06/03/2026
"Remember, kid, there's heroes and there's legends. Heroes get remembered, but legends never die. Follow your heart, kid, and you'll never go wrong."
Every once in a while as a photographer, you get to do something truly special. Every once in a while came last night for me. This team gathered for their first practice this season on the 3rd best field in our league, one with weeds, no outhouse, no power for their pitching machine, no seating, no dugouts, no shade... nada.
And they looked around at their same teammates from last year, smiled and hugged and laughed, and then someone said, "Guys!!! We ARE the Sandlot!!" And from there on out, there's been talk. Who's Benny? Who's Yaya? Who's Ham? You're killing me smalls!!" Even as we gathered on the game field to take these photos after the game, someone said, "I wish we were on our field!!"
And that... that is what baseball is about. Next year, they'll split up. Age will have gotten to them. The boys will go to Babe Ruth. The girls will start softball. And the summer of 2026, when winning was the last thing on their mind and the magic was still in the air... That will be behind them. The memories and friendships they've made (and the parents have made, too!), well, I hope they stick with them forever.
So did this shoot pay well? It paid more than any shoot I've ever done, because I feel filthy rich looking at my daughter in these photos. I hope you feel what I feel when I look at them. ❤
