2015 Atlanta Braves Real-Time Correspondent

ORTFOLIOPAround the Ted

Freddie!

MLB Food &@YourBoySwish

Holding the Past

52 of my best photos

The Visitors

The sights and sounds of Turner Field

Plus

Capturing an All-Star

An old-timer’s memories, today

Around the TedThe sights and sounds of Turner Field. A closer look at thevariety of cont-ent around the ball-park.

Freddie!Capturing Braves’ All-Star first baseman,

@YourBoySwish

4th of Julypg. 3

pg. 10

Table of Contentspg. 14

pg. 16MLB Food

Freddie Freeman. The Visitors pg. 18

Holding the Past pg. 22

Portfolio CoverI tried to be very inconspicuous in grabbing the perfect angle of this photo. Then the fan started to walk away and I got his attention. After explaining my role he was happy to pose.

pg. 12

1

E Each season every major league club has one or two Real-Time Correspondents. For the 2015 season, I worked as the RTC for the Atlanta Braves. I worked all eighty-one home games and gathered a variety of real-time content. I have organized and cataloged my top photos in this portfolio with small descriptions telling the stories behind a few of the photos.

In the season, the photos were shared on the social media accounts for the Braves, the MLB, and other visiting clubs. This experience was one of a kind, and I could not have accomplished it without the 2015 Digital Team, Braves’ staff, and the amazing game day employees at Turner Field.

Top: Simmons taking a selfie with fan at batting practice. Bottom: Glove and baseballs also during BP.

2

Around the Ted

TedAround the

T Turner Field was completed for the 1996 Olympic games and opened for the Braves in the 1997 season. The Braves moved to Atlanta in 1966 and, spent 30 years in Fulton County stadium, before making the jump next door. Although my parents say we went to Fulton County, I only remember my time at the Ted.

Luckily for me in receiving this position, I already was familiar with the territory. However, as a fan, I was always, taking in the moment for myself, but, as an RTC, it was for all the fans who couldn’t make it to the game. For a fun-filled four hours plus nine innings with a chance of extras, I was snapping photos and breaking FitBit step goals all for the benefit of fans back home. For eighty-one home games, that was enough motivation for this life-long Braves fan.

Nearly every day at the ballpark was different and always that much more exciting than the previous. Eventually, a routine fell into place. But, until then, I had to be on the lookout for any tomahawk chopping K-9s, flooded fields, guys named Chipper, Hammers namedHank, world famous rap artists, and movie stars. Even a few zombies.

The photos in this section do not focus on one perspective, but rather on the diverse sights any fan might see at Turner Field during the 2015 season. Each of my days would start with my organizing and reviewing the upcoming game in the press box. Once I had a good hold on the match-up, I was off to batting practice to capture the Braves and visiting clubs. The fans made batting practice unique everyday by displaying originality and creativity in their pursuit to get autographs from the players.

Previous: Stray ball during batting practice.

4

TedAround the

Having total access to the batting cage and players allowed me to gather real-time content and provided me with a very enjoyable experience. If a fan happened to be wearing a costume, holding a sign, or doing anything to get the Braves’ attention, I would do my best to capture both their photo and their story. The majority of these stories would come during batting practice and before first pitch.

There was often a window of about an hour where I could take interviews before the teams took the field, and I regularly found myself circling the park looking for unique fans, unique ballpark shots, and any story seemed worth telling.

So, flip through and see the wide variety of sights and sounds of a season at the ballpark as I walked around the Ted.

Both: Shots of Turner Field from different angles in the stadium

5

TedAround the

Top: Cool K-9 during Bark in the Park, Bottom: Chris Johnson taking BP

Top: Grounds crew handling heavy rain Bottom: Extra gear during BP

6

TedAround the

Top: Chipper Jones warming up for softball game Bottom: Soldier & son watching BP

Top: Extra gear during BP Bottom: Julio Teheran in bullpen

7

TedAround theBottom: Young kids holding big heads in Center Field

Top: Hammerin’ Hank in Sky Field, Right: Phil the Bucket winning Home Depot Tool race

8

TedAround theTop: Fan’s gear at BP Bottom: Braves gear at BP

Top: Kelly Johnson with fans

Top: Ludacris signing Bottom: Stan the Zombie

9

Freddie!Capturing an All-Star

Freddie

the Braves’ star player. This two-time All-star is always the center of Braves fans’ attention throughout every home game. On the field, Freeman stands out as a true offensive and defensive talent. Off the field and in the dugout, he is most notably known for his fun-loving and gregarious attitude towards his teammates. Yes, that’s right, number five is known for his bat, glove, and his hugs.

