Thoughts on Shots

The kick is up and it's ... football season

Sat, 17 Sep 2011 15:06:00 GMT

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

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Summer Baseball

Sat, 17 Sep 2011 14:46:00 GMT

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

Finally, Summer.

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 14:02:00 GMT

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 bleachers. Younger siblings make signs and paint their faces. They wear team gear, buttons with the player's pictures and they cheer together. They get to sleep a little late because of a night game. They eat a steady stream of hot dogs and take out food because the dinner hours are spent either on a ballfield or on the way to or from a ballfield.

They play with everything they have today, and can't wait to do it again tomorrow. The structure of the school year is put on hold and life gets a little looser. They're either pulling their dirty uniform pants out of the wash or looking for their other cleat, rushing to get to practice on time. And heaven help the caravan if they are on a winning streak. Someone, somewhere once thought it wise not to mess with karma during a winning streak. I'll bet it was a bright kid who thought of it as a way to get out of doing the laundry once. The winning streak continued and today that fine tradition lives on as a tough decision for the caravan: do they roll down the windows for the fresh (un-air-conditioned) air or risk arriving at the field a little woozy from the intoxicating aroma resulting from combining summer heat, boys and dirty uniforms.

Over the course of their six week (or, they all hope, longer) summer season the togetherness forges deep and lasting friendships. They tell inside jokes that they will still laugh about years later. They share equipment, food, sunflower seeds, gum, drinks, whatever, without being asked.

They put so much pressure on themselves that an error or a strikeout can bring tears of disappointment. So happy after a clutch single or big defensive play that they literally hop up and down with unconstrained excitement. Those highs and lows typically last only until they get to the snack bar after the game and their teammates either pick them up or knock them down a peg or two (depending on what's needed). Then they return, once again, to being 12.

They live, breathe, eat, win and lose together. They are a family.

This is baseball that matters. Not professionals. Not college kids playing to prove they have what it takes to be a pro. Not even high school kids hoping for a ticket to college. These kids are playing for love of the game. God bless 'em, they don't know any better.

But chances are that baseball will never be better than it is right now.

That is why I shoot, and love shooting, Little League Baseball.

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Picture Day 2011

Sat, 28 May 2011 01:39:00 GMT

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

Fairfield American Little League Opening Day

Sat, 07 May 2011 13:51:00 GMT

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

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LAXers play through heavy fog, mist and rain

Sun, 01 May 2011 11:03:00 GMT

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

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Freshman Lacrosse: Trumbull at Fairfield

Sun, 24 Apr 2011 15:16:00 GMT

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.

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Warde and Ludlowe baseball battle at Harbor Yard

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 12:13:00 GMT

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.

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Re-LAX-ing

Sun, 17 Apr 2011 16:05:00 GMT

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

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Fiddler on the Roof

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:18:00 GMT

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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