Day 213: Two To One

(Nikon D60, 18-55 VR @ 18mm, f/3.5, 1/2500, ISO 400)

Day 2 of the Formosan Cup.  Two recreational teams start, but at the end of the day only a three-pitch team remains.  Read on... after the break.

Day started off a little better.  I woke up on time... albeit with only two hours of sleep.  The jaw-dropping awesomeness of the previous day kept me awake until around 4 AM.  Well, okay I was downloading cards and charging batteries too.  Got up at 6:30, left the house by 8:00 AM.  Made it to the park by 8:30ish AM in time for Nex Gen's game.  They were slated to play the same folks as last night, but that didn't exactly mean it was supposed to be a walk in the park.  Still, most folks tried to get a few hours of sleep (I think I might've got the least but that doesn't really count now does it?) which probably helped keep groggyness to a minimum.

(Nikon D90, Sigma 70-200 II @ ~160mm, f/4, 1/1250, ISO 200)

Defensively, I think the team played quite well.  The problem was offense, which was largely silent throughout the game.  Perhaps it was early in the day, or perhaps folks were just having an off-game.  Either way, Nex Gen just couldn't maintain a steady stream of run support and that ultimately cost them the game.  Extremely far from a total collapse, but definitely not the A-game that they needed to advance. 

(Nikon D90, Sigma 70-200 II @ 70mm, f/4, 1/3200, ISO 400, -0.3 EV Post)

Still, this is an improvement compared to last year when the team was eliminated from playoffs by a walk-off, three run home run (or at least that's what I recall).  This year's team has seen a great level of improvement in ability.  Still young, it may very well live up to its implied name as the "Next Generation" in future tournaments to come and I for one am certainly looking forward to it. Prefer the team photo below more than the one from the previous day, although Elijah was unfortunately missing due to him attending Sunday service at his church.

(Nikon D60, 18-55 VR @ 18mm, f/5, 1/640, ISO 200)

Though eliminated, most of the team stayed behind to cheer on Over 9000 as they faced off against the same team that had just eliminated Nex Gen. Though far from a blowout, they were able to advance to
the finals with a decisive win.  Finals were scheduled to take place at around 1 PM.  It was around 11:00 AM.  Conclusion: Relaxation and food-grabbing time.

(Nikon D90, Sigma 70-200 II @ ~170mm, f/4, 1/2000, ISO 200)

Fast forward two hours, since the game was to start early (what, you didn't really expect to see my paper plate of stereotypical Asian food... did you?  If you answered yes, then well... go check out your local Mandarin buffet) due to the previous one wrapping up quickly.  Both teams huddled shortly before the beginning of the game.

(Nikon D90, Sigma 70-200 II @ 70mm, f/4, 1/2500, ISO 200)

Both teams played incredibly well with no quarter given by either side.  Eventually though, Over 9000 managed to drive in enough runs to support their already stellar defence.  There was a minor scare though in the last inning when the second baseman took a hit to the face when a seemingly routine grounder took a funny hop as he was about to field it.  He's okay, sans a swollen upper-left cheek for the rest of the day.

(Nikon D90, Sigma 70-200 II @ 120mm, f/4, 1/1600, ISO 200)

With the win, Over 9000 came out on top at the Recreational Tournament.  I snuck in the team photo (below) whilst another photographer was taking their picture.  

 (Nikon D90, 35mm DX, f/5.6, 1/640, ISO 200)

The end of Rec however, signaled the beginning of Co-Ed Three-Pitch.  Enter Turn 2.

(Nikon D90, Sigma 70-200 II @ ~100mm, f/3.5, 1/1250, ISO 200)

Whereas Nex Gen and Over 9000 are primarily (if not completely) composed of younger players around my age (late teens, early twenties), Turn 2 is largely composed of hardened veterans in their mid to late twenties.  This is pretty much the exact same team that I watched play a couple weeks back, except this time it's not late in the evening and my camera can actually see what my eyes see.

(Nikon D90, Sigma 70-200 II @ 70mm, f/4, 1/2000, ISO 200)

Within the first few innings, I sensed right off the bat (no pun intended) that my weekend had probably just taken a turn for the awesome, photo- and entertainment-wise.  Softball as I knew it was about the change forever.

(Nikon D90, Sigma 70-200 II @ ~145mm, f/4, 1/1600, ISO 200)

I guess that's what happens when the only real organized softball I've ever seen in my life prior to this weekend was CCSA softball.  Technically I was with Nex Gen at Formosan the year prior, but that was so shortlived (I had missed half the day due to work, rather than oversleeping) that there was never really much impact in the way I perceived the sport.  To illustrate what I am talking about, here's an example, where I am standing there gawking (sorta half paying attention to what's going on) when Winson at third base does pulls a funky move at third base in the two successive shots below (he did not, sadly get the ball though).

(Nikon D90, Sigma 70-200 II @ 120mm, f/4, 1/1600, ISO 200)

(Nikon D90, Sigma 70-200 II @ 112mm, f/4, 1/1600, ISO 200)

Holy crap.  This was only the first game too, which Turn 2 won decisively.  Their next game was at around 5 PM, at the sole diamond not located at Milliken Mills Park.  That game was more of a blowout than anything and I consequently, didn't end up with too many shots.  It was a good opportunity to go after some of the more standard or 'gravy' stuff.  You know, batters and such.

(Nikon D90, Sigma 70-200 II @ ~120mm, f/4, 1/1250, ISO 400)

(Nikon D90, Sigma 70-200 II @ ~105mm, f/4, 1/2000, ISO 400)

Afterwards some of the team settled on dinner at an eatery near Milliken Mills Park (actually quite close to my home!), where I was formally introduced to a good portion of the team.  Upon the conclusion of dinner, erm... toliet antics ensued.  I am probably sure though that during the lull between the two games, no toilets were clogged.  I think.

(Nikon D90, Sigma 70-200 II @ 70mm, f/2.8, 1/250, ISO 3200)

The third game and final game for Turn 2 that day took place on the exact same diamond that Nex Gen played at almost twelve hours earlier.  The opposing team, Blitz has had a string of wins against Turn 2 for quite a while, as told to me by Albert Kong after the game.  Indeed, a rough first inning for Turn 2 showed a somewhat clueless me (do note that in comparison to most of these players, I have barely scratched the surface in terms of their personal softball experiences; most of them have been playing for at least a solid decade, give or take a few years) that Blitz wasn't going to roll over and die.

(Nikon D90, 35mm DX, f/3.2, 1/50, ISO 1600)

Of course, neither was Turn 2.  Both teams played some stellar softball, with Blitz ultimately getting the upper-hand on Turn 2, primarily due to their early successes in the first few innings.  Still, it was only Round Robin play, and Turn 2 still had another game the following day (at 9 AM).  As is the case for almost any softball game/practice this summer, post-game loitering ensued with some Turn 2 folks taking some extra BP. 

(Nikon D90, 35mm DX, f/2, 1/400, ISO 3200)

Loitering then shifted over to the house of Turn 2 players James (fifth from the bottom photo) and Justin Lau, where drinking ensued amongst some of them.  I was busy oggling James' (who is also does weddings and e-shoots) fast prime lenses.  Such is the life of a photographer.  

Got home at around 1:30ish.  Went to bed at around 3:30 AM and slept for four hours.

Day 3 coming soon.  The best has yet to come.