pitch against Cincinnati on Monday, April 13, 2009, in Milwaukee.
Brewers shortstop JJ Hardy fields a ground ball against Cincinnati on Monday, April 13, 2009, at Miller Park in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee catcher Jason Kendall is met by teammates after crossing the plate for a score in Monday’s game against Cincinnati at Miller Park in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee right fielder Corey Hart is met in the Brewers dugout by his teammates after hitting a home run in Monday’s game against Cincinnati at Miller Park in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee second baseman Rickie Weeks is hit in the mouth by a pitch in Monday’s game against Cincinnati at Miller Park.
Cincinnati’s Willy Taveras lays down a bunt in Monday’s game against Milwaukee at Miller Park.
Cincinnati first baseman Joey Votto connects on a pitch in Tuesday’s game against Milwaukee at Miller Park.
Milwaukee pitcher Braden Looper reacts after giving up a hit in Wednesday’s game at Miller Park.
Milwaukee pitcher Dave Bush stretches before taking batting practice on Wednesday at Miller Park.
Cincinnati catcher Ramon Hernandez is welcomed back by the Reds dugout after scoring in Wednesday’s game against Milwaukee at Miller Park.
Milwaukee shortstop Craig Counsell connects for a single in Wednesday’s game against Cincinnati at Miller Park.
Cincinnati third baseman Edwin Encarnacion.
Milwaukee designated hitter Brad Nelson.
The fans
Bryon,
these are awesome images. I bet you had the time of your life. I know I was the first time I shot an Arkansas Razorbacks football game, which is basically our professional sports team in Arkansas. i was also that way when I shot the Hogs playing Texas Tech in basketball in Little Rock two years ago when Bobby Knight was getting close to Dean Smith’s record.
and the first professional game I shot was the Lakers, my favorite all-time NBA team, and the Grizzlies in an exhibition game in LR.
What lens combo/camera did you use?
Hey Mark,
It was a pretty cool experience, except I forgot to grab a bratwurst while I was there. I worked with a 40D with a 400 2.8 with a 1.4 extender, 70-200 2.8, and my short range for the wide stuff (none of which I posted here, but will sprinkle in throughout new posts in the future maybe).
My specs for on the field stuff was 1250 iso at 1/800 for Monday’s games. Tuesday and Thursday I worked the third base well, and used 1600 at 1/1000. In the stands it varied. Looking back, I would have used 3200 iso to avoid some of that motion blur.
Thanks for the comment.
Not sure if you notices, but sports illustrated is carrying a pic this week similar to the one you have of rickie weeks here.
What do you think about the 40D? I still love mine but I’m trying to work out a deal for a Mark II. I’d love to get my hands on a 1D series camera but the 40D and 20D (thanks to your help) still do the trick.
Thanks Dan. I’ll definitely have to purchase a copy. It was shot by either Jim Prischling of the AP or Milwaukee Journal Sentinel photographer Benny Sieu. We were all sharing the photo well and each got the shot.
Thanks for the heads-up.
Mark, my 40D works well so far. I wouldn’t mind an extra couple frames per second though.