Softball AIA Division I State Championship Tournament -Softball - Desert Vista @ Gilbert

Desert Vista 7, Gilbert 3

Gilbert Softball played hard but came up short against Desert Vista in round 2 of the state tournament. Desert Vista moves on to play Mesa Mountain View tomorrow (5-1-13).

Here are a few Pics from the game. You can see all the pictures HERE.  

All the pics from the game can be seen HERE. 

Another! Bat on the Ball Shot!

High School Softball

Another “lucky” shot on my part with the softball suspended on, or very close to, the bat. It’s not quite the contorted crushed ball in THIS picture from a previous post. At least this one is focused better. It’s a fun little exercise to do the same thing the batter is doing and attempt to place the bat on the ball. I have to admit, these softball players are much better at it than I am.

This is Basha High School’s Allie Hancock making contact with the ball and Gilbert High School’s Taylor McCord is catching. Basha won this battle 7-3.

Taylor McCord (Gilbert Tigers) catching and
Allie Hancock (Basha Bears) Making contact with the ball. 

I think its touching...

Progress in the Big City - Mesa 2nd Ward Building gets a Neighbor

I drove past the old Mesa 2nd Ward building the other day. I was surprised to see the size of the structure going in next to it. I understand the “Encore on First” is going to offer independent living for seniors. I suspect it will look great once it’s completed. It just set me back a little to see the huge structure casting a shadow on the church that many of us grew up going to. 

Downtown Mesa - First Street and Center Street

Mesa Second Ward

To be fair there is some distance between the buildings but not a whole lot. 

2013 Prom - Gilbert High School

Prom - Great Friends having a Great Time

April 20th was Gilbert High School's Prom. My wife and I went to a park and photograph the group before they went out to eat and eventually to the dance. They are a great group of kids who are all good friends. Many of them are on the schools volleyball teams together. 

See all the pictures at www.azdewphoto.com: 2013 GHS Prom

See all the pictures at www.azdewphoto.com: 2013 GHS Prom

Where Does the Time Go?

Our Kids are growing up too fast!

I saw this picture of my daughter Niki from just a few years ago. It's from when she was a freshman in high school. It's hard to believe that in a few months she will be getting married. The good part is she is marrying a great young man, Jordan Burr. We couldn’t ask for a finer companion for her, and he's from Mesa so the chances they will stay close by are much greater!

However, it still feels like our kids are growing up way too fast! Where does the time go? What happened to the days we would carry them to bed? Or put band aids on their knees? I miss thoes days!

That Exact Moment when the Bat Hits the Ball

Ball takes a beating by a Bat!

When I looked through the images from yesterday’s Gilbert vs Mesquite softball game I found an interesting image. Focus is not where I would have liked it but the timing of shot captured the bat on the ball at the exact moment of impact.

The ball is compressed and the bat appears to be slightly bent. It was perfect (and flat out lucky) to capture that exact moment.  I will probably not see this again for a long time if ever.  I only wish the focus would have been on the player instead of the backstop! Next time…



That exact moment when the bat hits the ball.



This is the full image so you can see the whole story.

More Images from the game... Softball - Mesquite @ Gilbert 4-16-13



Campo Verde - Paige Hess

Campo Verde shortstop Paige Hess smiles shortly after being asked to prom over the PA system. It happened between innings and her answer…, “Yes”. The teams answer shouted from the dugout, “It’s about time”. Campo Verde went on to win in extra innings over the favored Queen Creek Bulldogs.

More pictures from the Campo Verde -vs- Queen Creek softball game can be found here: http://www.azdewphoto.com/Campo-Verde-High-School/2013-CV-Softball-vs-Queen/28872044_MGC7jT

Campo Verde Softball vs Queen Creek April 11th, 2013

High School Softball

I shot the Campo Verde Softball Game this afternoon. They played the Queen Creek Bulldogs and upset them in extra innings with a 8-7 win. Both teams played great softball. The facilities at Campo Verde are very nice as was the weather. Put those two elements together and it was a great softball day. 

Here are some images from the game. There are many more on my website azdewphoto.com. Click this link to go directly to the Campo vs Queen Creek gallery. 

All the images are free to look at. They are also available for purchase at modest prices. Both prints and digital downloads options are found by clicking the 'Buy' button from the azdewphoto.com website.  link 

More images from the Campo Verde Softball vs Queen Creek Softball game can be found here:
http://www.azdewphoto.com/Campo-Verde-High-School/2013-CV-Softball-vs-Queen/28872044_MGC7jT

2013 Arizona National Qualifier - Girls Club Volleyball

Volleyball and More Girls Volleyball

This past weekend was filled with girls volleyball. It was the Arizona National Qualifier at CourtOne in Tempe. There were many talented athletes, all playing great volleyball. 

Here a few pictures from the day...

Angela Webb from AZ Storm 17 Hits past Randi Powers from Northern Arizona Jr's 17 Team

More Images from the Tournament at AzDewPhoto.com 

AZ Storm 17 players Angela Webb and Christine Johnson go up and Block

AZ East Valley 17 Mizuno players attempt to block an Aspire 17 Black hitter

Taylor Marin passes the ball for AZ Storm 17 Thunder

Aspire 17 Black player passes the ball at the AZ National Qualifier

NAJ Jrs 17 Megan Players Celebrate after a Big Win

More Images from the Tournament at AzDewPhoto.com

Boyce Thompson Arboretum - Superior, AZ

My wife and I drove to Superior AZ Friday morning to visit the beautiful Boyce Thompson Arboretum. We spent several hours hiking the trails and admiring the unique plants and wildlife. It was well worth the quick trip. I plan to go back and spend more time exploring. There is a lot we didn't get to see. 

Here are a few things we did see...