It was not until earlier this year, that women's golf took a leaping step in right direction when professional golfer and top LPGA player, Annika Sorenstam was told she could play against men in a PGA tournament. Many people predicted how they thought Sorenstam would do when she teed-off against some of best male golfers in world. Some people had positive encouragement to contribute while others were chauvinistic and down-right rude.

Phil Mickelson, 2nd in overall moneymaking standings last year, had no problem playing against a woman and claimed that he thought Sorenstam would end up 20th overall, when she predicted herself to be 28th. Other golf professionals were not so eager to give Sorenstam benefit of doubt. Vijah Singh actually resigned from tournament because he felt he could not play with a women. He claimed that Sorenstam simply "did not belong" in a men's tournament.

Nonetheless, having a woman play in PGA, even for a short while, was a huge accomplishment which could potentially pave road for future development in women's golf.

7) When opening lineup starts, look at dugout. If you're rooting for home team, beginning of game is a great time to get player photographs as they are running out onto field. If not, take photographs during middle of inning. If you don't get perfect photo, delete bad photographs during lull times and try later during game.

8) To take a picture of a swinging batter that will last a lifetime, do following:

*) Preparation is key. First, before game, know how to operate your digital camera. Practice focusing camera and quickly deleting unused photos - sometimes you can delete an unwanted photo before it is completely saved to camera's memory.

*) Before pitch, focus your viewfinder on batter's box and try not to cut out any of batter's body. Zoom in as appropriate, but remember more you zoom in, slower potential shutter speed needed to take a clear photo.

*) Anticipate shutter lag. Lock your focus before pitch; this usually is done by pressing shutter button down half-way.

*) Time it... time it... then as soon as ball is about to hit bat, press down fully on shutter button.

*) If pitch is a strike or swing is not one to be remembered, cancel save so your picture is not written to memory. This way, you can save room for other photos.

9) Look around for photo opportunities not directly related to action. Take a photograph of grounds crew cleaning bases and raking dirt between innings. Get a few shots of crowd. Take a picture of scoreboard. Look at surrounding area. If you want to remember full experience of a baseball game years from now, you should take advantage of one of best features of a digital camera - ability to take lots and lots of photographs - and shoot photographs showcasing FULL baseball experience.

10) Take a break during game! You came to baseball game to enjoy spectacle, not just to take pictures, right? Designate a few innings as photo-free time where you just sit back, munch on a hot dog, drink a soda, and soak in environment.

Remember to study your digital camera manual first and practice, practice, practice! Follow these ten tips and you'll be on your way to taking "home run" baseball photographs in no time.

Copyright 2005 Andrew Malek.