I'm proud to announce that my team, The Kens, won this year's company softball game, continuing my undefeated streak! Mia is seen above displaying our score board. As you can see, it was a close game. We were actually down by two runs going into the eighth inning, rallied and took the lead by two, then added an additional five runs in the top of the ninth inning.
I wasn't at my best in the field this year. I bobbled more hits that day then I think I have in all the previous company games combined. I also had two bad throws, which never happens. I went 3 for 4 at bat though, so it made up for it. By the bottom of the ninth inning, I realized that I was overthrowing and relaxed. It felt pretty good to get the last out of the game.
I apologize for not having more pictures, but I was pretty focused on the game. As always, I got everyone together for a group shot at the end.
Thanks for a great game and a good time, everyone! I'll be ready for a rematch in about a year!
Hersam Acorn Newspapers company softball game 2008
I've never lost a company softball game, including the year that the picture was taken. We picked names out of a hat and the teams were so lopsided, they actually considered redrafting. I said, no, it's fun being the underdog. Within the first couple of innings, my team was down by 16 runs, which lulled the other team into a false sense of security. We picked away at the lead and went up by one run in the top of the 7th. When the pop fly for the final out of the game was caught, I threw my glove into the air as though my team had just won the gold medal. I've played a lot of softball in my life, and no victory had been that exciting.
I had to sit out the next year because of my knee injury, but with a steady routine of rehab and training, I was back the following year, 9 months after ACL reconstruction. Although hesitant in the field, my first at bat was a two run homerun. Nothing in my life had ever felt so good as it did when I sprinted around the bases, pain free. My knee ballooned to the size of a volleyball the next day, no worries, just overuse, but it was absolutely worth it. Last year, there was minimal swelling and I felt great in the field. I even made a diving catch down the third base line to rob one of the owners of the company a hit.
Ever since my knee injury, I look forward to the game. I like to joke that I spent $50,000 to fix my knee for this game alone. This year, I'm team captain and I look forward to keeping the winning streak alive.
There will be more in the next couple weeks about the knee surgery, so if you've stumbled across this post because you want to know more about ACL recovery, make sure you come back!
For those of you that follow this blog, you know I have a signature shot for concerts. I like to take a picture of the performer's shoes. I also have a signature shot for sports.
I somehow manage to get a picture of just the ball. I don't plan for this to happen, it just does. When you think about how everyone is constantly hustling to try to get the ball, you grasp how utterly impressive this is.
Tonight, I will be doing my annual shoot for Masuk High School Boys Basketball. I've been covering this for the past five years and it's one of my favorite shoots of the year. One of the first times I realized I wanted to be a photographer was after seeing the Cleveland Cavaliers upset the New Jersey Nets in the final seconds of the game. I tried to take pictures with a 35mm point and shoot Kodak film camera. If those pictures weren't tucked away in the crawl space, I'd have scanned one for this post. They're HORRIBLE, yet I love them. Shooting sports is always a fun challenge for me: timing, position, proper lens selection. It's thinking on the fly and it's exhilarating. And it always feels cool to be standing on the court with my press pass.
Then what's with the title of this post? I got the call to cover the game tonight early on in the month and agreed to it. At the time, there was nothing going on. About two weeks after I made the commitment, I found out about this.
ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRG!!!!! (is the edited version of what went through my mind)
Another amazing photo exhibit that is all but screaming, "Audra! Come see me!" 120dB. The level of sound intensity at every concert. The level of passion and perseverance echoed back by every one of these photographers. The sheer level of artistic energy and audience engagement that resonates loud and clear in their each and every shot.
For those of you that follow this blog, you'll remember my post on 12 New Things. If you forgot, check out number four on that list. Yes, several of the photographers at this exhibit are ones that I want to contact. More than likely, many of them will be at the opening tonight. And I am stuck in Connecticut, shooting basketball.
But that's not how I'm letting myself think about tonight. I'm fortunate enough to be covering something I love, and getting paid to do it no less! I have a great relationship with this client and I look forward to working with them in the future. Although this event seems like a great networking opportunity, it's not the right one for me. Not at this time. My website is close, but it's not complete yet. I refuse to rush that and put out a product I'm not proud of, and I don't want to pitch myself as a concert photographer when my work isn't properly displayed, i.e. my current website. There will be other opportunities for me to reach out.
Just in case you were wondering who my favorite basketball player was, it's a tie between Mark Price and Craig Ehlo. Mark Price you might have heard of, highest all time free throw percentage in the NBA and two time 3 point contest winner. One of the purest shooters ever to play in the NBA and was my ACL recovery inspiration. (Price also had a complete ACL rupture in his left knee.) I bet you know who Craig Ehlo is, even though you think you don't. Ever hear of The Shot?
Effing Michael Jordan, but talk about drama! That's when basketball was good, my friends. Ehlo was one of the most under appreciated, yet hardest working players I've ever seen. And this link made me remember what a fantastic human being he is.
Sorry about the basketball geek out. I bet you weren't expecting that!
In closing, I'm covering a basketball game tonight. And for a girl that dreamed of doing exactly that when she was 11, I can't tell you how happy and proud I am.
