When I first started my adventure at Greene Publishing, Inc, the newspaper for which I write in Madison, Fla., I did not consider myself much of a photographer. I was one who could go on vacation and take very few pictures at all. I'm still not one to take a lot of pictures while on vacation, and I'm certainly not one for taking a lot of “selfies.” But I can say that over the five or so years that I've been on this adventure, I have become very interested in capturing that “perfect” photo, especially at sporting events. It doesn't matter which sport I'm covering, football, basketball, baseball, marbles or anything else, I strive to capture that “wow” moment. Sometimes I get lucky and get the photo of the running back leaping over an opponent as he scores the game-winning touchdown. Or I'll get the perfectly framed picture of the basketball player jamming the ball through the hoop in a “slam dunk.” I've even been known to catch the split-second when a softball makes contact with a bat on its way out of the park. Then, there are those times when I think I am in position to get that “perfect action shot” and an umpire plants himself right in front of me. So, do I capture that moment when the winning score slides home in an explosion of red dust? Nope. I capture a perfectly framed image of an umpire's sweaty derriere.
I'm not complaining about umpires. They have a difficult job and I do appreciate all they do in providing a valuable educational service to school sports competition. Every opportunity I have, I make sure to thank them for everything they do. I honestly believe they do it for the love of the game and for the love of young people. However, there are times when I am tempted to remind them that they do, indeed, make a better “door” than they do a “window.”
