Baseball season is finally in bloom.
Fans of all ages are gathering to take part in what has become known as America's favorite pastime. Whether playing the game or just watching, it is a sport like no other.
Just holding a baseball in one's hand brings back memories and creates a sort of magic that is unique to each individual. It is amazing that a baseball in the hand can never be still. Feeling the smooth hide automatically causes the fingers to twirl it around.
Then there is the toss in the air, catch and smile, bringing a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment in catching the stitched-rawhide ball. So it is no wonder that Pittsburgh Pirate infielder Chase d'Arnaud was captured in this very process recently during a spring training practice at Pirate City in Bradenton. And being a “professional” he is able to toss two baseballs at once.
The moment captured also brings to mind one of the classic utterances barked to young players by tough weather-worn coaches from the beginning of time, baseball's No. 1 rule... 'Keep your eye on the ball!' or in this case, both of them.
And there will not be a shortage of balls to watch. Pat Hagerty, minor league equipment manager at Pirate City, ordered 10,800 baseballs for use during the Pirate's month-long spring training season. So "Play ball!"
-Grant Jefferies
Grant Jefferies, a native of Palmetto and chief photographer at the Bradenton Herald, has been capturing moments in the lives of Manatee County residents for over 25 years. Images from the streets of Cuba and Haiti to the clay fields of the Little League World Series and beyond have been captured through the lenses of Jefferies' cameras. Jefferies can be found on his sailboat when his feet are not on land.
Tiffany Tompkins-Condie is in her 13th year as a photojournalist at the Bradenton Herald. Through the years she has covered crimes and carnivals; feasts and floods. Her postings will vary from events in Manatee County's back yard to the work of photojournalists covering the stories of our times from around the world. 
Paul Videla has been a staff photographer with the Bradenton Herald since 2002, when he made the move from Detroit, Mich. When he's not working,
he enjoys hunting for unique LPs at the area's plethora of thrift stores and continually works to improve his baking chops(as the records spin and his dog waits for handouts).
No comments:
Post a Comment