Because his affectionate demeanor has captured the hearts of Braves Country, Freeman is a fan favorite and a potential Braves Hall

Above: Freddie taking batting practice

ofF a m e r. During batt ing practice and

before the first pitch, fans call Freddie not always for an autograph, but sometimes for his signature hugs.

Both Freeman’s passion and his competitive spirit for winning are obvious. But, how this Atlanta hero shows it is a little more apparent than other MLB stars. While baseball fans love to cheer for their favorite player because of his talent, they love him more so for his compassion for his teammates and teams achievements. With any walk-off, homer, top play, or great pitching, other players are guaranteed a warm embrace from their 6, 5’ first baseman. If you get the chance to be close to Freeman, make sure to capture the moment and see

Cover: Freddie holding a lucky toddler on his shoulders.

Freddie Freeman is one of the best all-around first basemen in the major leagues, which makes him

Above: Freddie waiting to take batting practice.

just howFreddie is more than an All-Star.

F

11

Swisher taking a selfie with fans in Atlanta right before first pitch.

Covering one of the happi est dudes in baseball

@YourBoySwish

Top: Nick Swisher taking a selfie with Braves fans

Never have I ever been around a more exciting player or fun-loving human than Nick Swisher. Swisher entered the Majors in 2004 with Oakland and has since played for five other clubs. He is most notably known for his time with the Yankees, where he won a World Series in 2009. @YourBoySwish joined the Braves in 2015 as a utility player. In his first game he got a standup double that made the home crowd electric. After the new Brave held at 2nd, he immediately went into the Tomahawk Chop. Say hello to a great .gif and welcome Mr. Swisher to Atlanta.

While covering Swisher, I had to always be on my toes. He was great with fans and always more than happy to take a “selfie,” sign an autograph, or deliver a fist bump. Although he was only a Brave for a year, he was among the happiest to call Turner Field home and baseball his passion.

N

Top: Swisher pre-game, Bottom Left: Swisher with fans, B. Right- Customized gloves

4th of July There’s always been

and always will be something special about going to the ballpark on the 4th of July. What better way to celebrate America's birthday than by watching it's pastime? It's hard to put a finger on what exactly brings out the nostalgia and the “feels" on that special day in July. It seems as if people at the game, just feel more American with a footlong and nine

TAbove: Family continues 20 year tradition of bringing American flag to Braves game.

there’s definitely something special there. It's also probably the easiest day for an RTC, because everyone is dressed for the occasion and supporting the red, white, and blue in some way, shape or fashion. For the family pictured above,

14

innings in front of them. Like I said, it's hard to put a finger on it, but there’s

they celebrated by continuing their tradition of bringing "Old Glory" to the Ted! They have apparently brought their large American flag for over twenty years and will most likely continue the tradition into SunTrust Park.

Above: In 2015, America celebrated it’s 239th anniversary. So, section 239 leant itself to being captured on the 4th.

4th of July 15

MLB FoodBallpark Favorites

MLB Food

Photographing food is at an all-time high with much of the credit given to @FoodInTheAir. Thus, enjoying ballpark food has become a key part in celebrating America’s pastime. With the constant growth of the trending phenomenon that is food photography, the MLB capitalized and created the MLB Food social accounts.

Among fans tagging photos of food, it was part of the RTC’s role to find these photogenic tasty treats. From waffles to steaks and H&F burgers to nachos, Turner Field had quite the smorgasbord of ballpark favorites to eat. I must note that I never bought and photographed my own meal. Yes, all the shots you see are of the gracious fans’ food.

Nonetheless, if the meal made the cut, I would share the photo so that the owner could see just how famous their food (and their hand) had become. Though not all fans showed interest in seeing their recent dishes, they did smile with approval and full stomachs.

Top:& Bottom: Fans holding their mouth watering H&F burgersCover: Fan holding a delicious looking plate of nachos

17

P

The Visitors2015 Opposing Teams & Fans

Above: Alex Rodriguez signing autographs while on tractor in Atlanta.

