Harper

"Washington Nationals batter Bryce Harper #34 waits to hit against the Baltimore Orioles in the first inning during their MLB interleague baseball game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland, June 24, 2012."

I'm not a baseball fan, I've mentioned it before. I blame my upbringing in Maryland where lacrosse owns the state in the spring.

But I've also said that I've learned to love the game over time. I do enjoy getting to the ballpark and its been an exciting season for the Baltimore Orioles.

With that said, I don't care what sport it is, it could be chess, but I am a sports fan and an admirer of gamesmen. Sure, there is a fine line of confident and cockiness, but let's face it, these men and women in the sports world are competitors and that sometimes can be a gray area.

This weekend I spent my time in the photo wells covering the the Washington Nationals taking on the Baltimore Orioles in the battle of the beltways. It was the first time I've seen the 19-year-old phenom Bryce Harper play in person.

I'll go ahead and say it: The kid is such a fun athlete to photograph and watch. He has the talent, a tremendous passion and likes to take risks to put his team ahead.

I guess you can't call me a fan since I need to be an unbiased photographer, but Harper did put a smile on my face sliding into first, stealing bases and showing his emotion on the good and bad plays.

He sparked my interest in baseball and sometimes, young or old, no matter what the subject, that real love for something is good for everyone.

Walk the walk

"Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky walks into the Centre County Courthouse before the first day of his child sex abuse trial begins on June 11, 2012, in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. Sandusky is charged with 52 criminal counts of alleged sexual abuse of children."

As the trial comes to a close, I am posting some continuing coverage of the Sandusky trial.

Unfortunately, I am out of the country, so I'll probably miss the verdict. But every day the walk in and out of the court house by former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky became redundant.

Covering the walk alone, remote cameras seemed like the best solution to capture all the angles simultaneously. And after a couple days of the same stroll, it was easy to predict the path.

So on the actual first day of the trial, I placed a remote low across the lot facing the gaggle of media photographers. Little did we all know, Sandusky's attorney would not make the first day normal.

Instead of parking, they came to a stop in the middle of the lot and got out briskly. At first, I was a bit upset thinking their haphazard parking job blocked my intended image. But after looking back, the SUV probably cleaned up a more or less messy frame, as photographers, mics and cameras layered nicely on the right side of the image.

Its been fun watching how we all approach the same scene, and I am looking forward to seeing the great work on the last day of the trial by the talented team of photographers covering all that is happening in Bellefonte.

Horsing around

"Belmont entrant Guyana Star Dweej bites the hat of an exercise rider Luis Gracia during morning workouts in preparation for the 144th Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park on June 8, 2012 in Elmont, New York."

Sometimes when everyone expects things to be big, bold and exciting, they get exactly that, but with a twist.

In New York for the 144th Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park, media, race fans and everyone alike were gearing up for what could have been the first Triple Crown win since Affirmed in 1978 - 34 years ago.

I'll Have Another was coming into the Belmont Stakes perfect - with wins in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. But then everything changed.

He was scratched from Saturday’s Belmont because of a problem with his left front leg.

I was there in the morning for workouts, but only got off a handful of frames of the Triple Crown hopeful. Tough to think what could have been an exciting history making effort.

But that's what I love about the world. Nothing is ever normal. Things change and we all must adapt. Who knows what could have happened or not happened, but I do know it made for an interesting day.

Eye on the lion

"Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky looks over at the media as he leaves the Centre County Courthouse after the first day of jury selection begun in his child sex abuse trial on June 5, 2012 in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. Sandusky is charged with 52 criminal counts of alleged sexual abuse of children."

I had the privilege of getting back to State College to continue working the unfolding story of the Sandusky child sex abuse trial. I'll be there next week, too.

By all means, it's not glamorous, but it's a must to document for the newsworthiness.

Last week, the two days I was stationed in Bellefonte, Penn., for the jury selection, the schedule was the same. Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky would arrive with his attorney around 8 a.m. and leave sometime between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. In other words, the important images were documented in all of a minute combined - that is aside from features and such that took up the rest of the day.

I got creative and setup some remotes to double cover the walk into the court house and will do the same next week. But this was one of my favorite frames which was shot through the windshield of his attorney's SUV. I can't say what he was thinking because I don't know, but I do know he was looking over at the hoards of media recording his every move.

It will be interesting to see how the trial plays out and how the community reacts, too.

Monster Mile

"Carl Edwards, driver of the #99 Subway Ford, practices for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks at Dover International Speedway on June 1, 2012 in Dover, Delaware. Edwards finished the race in 26th."

This past weekend, I was fortunate enough to cover some NASCAR action with the Getty Images NASCAR team.

Three days of solid teamwork came to an end when Jimmie Johnson took the checkered flag in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks on Sunday.

After two prior days at the track, seeing and shooting a bit of everything, I was looking forward to the big race.

It didn't take long for the action to begin, only nine laps into the race, a massive 13-car accident took out multiple drivers including defending Cup champion Tony Stewart.

Being pitted in turn three, the crash, which occurred out of turn two, was in front of me, but a bit far out to be compelling. Yet it was documented.

From that point on, there was no more clashing of cars, but Jeff Gordon did his best to make the race an interesting one for a good while.

Like any sport, NASCAR is unpredictable and a challenge. I had a blast at the track and had a good time working along side a good group of talented motorsport photographers.

It will be exciting, knowing what I know now about the track, to get back out there later this year.