Mikey

The colors are nice, but they look oversaturated to my eye. (Perhaps they are not, but I call 'em like I see 'em.) The umpire's mask could stand some flash.

 

However, I enjoy this scene. I've seen a lot of baseball photos in the media, but not many like this. (Not every action shot needs a face, IMHO.) Good composition.

Wow. Some timing....

Next time you go for this kind of shot... go for it slightly before contact. About 2 milliseconds earlier would be so much better, though I understand that it is difficult to achieve. Otherwise it is quite nice -- the ball is the only imperfection

Holy Cow!!!!!....Picky picky picky!!!--in reference to some of the comments above. I would call this an outstanding sports action photo, beautifully composed at a peak moment. Well done!

Saturated colors makes this pictures ! They add a lot to the attractivness of the picture. The composition is interesting and the small blur around the ball add movement to the action. I really like your picture ! Congratulations.

That's a very good timing. Nice perspective.

Yes, the colors have been saturated. To me, professional sports are extra-real; there is a bit of a cartoon strip quality to them (you have heroes and you have villains, depending on which team you root for). The bright colors often used by teams (the Mets' and Orioles' orange jerseys this spring, for example) only add to this notion. I therefore saturated the colors, to get that type of feel. All comments appreciated - thank you!

Very good. Even though its a modern player, this has an old-fashioned nostalgic feel to it. I think that's beacuse of the over staurated and the limited perspective - we just see a few players and a relatively ungroomed looking batters box and field.

Outstanding capture!!! Those who would quibble with the timing are judged (IMHO) to have no experience in trying to obtain such an image at a defining moment.

One of the best sports photos I've seen on this site - anywhere for that matter. You guys deserve more recognition for your work.

I agree, great capture, for that is what it is.

Trying to time it is impossible. It only takes 6/10th's of a second for the ball to reach the plate from the pitchers hand. So you have to take multiple shots or be very lucky like I was with my Ichiro photo. If it was even 1/20th of a second later or earlier, it would have been a regular shot.

Great capture. Colours are excellent. Given the fractions of a second involved in getting this kind of shot, you did remarkably well. Brilliant.

 

Go Mets!

Excellent shot. What lens? Can't figure out why people are so critical of great sports photos on phot.net. Great sports photos are a challenge to get!