The PITCH

© Michelle Alton

The PITCH

Uploaded: May 23, 2014 | Entered: May 23, 2014 14:40:07

Description

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Yesterday Bill and I shot our first News/Sports event in many months (It's been very slow for Philadelphia news freelancers).
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It was a girls' softball championship, beginning at 4 pm. Heavy thunderstorm warnings were in effect, and I was expecting a drenching.
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The team's long-time coach had died suddenly just before the season began, and as his widow told me when I photographed her, "He coached the team all season from 'somewhere' else."
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The team in red won easily 5-0 and at the moment of the third out in the ninth inning, there was a HUGE thunderclap, after which the sky opened and I was drenched to the skin.
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Does anyone else think that the pitching form in girls' softball is very, VERY weird and unnatural?
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Exif: F Number: 5.6, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/400 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 1000, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 249.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Comments

Carol Quina level-classic May 23, 2014

Nice action capture! You can really see her intensity! #1573990

David Phalen May 23, 2014

Terrific capture Michelle!! It may look unnatural but I do know they can really fire a softball with that motion. #11050929

Carol L. Fowler May 23, 2014

Great shot! And I love the hair bow!! #11050954

Renata Gusciora May 23, 2014

Totally terrific action shot,Michelle!Fantastic timing!She surely looks like a strongwoman!:-) #11050989

Jeffrey R. Bange May 23, 2014

Outstanding stop action capture Michelle, love the green bow and facial expression. Hope you have a great Memorial Day weekend. #11051036

Guy D. Biechele level-classic May 23, 2014

Great timing! Love it! #11051077

Susan D. Royce level-classic May 24, 2014

She is so intense! Great capture, Michelle. #11051157

Monnie Ryan May 24, 2014

You caught the action perfectly! I suspect it looks unnatural because we're so totally used to seeing the way guys pitch. #11051198

Michelle Alton May 24, 2014

Note: If you have never watched girls' softball, when they WIND UP they TRULY wind up. With her throwing arm rigid, and legs rigid, as you see in this photo, they spin the arm like a pinwheel VERY fast, several times and then finally release the ball at the appropriate position (as you see in this photo). I don't know how that arm survives a season! #11051201

Emile Abbott level-deluxe May 24, 2014

Great action capture. That style of throw get a very fast ball. My sister used to play women's softball. #11051291

John Connolly May 24, 2014

You captured the moment beautifully Michelle! What a great action shot, Michelle! #11051623

Teresa Burnett level-classic May 26, 2014

Perfect timing, Michelle!! Great action shot!! And yes, I agree with you about the form being weird and not a bit natural!! My neice played, and did pitch. I was always amazed her arm wasn't always sore!! #11052919

Ujjwal Mukherjee May 29, 2014

What a great action capture,Michelle!! #11054752

Deborah C. Lewinson level-addict May 29, 2014

Love her determined look!

Excellent image, Michelle, and a fave!
Debby #11055094

Reynaldo D. Reyes level-classic June 03, 2014

Amazing capture, love the intensity of expression, sense of movement on the arm and the reaction from the audience. A favorite and a vote for a win! #11059454

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