The Church of Baseball, a photo from Massachusetts, Northeast

Photographer's Note

Just a momentary break from my Tennessee shots. Today is April Fools Day, and I see a few people have uploaded some funnier shots in its honor, but today's also another important holiday, at least here in the States: it is Opening Day for Major League Baseball, which is a sure sign that spring has arrived! My local team, the Boston Red Sox, rang in the start of the year with a win over their hated rivals the New York Yankees, and all is right with the world.

This shot was taken last summer at a minor league ballpark in Lowell, MA, just up the road from Boston. The team is the Lowell Spinners, a reference to Lowell's past as the US's first major textile city. Here, as the game is about to start, a Spinners outfielder takes a quiet moment to pray before the game.

The title comes from the fantastic 'Bull Durham', my personal selection for the greatest baseball movie ever made.

Happy Opening Day, everyone!

worldcitizen, jhm, macjake, ChrisJ has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

worldcitizen (15960) 2013-04-01 15:07

A Happy Opening Day to you, Andrew!

Since I'm a Mets fan, I won't be too upset about the Yankees/Red Sox game. ;-) Nice, colorful view of this minor league stadium. I like the line of advertisements that rings the outfield. The colors are bright and strong, and the kneeling player is a nice touch.

Here's to a fun and successful season!!

fabbs99 (17179) 2013-04-01 22:04

Hello Andrew,

Excellent frame with nice sharpness.
Great colors and resolution.
Very well done.

Cheers
Farhat

jhm (211734) 2013-04-02 4:07

Hello Andrew,

As everywhere see we a lot advertisement, this is the survive of a lot clubs. Perfect layout and perfect light management.
Excellent picture, nice colours and sharpness.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John

No_One (4) 2013-04-02 4:07

Hi Andrew,
Great idea for the framing of the shot, that expansive blue sky is another fine sign of the beginning of the good weather. The position of the player on the right ties in well with your title too, he does look he is bowing before the almighty baseball!
All the best
Noel

macjake (98262) 2013-04-02 4:19

Hi Andrew
haha...yes, i was actually watching that game.
my favorite team is Washington....and not because they were good last year, i'm not a band wagon fan....i've been a fan of Washington for over 20 years when they were the Montreal Expos. I went to several montreal games when i lived in Ottawa.
seeing Fenway park is still one of my 'bucket list' of things to do.
Is it true what i've heard....there are some seats in Fenway that have blocked views from the pillars? do you know what I mean? I would HATE if i bought a ticket and its one thats near one of those large pillars!

great shot here, the ball player on his knees in the large open space.

Personally, i like Bull Durham too. But "Cobb" was a great baseball movie aswell.

cheers
craig

jcpix (14030) 2013-04-02 10:23

Hi Andrew,

You were doing so very well, why did you have to spoil it with a note about yesterday's opener? :) I'm a lifelong, bleed pinstripes Yankee fan...so my perspective is going to be a bit different! ha I love baseball and have been waiting impatiently for the season to start, so this is a very welcome photo. A great one too, the vast expanse of the outfield with the solitary player kneeling, as if awaiting for the "Play Ball!" is a wonderful effect and moment captured. Very colorful as well with the advertisements along the wall, spanning the entire frame. Great composition and a fitting way to kick off the year. Thanks for sharing. I'm sorry I can't wish your team the best of luck...in fact, last years results would make for a nice carbon copy this season! Have a great day.

All the best,

Jason

ChrisJ (171280) 2013-04-02 23:15

Hi Andrew

Well composed with the 2 light towers both well positioned approximately on the 1/3 axis at left and right. Also good framing on the towers and the horizon line is well away from the center. The solitary baseball player at right makes a good focal point. Excellent sharpness and the bg billboards add a welcome splash of color. Tfs!

kasianowak (17672) 2013-04-11 5:14

I really like this - the colours, the composition and the sense of scale created by the introduction of a human figure into the picture.
Have a nice day
Kasia

Miguel82 (47110) 2013-04-14 6:37

Acl,
Nice view of this stadium and especially the different sponsors of the baseball teams
Superb colors, clear shot
Have a good sunday