Capturing Moments
February 15, 2016
Over the years I have captured many moments, split seconds of time frozen for all to see, witness to a fraction of a second!
Most of the moments captured bring a smile to the heart, mine and others. The athletes, coach’s, family and friends! Sometimes I also capture moments that show the agony, the pain of a moment! I don’t look for those moments, but sometimes they must be shown, for in that moment there is caring, kindness and hope!
So if the moments captured and shared here bring a smile to your face and heart then I have done a job. If the moment makes you feel concern and makes you hope that it all turned out alright, then I have done a job!
Over the weekend I again witnessed moments of “Victory” and moments of “Agony”, but most of all I witnessed some awesome women making moments on a “Field of Dreams”! Thank you to all those awesome women who made many faces smile!!
Never Give Up!
Concern and caring!
Help from friends
Best care anywhere
Celebrate!
Welcome HOME!
Smiles!
The Line Up is Set!
February 11, 2016
My line up is set! In one day I will again attempt to capture “Kodak Moments on The Field!”
Looking forward to witness the “Heart and Hustle”, the “Passion and Play” that occurs when these talented young athletes step onto the field. Led by some of the “Best in the Business” the season begins in 24 hours and I am excited to capture and be in some small part of the magic that is called Texas State Softball!
I will not make any predictions on the season, but there is something grand going on with this program. New fire has been added to an already on fire program. The fire is in the hearts of the people involved, from the athletes, coach’s, family, fans and supporters of the game. So let those magic moments be seen on a
“Field Where Dreams Become Reality”!
As Blue would say “PLAY BALL!!!” The best to the athletes, coach’s, staff who make the moments happen!
The Field Where Dreams Become Reality!
My Line Up is Set!
I wanna Hit and Throw Like a Girl!!
February 7, 2016
For those that are scratching and hitting your head right now at the title, let me explain, so go get the coffee, ice tea, beer or fill a glass with Crown cause I’m gonna explain it!
Yesterday I got to go to the “Field of Dreams” but this “Field” is different cause “Dreams Become Reality on this Field”! For many years I have been taking photos of the action on this field and the action is awesome. Every February the season starts for Division I, II and III NCAA Softball All across this great land teams get up early in the morning to go practice on a cold field or in a gym or field house somewhere in hopes of getting their team to the Women’s College World Series! They work very hard on catching, hitting and throwing, their journey stated at 6 or 7 years old and even though they are anywhere from 18 to 20 years old when they enter college they have banged around the fields for ten years or more. They throw, bat and catch with such ease that sometimes the only way I know I’m watching a softball game is because of the yellow ball, pony tails and ribbons!!
Yesterday I got to take the field and step in the batter’s box and face a great pitcher, a 2 time Olympian, All-American, strike out wizard , coach, mentor, role model, teacher but most of all fine young lady Miss Catherine “Cat” Osterman. The duel was short lived, only took 4 pitches, the first was low, the next three had me swinging the bat like an old rusty gate, but then again I am old (er) now and most joints are in need of a squirt of WD-40 for better movement! I went down swinging, but that’s the way you suppose to go swinging, if the bat don’t make contact with the ball let them know you where trying and was not about to give up. There’s a Life’s Lesson there too!!
As I stepped away from the batter’s box a young man appeared in my minds eye on a ball field on 96th Street and Second Ave in NYC and he had just faced, Whitey Ford or Tom Seaver or Nolan Ryan. But the man walking away had just faced a great women, an awesome pitcher and tried to take just one pitch out of the yard! If I go to meet God today, I can stand before Him and say Father I batted against Cat! He will come back at me and say I know, son she can throw!!!!
So the reason for this entry, when you think about telling someone they, throw, catch or hit like a girl, take a second before uttering them words cause a big yellow ball may be getting bigger as it nears the target (you)! I wish I could hit and throw like a girl!! I also wish I had enough hair to put in a pony tail too!!!
I know I will be heading to the “Field of Dreams” so I can capture “Dreams Becoming Reality” So if you get a chance, go out to a college ball field and watch them hard work women catch, hit and throw like a girl!!
Thank you Texas State Athletics, Texas State Softball and Cat Osterman for providing the chance to hit like a girl! Thank you to every single one of the fine young ladies I have had the honor of capturing with my lens give their all on “The Field”!!!
