Aggergaard Photo

The People's Municipal Ballpark in Eagle Lake, a/k/a The People's Stadium, was stop no. 47 on my ongoing tour of Minnesota's amateur ball fields.

The 2:00 p.m. game was under nearly full June sun, which is not ideal for game-action photos. But there were just enough puffy clouds to put on a panoramic show. And spectators have good options for sitting in the shade, particularly in the outfield.

The field is the third I've encountered so far with bluffs on at least one baseline, which makes spectating from a distance a lot of fun. (The others so far are in Waterville and McMurray Field in St. Paul.) The pond in center field was a particularly nice backdrop. And low fences along the third-base foul line are great for photography.

Thanks for the hospitality, Eagle Lake Expos Baseball. Here are some photos from Sunday's visit. More fields and photos to come!

Eagle Lake Expos Baseball and Le Sueur Braves, here are game photos from Sunday's game in Eagle Lake. The comments have a link to more photos, as well as a link to photos specifically from the field. The People's Ball Park was stop no. 47 on my ongoing tour of Minnesota's baseball fields. A sharp-looking field on a sharp day! I enjoyed the visit!

Le Sueur Baseball Association

Bell Field in Faribault was my 46th stop on my ongoing tour of Minnesota's amateur baseball fields.

Built in 1949, Bell Field is solid -- from its construction to its layout for watching and photographing baseball. The grandstand, scaled back from the original expansive one, keeps spectators safe from inclement weather, which was threatening the field during Friday night's visit. And there's ample room along the foul lines for spectators too.

Friday's 7:30 p.m. game between the Faribault Lakers and Waseca Braves began in nearly full sun, which is fun because it lets me take pictures in "golden hour," the hour before sunset. But soon after the game started, the crowds rolled in big time. And although the rain stayed away more or less, I had to bring out my nighttime lenses earlier than I had hoped.

Still, I got some fun shots of the field, including a two-run home run captured with a wide-angle lens. Sort of a rare catch for a sports photographer.

Here are some photos. More fields and photos to come.

Some game photos from Faribault Lakers vs. Waseca Braves Friday evening in Faribault.

The baseball field at Noble Sports Park was no. 45 on my ongoing tour of Minnesota's amateur baseball fields. Here are some photos.

Owned and operated by the city of Brooklyn Park, the field is home to the Champlin Park LoGators, last season's runner-up in the Class A championship. Given the team's success, their field was high on my list for a visit this year.

Monday night's high-scoring (and long) game against the Shoreview Stumpgrinders didn't disappoint, and neither did the field. Although city-owned fields do not have the wooden balconies, beer gardens, advertisements, and other features of "town ball" parks, the complex was sharp and well-lit and the field itself very well maintained. The suburban homes were a fitting backdrop for the community's baseball team.

The 7:30 start let me take pictures in "golden hour," an hour before sunset, and the teams were great photo material.

A link to more photos including game photos is in the comments. More fields and photos to come.

Shoreview Stumpgrinders and Champlin Park LoGators, here are photos from Monday night's game. The sun was gorgeous, and you are a photogenic bunch! Thanks for letting me hang out in the dugouts for a bit. The comments have a link to more photos.

Minnesota Baseball Association

Highland Park in Watertown was the 44th stop on my ongoing tour of Minnesota's amateur baseball fields.

Saturday's game between Watertown Red Devils Baseball and the Winsted Wildcats was about as sunny as it gets, which makes photo taking less than ideal. But I managed to get some nice shots of the super sharp grandstand and field, as well as some game-action photos. The comments have a link to more pics.

I had a nice chat with longtime Watertown resident Ken Anderson, who provided some history of the town and town ball. He gifted me a Watertown history souvenir album with photos including a team photo of the 1951 amateur baseball state champions from Watertown. It was pretty cool ... and a poignant reminder that photos endure well after we're gone.

It was good motivation to keep on my town-ball tour as time allows. More fields and photos to come!

Here are game-action photos from Thursday's Section 2AA high school baseball championship, Le Sueur-Henderson vs. Cannon Falls. The comments have a link to more photos.

Le Sueur-Henderson "Giants" Activities
Le Sueur Baseball Association

Section 2AA baseball championship game: smiles, sportsmanship, and some bittersweetness for the Le Sueur-Henderson Giants on Thursday.

Congrats on a stellar season and runner-up finish. You were impressive and classy to the end.

Game photos coming separately. The comments have a link to the photo album with game photos, group photos, etc.

Le Sueur-Henderson "Giants" Activities
Le Sueur Baseball Association

Some photos from Minnesota Baseball Association St. Paul League action Monday evening: St. Paul Mudhens vs. Twin City Saints. Mudhens won 14-2 in 7 innings.