Sep 25, 2015

As the Orioles’ 2015 season comes to a close and a play-off appearance seemingly remote, I started to look for something different during the games. I was looking for interesting pictures that show the traditions of the game, like players chewing bubble gum, fans seeking autographs or a batter get thrown at after a home run. I also photographed tight close-ups of mitts used by last season’s Rawlings Gold Glove award winners that have gold labels, and how the home team grounds crews always smooth the infield on the top of the inning when the Orioles are on the field. There are images that show that fraction of a second that is invisible in real time, like a bat breaking on impact with a pitch, a runner avoiding a tag or beating a throw to reach base.

: Orioles grounds crew lines the Orioles grounds crew lines the field with lime before game. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)e field with lime before game. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: A teammate of Chris Davis left his glove and cap on the bag during inning change. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: Orioles grounds crew spray water on the in-field before the start of game. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: A young fan hopes Orioles center-fielder Adam Jones will come by and sign his bobble-head doll. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: Orioles Caleb Joseph gets away from a high inside pitch by Phillies pitcher Dustin McGowan in the third inning. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: Orioles pitcher Kevin Gausman picks up the ball from the rosin bag on the mound to start a game. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: The Orioles’ Manny Machado high fives teammates in the dug out after his go-ahead solo home-run against Red Sox in the fifth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: A fan carries his glove on his head during game. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: The bursting of a bubble gum bubble blown by Orioles center-fielder Adam Jones while in the dug out. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: The bat of Orioles center-fielder Adam Jones breaks as it strikes a baseball at a weak spot during game against the Red Sox. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: Andrian Webbert (cq), 3, of Baltimore, tries to catch a fly ball from right field during batting practice. Webbert is attending his second opening day games with his father and grandfather. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: Orioles center-fielder Adam Jones’ batting helmet. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: Orioles catcher Matt Wieters uses his Rawlings Gold-labelled mitt to catch a ball fouled by a batter. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: Orioles ground crew member runs off the field after smoothing the in-field during the seventh inning. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: Orioles’ Steve Pearce gets pied by teammate Tommy Hunter after his on-field post-game interview. Pearce’s two-run homer in the seventh inning proved to be the game-winning score. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)

: Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy warms up by playing catch with his Rawlings Gold labelled glove. Close-up details shot during Orioles games at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. (Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun)