Here are a couple of shots from my first weekend shooting football this year.

 

We shot many games this summer, read this post to see them all.

Summer is finally here. For me summer doesn't start with the vernal equinox. Not Memorial Day. Not the Fourth of July or 80 degree temperatures. For me, Summer starts with my first Little League summer game. Not summer, I'm talking about Summer — with a capital S. As in Summer Baseball.

Fairfield American's Connor Lynch in game against Trumbull American

More game pictures www.slevino.com/Sports/baseball-little-league/20110705-Fairfield-American-at/17909144_kpmQgX

Last night, with a brilliant sun behind me and a cloudless blue sky above, I shot a Little League District game between Fairfield American and Trumbull American. This is not just Little Leauge baseball, this is All Stars. The difference between these games and the regular season games is huge. These 12 year olds have worked their entire baseball careers (wink) to get here. They are playing because they love the game. And on these summer days they live only for baseball. They work hard on practice days and they come to the field on game day ready to play hard. They play with meaning and they mean to win.

Last night's game was pool play and featured two teams with 4-0 records. Shoulda been a good game. It started out like a good game. Unfortunately, it didn't hold up that way and ended as a rout. But I loved it nonetheless. Why? Because it is 12 year old baseball, and in their mind (and mine) there is nothing better.

The District Teams play far fewer than the Travel (or Tournament) Teams which may play as many as 25 games. The families caravan together. They share food and good spirits (often in red cups) in the...

Picture Day for Fairfield American Little League is postponed until Saturday, June 18, 2011.

Opening Day for the 2011 Fairfield American Little League was held on Sunday 5/1. There were kids galore, balloons, salutes to the flag. After an introduction of the leagues and teams the league's three 2010 championship teams were honored. After Mr. Flatto's first pitch it was time to "Play Ball!"

Lots more pictures in the slideshow

Half rain, half fog, the blowing air was so moist that had it rained it would have felt drier. At times seeing the other side of the field was difficult and on several occasions I saw a player raise his hands indicating he lost the ball in the haze/lights.

Lots more photos in the gallery: http://www.slevino.com/Sports/Lacrosse/FLHS-20110427-New-Canaan-at/16847884_58fg5C
 

Freshman face off during the Trumbull Eagles at Ludlowe Falcons lacrosse game. Click the link above to see the rest of the images in the gallery.

Crosstown rivalries are great unless you can't root for either team. I grew up in Fairfield and graduated from Warde back before the merger and divestiture that resulted in Fairfield Warde and Fairfield Ludlowe. But my sons make us a Ludlowe family now. So, when I shoot one of these games I want a great contest, a pitching duel with titanic homeruns and brilliant defense, that ends with both teams able to hold their heads high. Last night? Not so much. It wasn't that there weren't good plays its just that they didn't mean anything.

Ludlowe's Tyler Bulkley applies the tag as Warde's Dario Pugliano is caught stealing early in the game. Warde went on to win 14-6

The final score was 14-6 (Warde won) but in reality it was never that close.

Check back in a day or so because I'll be loading lots more pictures from the game are now online: www.slevino.com/Sports/baseball/FLHS-20110421-Fairfield-Warde/16734764_8shBHk.

It was a cold day to start with, especially for April, and I could feel the wind blowing off the sound making it feel 20 degrees colder. The referees didn't seem to notice, dressed as they were in shorts. Nor did the kids.

But winning does that, doesn't it?

Many more games shots are available: 

http://www.slevino.com/Sports/Lacrosse/20110416-Marmaroneck-at/16647403_nWZQJW

 

 

One of my favorite things to shoot is Trumbull High School's spring musical. This year they are performing Fiddler on the Roof int their magnificent new theater.

In a word, WOW!

With appologies to Tevye, to perform in the old theater was no sin, but it was no great honor, either. The sound is so much better that the musicians and the performers actually complement each other. Everything about the performance makes it hard to believe these are just a bunch of high school students -- but they are!

Last night was the final dress rehearsal and a free performance for senior citizens and the consensus of the patrons was that the kids nailed it, and I agree. I don't know what muse the lead (a high school senior) calls on to become a tired, 50 year old peasant, but he was spot-on. Here is Tevye, explaining the traditions of Anatevka.



And, here is a shot from the wedding scene



 

The show runs tonight at 7:30, Friday and Saturday at 8 and Sunday at 2. Tickets are available on their website http://trumbullhighmusicals.com/ and at the door.

More pictures as soon as I can get them processed. Photos from the First Act are online at http://www.slevino.com/Theater/THS-2011-Fiddler-on-the-Roof/16326293_WYDcV.

If you want to know when the rest are online, shoot me an email at support@shelbylevino.com and I'll get back to you with the URL.

 

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