Yankees

18

Red Sox

The Visitors

As stated, the role of the RTC was not only to cover the home team but also to gather content of the visiting club. This was nearly as exciting as capturing the Braves. The 2015 season brought in historic and perennial ball clubs and their players. From rookies to veterans, All-Stars to struggling pitchers, and World Series champions to MVPs, covering the opponent was no easy task. Over time I was able to develop a knack for practicing a little reconnaissance before approaching for the photo. Now, the photos shown in some cases were just being in the right place at the right time (note the cover of Alex Rodriguez signing autographs on top of grounds crew tractor). Yet, when practicing my system, I looked to give the players plenty of space and tried to grab a shot at the last second (see Red Sox’ Brock Holt leaning on his bat).

Top: Red Sox gear, Bottom: Brock Holt at BP.

19

A

Nationals

Top Right: Bryce Harper taking a selfie Bottom Right: Nationals streching Above: Harper’s #1 fan The Visitors

It was never an easy task, especially for the Yankees, but that’s another story. In covering the visitors, I tried to deliver a variety of content and always gave the contacts back in their respected cities something they were not expecting. Therefore, the following is a collection of my best photos of The Visitors.

20

Brewers

Pirates

Cubs

Above: Leader of Mets’ 7 Line Army

Mets

The Visitors

Above: Happy Brewers fan with BP ballAbove: Anthony Rizzo taking BP

Above: Reflection of Turner Field in Pirates fan’s sunglasses

21

Holding the PastAn Old-Timer’s Memories, Today

Above: Photograph of John Smoltz pitching his 3,000th strikeout.

22

RHTP

Real-Time Correspondents are given a lot of creative freedom, as long as their shot sheets are completed. I do not feel that my job ever became monotonous, but I would like to begin focusing on my own projects in order to further add to the content I supplied the

Braves. The 2015 season was the second to last season the Braves would spend in Turner Field. Considering this, I tried to find a way to capture the final moments of history at the Ted and Fulton County Stadium in a unique way. Throughout the season, social media accounts were

Above: Historic photo of Hank Aaron breaking Babe Ruth’s unbreakable home run record.

23

Above: Bobby Cox being carried by players in 2010.

HTPAbove: Chipper Jones watching a home run.

beginning to focus on the past and especially vintage photos. With # T h r o w b a c k T h u r s d a y a n d #FlashbackFriday at the height of their hashtag existence, it seemed necessary to capitalize on these trends and prepare a project that covered all of these areas.

Brainstorming began as I looked to social media for inspiration. When browsing, I noticed more and more vintage Polaroid-type photos being positioned in the same spot years after. This could work, I thought. I then made a list of some of the Braves’ biggest historical moments in Atlanta, wrote a presentation for the project, and presented it to my supervisors. It was approved and I was given the photos I listed.

Afterwards, I organized, collected, printed, and cut the photos. Although these are not Polaroid photos, I had to create the Polaroid look and feel. I printed them on similar paper and cut them to have the vintage, off-center look.

24

HTP

Once I had every photo together in two different sizes, I went to those locations. Luckily, Fulton County stadium was next door to Turner Field, and everything could be collected quickly. However, this proved to be the hardest part of the process. I ended up taking dozens of photos in order to achieve the perfect angle and focus. Without the help of ushers and my co-workers, this would not have been possible. The ushers allowed me to maneuver myself around for perfect angles during the game. After the game, I presented the drafts and received feedback from my co-workers.

In the end, all the planning and shooting was well worth it. If I had the chance, I may like to change a few of the concepts present in this project, but, regardless, I learned a great deal from this process and am proud of my accomplishments in this role.

Above: Sid Bream sliding into home to win the 1992 NLCS

Above: Braves win 1995 World Series

Above: Bobby Cox getting thrown out of a game.

25

http://m.braves.mlb.com/video/v480853683/toratl-fan-celebrates-91st-birthday-at-turner-field

26

Truly, I hope you enjoyed viewing my portfolio. The picture above is of a Braves fan celebrating her 91st birthday at Turner Field. She has been a Braves fan her entire life and I was lucky enough to interview her. Please copy the link below the photo and follow to the her interview, if you wish.

For any analytics I am more than happy to supply you with the spreadsheet of social impressions on my content. If you should have any questions, please reach out at jack.tomblin.warren@gmail.com or (706) 358-6617.