Throw Like A Girl
Catch Like a Girl!!
Run Like a Girl!
Hit Like a Girl
A Dream Becomes Real!
Cat, “A Life’s Treasure!”
A day of doubt!
February 4, 2016
Some days we face self doubt, most days we don’t and that’s the way it should be! For them days when self doubt comes about and I think I make no difference I get reminded in a very subtle way!
When I think that what I’m doing has no effect, I get reminded by two four legged creatures that I do matter! When I reach this house and Mister Red stands at the gate to the back yard, tail held high and wagging at a 100mpg I am reminded that someone missed my presence, when I walk in the door to the house I get a second reminder by Mister Cruiser who in that subtle way of his that he too missed me, the head butt against my leg, the tail wrap around my calf and for good measure a meow or two! I come in the house to shed the uniform and reflect on the rights and wrongs of the work day, Mister Cruiser comes back in and meows until I follow him outside to take part in the sunshine and peace of the afternoon, Mister Red comes and sits nearby I think to let me know it’s all good, no worries and to lean on me and remind me that I am needed by him and his brother from a different mother (Cruiser).
So when I think that I don’t make a difference in someone’s day I get reminded in the simplest of ways that “Unconditional Love” still exists and in the purest form!
There are moments in ones life that show you make a difference they comes in a smile, a wave or by the simplest of gestures! Last year during senior day at Texas State on of the departing seniors handed me a rose from her bouquet to say thanks for all the photos I took of her during her career on the field. To this day when I look at that rose now dried and fragile I am reminded that a difference was made and a tear of joy wells up in the corner of my eye!
Thank You Courtney
So I guess the moral here is that we all make a positive impact on someone’s life, don’t stop caring and giving from the heart! (I heard my own words!!!)
Mister Red putting the lean on me! Feb 4th 2016
A new month is at hand
February 1, 2016
The second month of 2016 is on us! This first day has been busy as far as the job goes, which is good as the day moves along fast! I look forward to this month as the season begins for Bobcat Softball! The month also brings Valentine’s Day and a chance to make lady feel special. I have not decided which lady will be honored this Valentine’s Day, but is my wish that she smiles and keeps a fond memory of the day!
Most of all I look forward to going to the “Field where Dreams Come True!
I hope that this month bring many dreams into reality!!
Preparations are Underway!
January 30, 2016
Today was a beautiful day, the skies are blue with wispy clouds here and there, the temperatures in the low 70’s. Crazy weather but I’m in South Texas, tomorrow could be cold and windy or a repeat of today. I hope for a repeat of today!
The fur people spent most of the day basking in the sun and doing what brothers do! I spent the day working on my game plan for the upcoming softball season. Checking camera, lens and auxiliary gear that may be called upon during a game. I have an idea to set up a remote camera near home plate and trigger it when a play happens at the plate. Trying to come up with a way to propose this idea to the university is where I stand at the moment, also a need to check on NCAA rules regarding such an endeavor. I hope to bring my photography to a new level. Keeping fingers crossed that this dream can become a reality!
As each day fades away and brings the season closer I find a new level of excitement within the heart! I look forward to again meet old friends, possibly make new friends, but mostly preserve a moment in time on the field!
My rant for today has come to a close and I hope to see more words shared as well as images very soon!
Softball and Texas State
January 29, 2016
For close to ten years (starting in 2007) I have been capturing moments on the field of the Texas State Softball team. What started out as a one time visit to shoot some women’s sports and get back into sport photography has become one of the highlights of “LIFE” for me!
From my first visit to the field which has changed for the better over the years, to the field that stands today where “Dreams become Reality” I have been witness to many awesome moments and some sad moments, but the awesome outnumbers the sad ten fold and then some.
What keeps me coming back is smiles, hustle, heart and the chance to capture them for the athletes, coaches, parents and the University. I have spent countless funds to be ready for them moments and to be able to capture them and share them with all concerned and to have them stand memory for the athletes, parents and coaches for many years to come. I hope that one day they look back on an image and tell their children, “yes that’s me!”
Along this journey (which is still in progress) I have met some wonderful people, the players on the field and the coaches along the lines that bring the game all together for our enjoyment. The sports information staff, the grounds crew and students all bring a smile with them!
