Baseball memories
A child runs the bases at the Bricktown Ballpark during Sunday Fun Day on May 17, 2009. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Growing up in Kansas City, my favorite activity in the summer was to go to Royals’ games with my father. There is no other experience in the world like going to the ball park with your pops.
The sights, the sounds, the smells, the food. A hot dog at the ball park tastes better than the world’s finest filet mignon. The crack of a line drive is unforgettable.
Baseball is the the definition of summer.
We would always go to at least three games: Memorial Day for my birthday, Fourth of July for the fireworks, and my personal favorite Blues Springs’ Day.
Blue Springs Day was extra special. On this day, I would put on my softball uniform cleats and all. And along with hundreds of other future hall of famers, I would parade around the warning track before the game. If was lucky enough, George Brett might even wave hello. I felt so cool. I was on top of the world.
Here in Oklahoma City, every Sunday the RedHawks host Sunday Fun Day. After the game, all the children are allowed to run the bases, hit home runs, and play catch with their dad in left field. I certainly wish I had a memory of playing catch in left field at Kauffman Stadium with my pops.
I bet these kids feel as tall as their shadows as they round the bases and will always remember the time they hit a homerun at the Brick.
Summers at the ballpark can create memories of a lifetime.
Children run the bases after the RedHawks baseball game on Sunday, May 17, 2009. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
-Sarah Phipps
Capturing the joy of others
Last Saturday I was at Cops Cooped Up, an event to raise money for Special Olympics by the Edmond Police Department and also a safety fair. It got its name because Officer Aaron Randall stayed in a tent in the parking lot of Academy Sports from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. The Edmond police and fire departments brought out a lot of their equipment to show the public. Safety fairs are mainly put on to help educate children and let them meet these real life heroes. And kids there were. Which brings me to the point of this entry, capturing the joy of children and their parents photographically. It has always been one of the parts of my job I enjoy the most. Most young children have an innocence that allows them to enjoy things we (adults) take for granted. A young boy watching a fireman climb the ladder on a fire truck. Sitting on a police motorcycle or peering into the K-9 car to get a close look at the dog. Or just saying things to make us laugh. I hope you enjoy the following photos as much as I did taking them.
Matthew Coomes, 6, watches with amazement as a firefighter climbs the ladder on a fire truck during the Cops Cooped Up-Special Olympics fundraiser and safety fair in Edmond Saturday, May 9, 2009. Randall spent the day inside the tent. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman
A firefighter climbs the ladder on a fire truck during the Cops Cooped Up-Special Olympics fundraiser and safety fair in Edmond Saturday, May 9, 2009. Randall spent the day inside the tent. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman
Melayna Croan, 3, sits on a police motorcycle during the Cops Cooped Up-Special Olympics fundraiser and safety fair in Edmond Saturday, May 9, 2009. Randall spent the day inside the tent. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman
K-9 Officer Neil Martin talks about his dog Mambo with Angela Yaw and her daughters Angelica Yaw, 9, and Trista Yaw, 5, as they get a closer look during the Cops Cooped Up-Special Olympics fundraiser and safety fair in Edmond Saturday, May 9, 2009. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman
Officer Sean Bryant, left, laughs with Officer Aaron Randall, right, as 7 year old Tyler Evans, the son of Det. Tom Evans, entertains them during the Cops Cooped Up-Special Olympics fundraiser and safety fair in Edmond Saturday, May 9, 2009. Randall spent the day inside the tent. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman
To see a gallery from last Saturday, click here
Oklahoma Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Service
Jim Beckel covered the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Service this morning and came up with some nice photos.
Oklahoma County Sheriff's Deputy Leroy Scott touches the brim of his hat as he lowers his head while standing among honor guards from police departments throughout the state.at the 41st annual Oklahoma Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial Service on the grounds of the Department of Public Safety offices at NE 36 and MLK, Friday morning, May 8, 2009. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman
Chris Haney, Lighthorse police chief, shows his son Austin, 8, names on one of the memorials after the ceremony. Lighthorse is the police agency for the Seminole Nation. Fallen law officers were honored at the 41st annual Oklahoma Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial Service on the grounds of the Department of Public Safety offices at NE 36 and MLK, Friday morning, May 8, 2009. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman
Honor guards from police departments throught the state honor fallen comrades at the 41st annual Oklahoma Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial Service on the grounds of the Department of Public Safety offices at NE 36 and MLK, Friday morning, May 8, 2009. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman
Honor guards from police departments through out the state honor fallen comrades at the 41st annual Oklahoma Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial Service on the grounds of the Department of Public Safety offices at NE 36 and MLK, Friday morning, May 8, 2009. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman
To see the complete gallery click here
-Doug Hoke
Another Hot Oklahoma Night
If you go to the Oklahoma rock’n'roll exhibit at the Oklahoma History Center be sure to take your camera! Besides lots of cool exhibits there is a Rock Star Photo-Op where you can pose with a guitar, bass, drums or microphone and fulfill your dreams!
Marina Glapion, 5, from Midwest City, sits in colorful guitar chairs at the opening of "Another Hot Oklahoma Night" rock 'n' roll history exhibit at the Oklahoma History Center Saturday, May 2, 2009. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman
Mikah Branson, 4, becomes a rock star at the Rock Star Photo-Op at the opening of "Another Hot Oklahoma Night" rock 'n' roll history exhibit at the Oklahoma History Center Saturday, May 2, 2009. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman
James Petree, Oklahoma City, gets on his knees to get a photo of the Collins Kids display at the opening of "Another Hot Oklahoma Night" rock 'n' roll history exhibit at the Oklahoma History Center Saturday, May 2, 2009. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman
-Doug Hoke
