Your AP monthly contest results
I have gotten behind on posting our department’s winning images from the monthly AP photo contest. Here are our winners from recent months. Congratulations to all.
FIRST PLACE, FEBRUARY: Residents work to clean up damage to a home in the Oak Tree housing addition on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009, after a tornado hit the area on Tuesday in Edmond, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
THIRD PLACE, FEBRUARY: Firefighters work to extinguish flames in a barn that was set ablaze by a grass fire near SE 108th and Maguire Road in Slaughterville, Oklahoma, on Friday February 20, 2009. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
SECOND PLACE, ARPIL: Flames leap out of a broken gas line in Midwest City, Okla., Thursday, April 9, 2009. Fire crews in Oklahoma and Texas raced Thursday to control wind-whipped wildfires that destroyed dozens of homes, forced evacuations and shut down parts of a major highway. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
THIRD PLACE, APRIL: Iowa Tribe volunteer firefighter David Milby with his wife Bonnie Milby at the Integris Baptist Burn Center in Oklahoma City Monday, April 13, 2009. Photo by Paul B. Southerland, The Oklahoman
FIRST PLACE, MAY: Oklahoma City public school students swim during the Wacky Water Wahoo water safety class at White Water, on Thursday, May 21, 2009, in Oklahoma City. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
SECOND PLACE, MAY: Graduates watch fireworks following the 2009 University of Oklahoma Commencement at the Gaylord Family -- Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Friday, May 15, 2009, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
-Nate Billings
Grand slam dreams
Florida celebrates a game-winning grand slam by Ali Gardiner to advance the Gators past Alabama to the championship round of the Women's College World Series, Sunday May 31, 2008. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Every little girl who plays softball dreams of the day when she will hit a grand-slam home run to give her team a win.
On Sunday this dream became a reality for Florida Gator Ali Gardiner.
Gardiner walked up to the plate in the bottom of the 7th as the Gators trailed Alabama by 3. With two outs and the bases loaded, Gardiner, who was 0-for-9 in the WCWS, hit the 2-1 pitch just beyond the fence in left field, propelling the Gators into the championship round.
After shooting one of the longest softball games of my life (the previous game between Georgia and Washington went for more than four hours), Gardiner’s heroics were a nice highlight. College softball rarely produces high scores. On Sunday, I saw 28 runs in just two games including 2 grand slams. This year’s WCWS has produced a record 24 home runs setting a new single tournament record. Sunday’s 7,000 plus fans got their money’s worth.
After six-plus hours standing in burning sun on Sunday, I was pretty miserable. But after editing the pictures of Gardiner being dog piled by her teammates, I knew it was worth the pain.
The WCWS stands are often filled young softball players and their families. Knowing that there are now several little girls dreaming of the day they can be just like Ali Gardiner puts a smile on my sunburnt face.
Florida's Ali Gardiner celebrates her game-winning grand slam as Alabama's Lauren Parker reacts during NCAA softball tournament game between Alabama and Florida, Sunday May 31, 2008. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Florida's Ali Gardiner celebrates her game-winning grand slam as as she rounds the bases during NCAA softball tournament game between Alabama and Florida, Sunday May 31, 2008. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Florida head coach Tim Walton celebrates the Gators' win over Alabama during NCAA softball tournament, Sunday May 31, 2008. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Here are two photo galleries from the games I shot yesterday and one from the night game photographed by Bryan Terry.
Washington vs. Georgia, the rematch
-Sarah Phipps
WCWS softball
Georgia's Lisaira Daniels celebrates at home plate after scoring the winning run during NCAA softball tournament game between the Washington and Georgia, Sunday May 31, 2008. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
After today we will know which two teams will play for the NCAA softball championship at the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City. Sarah Phipps and Bryan Terry are covering the games today, often the longest day of the tournament with the “if necessary” elimination games. The first game between Washington and Georgia already took more than four hours with Georgia winning to force another game tonight. Despite the long hours of work, I always enjoy this event and hope it stays in Oklahoma City for a long time.
Below are some photos from the tournament up to now. You can follow the links below to even more photos in the WCWS as well.
Thursday, May 28, 2009, early session
Thursday, May 28, 2009, late session
Saturday, May 30, 2009, early session
Saturday, May 30, 2009, late session
The Washington Huskies celebrate a two-run home run by Niki Williams (3) in the fourth inning during the first college softball game of the Women's College World Series between the University of Georgia and Washington at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Thursday, May 28, 2009. Washington won, 3-1. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
Michigan's Bree Evans misses the ball on a home run in the first inning of the Women's College World Series softball game between Georgia and Michigan at the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Saturday, May 30, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Georgia catcher Kristyn Sandberg (23) collides with umpire Sally Walker while chasing a foul ball in the fifth inning during the Women's College World Series softball game between Missouri and Georgia at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Saturday, May 30, 2009. Georgia won, 5-2. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
Hillary Bach supporters, from left, Jessica Carriger, Sarah Carriger, Niki Stansell, Amber Harrison, and Liz Eisterhold clap as the Arizona State University players are introduced before the second game of the college softball game of the Women's College World Series between Missouri and Arizona State at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Thursday, May 28, 2009. All of the women except Jessica Carriger played on the Tulsa Eagles, an 18-and-under traveling softball team, with Bach, a pitcher for ASU. Arizona State won, 7-3. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
Alabama's Lisa Elizondo is tagged out at first base for a double play in the second inning of the Women's College World Series game between Alabama and the University of Michigan at the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Thursday, May 28, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Amanda Chidester of Michigan celebrates after hitting a home run in the third inning during the Women's College World Series game between Alabama and the University of Michigan at the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Thursday, May 28, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Alabama's Whitney Larsen (20) dives as the ball hits the ground before she can make the catch in the first inning during the Women's College World Series softball game between Alabama and Arizona at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Saturday, May 30, 2009. Alabama won, 14-0. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
Check out more photos from the WCWS in these galleries:
Thursday, May 28, 2009, early session
Thursday, May 28, 2009, late session
Saturday, May 30, 2009, early session
Saturday, May 30, 2009, late session
-Nate Billings
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
A few baseball pics
Sarah Phipps photographed the baseball game between OU and KU in Norman, Okla., on Sunday. The game made a couple of cool shots with water and one with dirt.