My payment for times spent attempting to be in the right place at the right time and to trip the shutter at the right moment is all the smiles, the likes for the images shared, but it’s mainly the smiles and occasionally a t-shirt or cap (my collection still growing). I try not to ask much other than to capture those dreams becoming reality and for the smile and always kind word! There maybe some other driving force for me to come back, but at this time I can not find the words to describe them!
I thank all the athletes for their heart, hustle and smiles. I thank the parents of the athletes for bringing me into the Bobcat family. I thank the staff, Ricci, Peejay, Amber, Denise, Cat, Kelly, Bobby and Jen for allowing me to capture and share those images, but most especially for the smiles and allowing me into the family!
The season starts on Feb 12th and I look so forward to being their and watching them “Dreams become Reality on The Field!” Enjoy some of the moments from the past and be ready to see the moments from the future.
The Old Scoreboard
The current entrance to the field
The New Scoreboard
The old entrance to the field
2007
2015
2007 Leah Boatright
2015 Kendall Wiley
The First Week of 2016
January 9, 2016
Jan 1, walking the Red Dog on the Riverwalk
Jan 2, a long cold and wet day!
Jan 3, Goodbye 2015 from Crusier
Jan 4, No entry said the old fence
Jan 5, Good morning San Antonio
Jan 6, Leading the way
Jan 7, Clear direction on a foggy day
Jan 8, “I can Fly!”
Looking into my eyes!!
Well the first week of 2016 has made into the books! A week of early days, getting up a 2AM so I can be on the streets at 4AM, there was a good point out of it I was home early. I began a photography project that has been in the back of my mind for many years, “My365Project”! One photo everyday In 2016. Keep your fingers crossed that I always find an image each and every day.
A visit to the eye surgeon and a great report this week made my day, after two solid years, three eye surgeries, pain, fear and being scared that I may not be able to see the beauty and sorrow that life has to offer. I got a good report from the doctor that it is looking good inside and I’ve healed up nicely. He wants to see me in six months because it all looks good! A relief, a moment to smile and a moment to share!! Thank You Dear God for walking me through this time!!!
On the JOB is still the same, but I deal with it in a different way now, and I also hope to continue to make this a way to go in 2016!
I look forward to this year, I want this year to be the year of “The Photograph”! Sharing images with you, capturing moments on the Field Where Dreams Come True, the ladies of Texas State Softball, season starts next month and I am so psyched to see them on the field and capture moments for the players, coaches and parents.
So the first week is in the books and we got 51 more to go. Looking to make this a better year than last and bringing more images for your viewing pleasure!
Thank You God for getting me this far, looking forward to the journey ahead!
Jan 2nd 2016 The Attitude
January 3, 2016
A long cold and wet day was completed and in the books! My body is sore and still cold, but I survived again and will survive even more. Many fine folks were met during the day and a few smiles where set during the day. This is a promise I want to complete this year, to share a smile with someone each day, to make a smile in me! Success for the long cold and wet day!!
The bones are drying out and the warmth is coming back into feet’s and hands this morning and that is a blessing! Time to make someone smile and bring a bit more light into the day! Have a good day to those that gaze at these words and image
It’s Cold and Wet Outside! Do I have to GO! Yes you must, It’s The Right Thing to DO!!
2016 A New Year, A New Journey Begins!
January 1, 2016
Happy New Year!!!
2016 has arrived 2015 is in the history books, some bad times in the last year, but mostly good times in the past year! Can’t change what’s written but sure can write a new and better story for the new year!
2016 is to be my year of the photograph, a passion of mine since my early years (a long time ago)! So I am looking forward to 2016 for this reason and others. A reconnection with family at the end of 2015 brought a very big smile to my face and heart! Making my heart smile and bringing a smile to someone is also on the books for this new year! Looking forward to a chance to make different journeys, meet new faces, see new places and revisit old places and faces and do all that good, foolish stuff in between!
My wish for all my family, friends and others that read the words on this screen, the best to you in 2016, with many smiles that reach into your heart and soul, that make your days bright!
Come back and see where this journey takes me and you along the road 2016!! Pete
May 2016 be bright always and bring many smiles your way!!
South Texas Shooters (Photography That Is!) 