'Sean 4, D. Ross 3, Jed 3'

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|| SportsShooter.com: News Item: Posted 2006-10-01

'Sean 4, D. Ross 3, Jed 3'
SportsShooter.com members Sean Connelley, D. Ross Cameron and Jed Jacobsohn took part in the Pop-Fly Challenge in San Francisco.

By Brad Mangin, SportsShooter.com

Photo by Brad Mangin

Contestants D. Ross Cameron, Jed Jacobsohn and Sean Connelley gather before the Hebrew National Pop Fly Challenge on September 30, 2006 at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

"It ain't braggin' if you can back it up." - Dizzy Dean

SportsShooter.com member and Oakland Tribune staff photographer Sean Connelley was very confident on Saturday afternoon before he was about to compete against fellow Oakland Tribune staffer and SportsShooter.com member D. Ross Cameron and Getty Images senior staff photographer and SportsShooter.com member Jed Jacobsohn in the Pop Fly Challenge before the Dodgers vs. Giants game at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

"I'm not going down. I'm a machine," said Connelley as he gathered with his competitors minutes before they were to head onto the lush green grass in right field to try and catch four fly balls coming 350 feet out of a pitching machine.

San Francisco Giants team photographer and SportsShooter.com member Andy Kuno organized Saturday's event. Since last year's challenge (http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/1461) involving Bay Area photographers Deanne Fitzmaurice, Mickey Palmer and Thearon Henderson was such a hit, Kuno decided to gather a new group of sports shooters this year to compete. Kuno made arrangements with the Giants promotions staff on Friday night and the three contestants were rounded up and readied for the contest.

“I think Sean is going to win- but Jed’s the dark horse, even though he doesn’t want to wear the helmet,” said Kuno before the contest.

Jacobsohn was pretty confident. “I’m gonna win. No doubt about it. I hope I don’t look as bad as Mickey did last year, but it’s a tough sky,” Jacobsohn said.

Click here to see a special gallery of 20 images from the Pop-Fly Challenge:
http://www.sportsshooter.com/brad/2006flyballchallenge

The third contestant, fan-favorite D. Doss Cameron was a little apprehensive before he headed out to patrol the same field that has seen many plays butchered by aging Giants right fielders. “I’m a little nervous. I’m hoping I don’t make a complete fool of myself. It’s going to be a lot of fun. I HAVE to do better than Sean,” said Cameron.

Photo by Brad Mangin

D. Ross Cameron makes a fine catch during the Hebrew National Pop Fly Challenge on September 30, 2006 at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

The three lensmen had a friendly wager going into the contest involving several dollars. “I work for ANG- I can’t afford to lose any money,” said Cameron.

San Francisco Giants Promotions Coordinator Becky Biniek was looking forward to the competition. “Usually we just pick random fans before the game for the contest, but Andy wanted to do this,’ said Biniek.

As the three shooters were nervously waiting their big moment Biniek informed them that the contest was sponsored by Hebrew National. “I’m gonna win for sure now!” said Jacobsohn.

“I’ve got a lot of Jewish friends,” quipped Connelley.

Cameron, who disappointed many of his fans by not wearing one of his trademark photo vests, was very excited to take his position in right field- a place where his beloved Frank Robinson played for many years during his Hall of Fame career. “Robinson was one of the greatest right fielders of all time. He is one of the last Triple Crown winners (1966) and I have his number 20 on all of my jerseys. He is an Oakland native and a former Giants manager,” Cameron gushed, trying to convince the others that Robinson’s spirit would lead to his victory.

In the last few minutes before the nervous walk down the right field line the three compared the leather they brought with them to haul in the long drives. Jacobsohn had his 20-year-old Rawlings Nolan Ryan signature model that he used in Little League. Connelley had a Louisville Slugger softball glove that Jacobsohn thought was “totally unfair.” Cameron was sporting a Nike “Diamond Ready” model on his left hand that was a gift from his girlfriend.

Just before the fun was to begin Associated Press staff photographer and SportsShooter.com member Jeff Chiu showed up between assignments to cheer on his friends. When asked who he thought would win, Chiu whispered “Sean, followed by D. Ross and Jed.”

Photo by Brad Mangin

Sean Connelley points to the sky to thank the Lord after winning the Hebrew National Pop Fly Challenge on September 30, 2006 at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

The contest itself came and went rather quickly with Cameron leading off and catching three out of four balls. Cameron looked good out there, drawing Giants public address announcer Renel Brooks-Moon to tell the growing crowd (that would eventually tally over 42,000) that he looked very focused out there. Jacobsohn was up next and he also caught three out of four. Connelley seemed rather comfortable going last and came through by catching all four fly balls hit to him, earning him the victory that he earlier predicted.

“That was so much fun!” Connelley said while floating off the field. “I have all the respect in the world for my competitors. I owe this to my wife and the Giants. I thought D. Ross looked really good!” added Connelley.

“They gave me a helmet with no logo,” said Cameron. “I wonder if they were trying to tell me something?” he later added.

Veteran Associated Press staff photographer and SportsShooter.com member Eric Risberg used to mentor Connelley. “Mr. Connelley did a nice little dance that I liked at the end. He has style. They all looked great- it was a tough competition,” said Risberg while getting ready to shoot the Dodgers vs. Giants game.

Risberg’s AP co-worker and SportsShooter.com member Marcio Sanchez was questioned about the festivities just before the first pitch. “Jed looked his usual “cool” with his sunglasses on,” said Sanchez.

Even though he was running late for a 1:30pm assignment Chiu agreed to a short interview after the contest. “Sean always seems to win at shit. It pisses me off,” said Chiu.

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