Kansas' David Narodowski steals home on a wild pitch during the college baseball game between the University of Kansas and the University of Oklahoma at L. Dale Mitchell Park, Sunday, May 3, 2009, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
OU right fielder Kaleb Herren (18) makes a diving catch during the college baseball game between the University of Kansas and the University of Oklahoma at L. Dale Mitchell Park, Sunday, May 3, 2009, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
OU right fielder Kaleb Herren (18) throws to the cut-off man after making a diving catch during the college baseball game between the University of Kansas and the University of Oklahoma at L. Dale Mitchell Park, Sunday, May 3, 2009, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
-Nate Billings
OKC Memorial Marathon
Here’s another look at some of the photos from this year’s Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. This year Sarah Phipps shot the marathon with our director of photography, Doug Hoke, who had to pinch hit thanks to some travel problems for staffer John Clanton. Here’s some of my favorites from this year. You can see a gallery of even more photos here.
Marathon participants make their way through the Oklahoma City National Memorial before the start of the ninth annual Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, Sunday, April 26, 2009, in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
People take part in the service at the Survivor Tree before the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Sunday, April 26, 2009. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman.
National Memorial at the beginning oRunners make their way past the OKC f the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Sunday, April 26, 2009. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman.
Runners make their way up the Walnut Street bridge during the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, Sunday, April 26, 2009, in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Marathoners make their way up the Walnut Street bridge during the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, Sunday, April 26, 2009, in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Runners make their way north on Lincoln Boulevard near the Capitol during the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Sunday, April 26, 2009. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman
Marathoners run in the Crown Heights area during the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, Sunday, April 26, 2009, in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
A runner grabs water at Lake Hefner during the Memorial Marathon, Sunday, April 26, 2009, in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Men's marathon champion Jordan Kinley waves to the crowd after winning at the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Sunday, April 26, 2009. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman
ouglas Woods rests in a blanket after the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Sunday, April 26, 2009. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman
To see more pictures, click here.
-Nate Billings
1889 baseball
Sarah Phipps made a slideshow from a baseball game in Guthrie last Friday that was played as if it were 1889. Check it out here, or click on the photo below.
Former major league pitcher Damon Minor holds his hand over his heart during the national anthem during the re-enactment 1889 baseball game between the Guthrie Dudes and Oklahoma City Pirates at Squires Field in Guthrie, Okla., Friday, April 24, 2009. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
-Nate Billings
Lightning Storm
Staff photographers Bryan Terry and Sarah Phipps took some pictures in Arcadia of the spectacular lightning in the metro area Sunday night. Here’s some of their photos of the Round Barn and Pops.
Lightning strikes behind Pops in Arcadia, Okla., Sunday, April 26, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Lightning fills the sky over the Round Barn in Arcadia, Okla., Sunday, April 26, 2009. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Lightning strikes behind Pops in Arcadia, Okla., Sunday, April 26, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Lightning over the Round Barn in Arcadia, Okla., Sunday, April 26, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
-Nate Billings
A busy week
There was plenty to cover this weekend in Oklahoma City with the Festival of the Arts and the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon in full swing. Here are just a few images, to see more of these events or to see other galleries we’ve made, click here.
With two of his bottom teeth loose, Ryan Jones, 6, struggles to get a good bite into this ear of roasted corn at the Festival of the Arts in Oklahoma City Thursday, April 23, 2009. The festival ends Sunday. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman
Sonya Thapa, age 5, of Norman, plays with other children at the Creation Station during the final day of the Festival of the Arts in downtown Oklahoma City on Saturday, April 26, 2009. Photo by John Clanton
Truman and June Garland, of Moore, hold hands as they walk past artwork during the Festival of the Arts in downtown Oklahoma City on Wednesday, April 22, 2009. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Marathoners make their way up the Walnut street bridge during the Memorial Marathon, Sunday, April 26, 2009, in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Runners make their way past the OKC National Memorial at the beginning of the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Sunday, April 26, 2009. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman
The men's marathon winner Jordan Kinley crosses the finish line at the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Sunday, April 26, 2009. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Spring Snow
From left, David Kenyon and Kelli Kenyon with their children Katie Kenyon, 5, and Kieran Kenyon, 6, all of Edmond, Okla., take a walk as snow falls at Hafer Park in Edmond, Okla., Saturday, March 28, 2009. PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN
All week the weather forecasters have been telling everybody to stay inside Saturday because of the snow.
People seem to have listened.
Sarah Phipps, Paul Hellstern and I spent the day looking for folks out in the snow in the Oklahoma City metro area and didn’t find many. Truthfully, we didn’t find a whole lot of snow either. The metro area was spared the blizzard that buried much of the north and western part of Oklahoma for the past two days.
For a gallery of some of what we did find, click here.
A dog walker uses the trails in the snow at Hafer Park, Saturday, March, 28, 2009, in Edmond, Okla. PHOTO BY SARAH PHIPPS, THE OKLAHOMAN
This blooming Redbud tree is coated with a frosting of snow in north Oklahoma City, Saturday, March 28, 2009. PHOTO BY PAUL HELLSTERN, THE OKLAHOMAN
-Nate Billings
