Hovercatcher

In those days, the routine was to shoot the first 3 innings or so from the first base dugout, but both my United Press International counterpart and I decided to relax a little and move to the third base side for the last couple of innings. Our first action photos had already been transmitted; we were pretty much set for the night.

I can’t remember at all “why” John Wathan jumped out of the way and levitated perfectly above the slide at home plate, still holding the ball. Isn’t the usual practice is to block or cover the plate, or otherwise prevent the runner from scoring? Maybe the third out had already been made at second or something.

We both saw this “play at the plate” coming, focused, then squeezed about 5 quick frames in the same second – and I let out an excited squeal! It’s a great feeling when you KNOW you have it nailed.

On top of that, the standard first base view of this scene wasn’t nearly as cool. Both of our motor drives captured the same players alright, just with the catcher’s legs coming down at different positions.

MINE IS STILL BETTER. UPI lost, but he got over it.