2016 American Association/Can-Am All Star Game Part III: The Saints

While I'm obviously a Goldeyes fan through and through, I've come to really like the St. Paul Saints franchise over the past couple of years. 

CHS Field is always a blast to visit, a true baseball temple if there ever was one. And maybe it's the sense of humour that permeates their game productions. 

This season I had the pleasure to meet Mark Hamburger, Tony Thomas and Alonzo Harris more than a few times, and their contiguous enthusiasm for the game--and refusal to take themselves too seriously before and after the game--have made them three of my all-time favourites to photograph.

Tony and Alonzo are a couple of characters, I swear they should have their own buddy cop show...they never resist a chance to mug for the camera.

Family were a big part of the home run derby, here's a shot of Alonzo's pops and Tony Thomas taking in the action.

Alonzo has a sick bat and he put it to good use in the HR derby; he ended up coming in second on the night, even though he did a round with a Go-Pro strapped to his head.

He kept it up the next night at the actual game...

And Tony Thomas and Mark Hamburger represented the Saints in fine form as well.

Angelo Songco was there too; alas, he was had sustained a shoulder injury prior to the game and was unable to complete.

I suppose I should mention George Tsamis, the Saints manager. He's one of the best. The North's dugout was crawling with photographers, so at one point in the game I tried to crouch on the steps near his usual roost in the dugout. Under normal game circumstances, unthinkable...but this was a bit different. 

He was going to shoo me away from the steps, but then asked: "are you going to shoot all the players?" i.e. not just Goldeyes. 

"Yes, for sure." 

"Then you can stay." 

So, belatedly, thanks for letting me stick around, George. You're all right in my books.

2016 American Association/Can-Am All-Star Game Part 2: Lemurs and other creatures

In the middle of 16 games in 18 days so things are crazy here at The Battery...but I did want to get some more All-Star shots before they get too dusty.

One of the highlights of the St. Paul All-Star Game was photographing some of Laredo's top players. The Lemurs didn't have any games scheduled in 2015 or 2016 in Winnipeg so it was a rare opportunity.

Dennis Phipps was one of the participants in the Aug. 1 home run derby:

The following night we got to see some of Laredo's pitching crew: Ryan Beckman, Luis De La Cruz and Jeff Inman. Barret Loux was voted in but unable to participate, and I missed Jose Nivar unfortunately.

At the time, we hadn't seen the Wichita Wingnuts in two years in Winnipeg. That would change in a week or so when the Nuts did a four game trip to Shaw Park. But it was neat to get an advance preview of Harrison Kain and star closer Frankie Reed before they made it to The Peg.

And just before the night was through, I caught glimpse of the lone Joplin Blaster at the All-Star game, Victor Capellan. Lighting was poor by that point and I never did get a good shot of him. But oddly enough, the Goldeyes would make a cash deal for Capellan just ten days later. So I got a second chance to photograph the sideways-capped reliever right here in Winnipeg.

2016 American Association/Can-Am All-Star Game Part 1: the Winnipeg connection

Got back from St. Paul yesterday, full credit to the St. Paul Saints organization, who collectively worked their asses off to make for a memorable two-day American Association/Can-Am All-Star event. CHS Field is a world-class facility and it was the perfect location to showcase the best players in indy ball. The North beat the South/Can-Am team 6-1, thanks in large part to an outstanding performance by MVP David Rohm. He's as reliable a hitter as they come, and Aug. 2 was no exception.

As one of the shooters in the Goldeyes' photo pool, my main goal of the trip was fairly simple: get as many shots of Rohm and Willie Cabrera (a late addition to the North All-Stars in place of injured Saint Angelo Songco) as possible. So I definitely had my lens pointed in their direction much of the time. At one point, while he was fielding, Rohm looked over at me as if to say "dude, quit it, I'm not even doing anything right now." I don't think David and Willie will be filing restraining orders against me just yet...they asked me to shoot several shots during pre-game and the home-run derby...but I won't push my luck much further...

Another highlight was seeing former Goldeyes Josh Mazzola and Luis Alen once again. Regardless of what jersey these gentlemen are wearing, they are two of the best ambassadors for the game the American Association could ask for.

More shots to come in the next few days. A big thanks to Paul McKeen, who came through with a 70-200 lens after I bounced mine off the concrete steps at Shaw Park a couple weeks ago (a casualty of Bark in the Park). Every lens has its own personality, and while I don't think I got my strongest shots at the All-Star event, I got by all right and that's all that matters. 

Also a big thanks to Kevin Luckow, Bill Tyler, leaders of the St. Paul tailgate crew. They were great hosts and it was fun to meet Steve Hamburger, Alonzo Harris Sr. and Will Alexander--a few of the all-star dads who also enjoyed a few hot dogs and beer just like the rest of us. Great, down to earth people who made the trip all the more enjoyable.

Dateline: St. Paul

The Northern Battery has ventured cross border deep into Saints territory for the American Association's All-Star Game at the fabulous CHS Field. The Goldeyes own David Rohm and Willie Cabrera will be representing the Northern Front on Tuesday night. Home run derby/Soul Asylum concert tomorrow night to start things off, should be a fun couple days of baseball, hot dogs and rocking in the free world!

Rohm has been as solid as they come for The Fish, while Cabrera was a fantastic mid-season addition from the Joplin Blasters. The latter Goldeye comes in as a replacement for the injured Angelo Songco, who was originally selected from the Saints. Still kind of surprising to see only two Goldeyes selected for the game, but it's a well-deserved honour for these two gentlemen. Looking forward to getting some great shots at CHS!