Monarchs vs. Rockies in Mill Valley
Posted on May 5, 2017
Declan Murphy of the Mill Valley Little League Monarchs pitches against the Rockies at Boyle Park in Mill Valley, California on April 25, 2017. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
Last week I made my fifth annual pilgrimage to one of the finest little ballparks I know. Wrigley Field in Chicago? No. Fenway park in Boston? Guess again. Last Tuesday afternoon I made the drive to historic Boyle Park in Mill Valley, California to photograph the 5:30 pm game between the KC Monarchs and the Rockies. The Monarchs are managed by my good friend Brian Murphy, who is in his fifth season piloting his son Declan’s ballclub. They were the Hot Rods in past seasons, but this year they have moved up a level, and they are honoring the great tradition of the fabled Kansas City Monarchs from the Negro Leagues. They are now pitching, counting outs, keeping score, and declaring a winner at the end of each game.
I first shot the Hot Rods in 2013 and had such a great time I came back for more in 2014, 2015, and 2016. The pictures are always fabulous. Each year I do my best to get as many good pictures as I can of each player. I then upload the edited pictures into a PhotoShelter gallery and allow the parents to download the image files for free so they can do whatever they want with the pictures.
I wrote an extensive blog piece for Mark A. Carruthers about my wonderful experience on Tuesday night, and specifically about a special photograph I shot of a young man named Charlie before the game in the dugout. Please read that story to get more flavor from this special night at Boyle.
Following are a bunch of my favorite images from the ball game. I hope you enjoy them.
Manager Brian Murphy of the Mill Valley Little League Monarchs talks to his team in the dugout before their game against the Rockies at Boyle Park in Mill Valley, California on April 25, 2017. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
Manager Brian Murphy of the Mill Valley Little League Monarchs talks to his team in the dugout before their game against the Rockies at Boyle Park in Mill Valley, California on April 25, 2017. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
Manager Brian Murphy of the Mill Valley Little League Monarchs talks to his team in the dugout before their game against the Rockies at Boyle Park in Mill Valley, California on April 25, 2017. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
Charlie of the Mill Valley Little League Monarchs gets ready in the dugout before their game against the Rockies at Boyle Park in Mill Valley, California on April 25, 2017. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
Charlie of the Mill Valley Little League Monarchs blows a bubble in the dugout before their game against the Rockies at Boyle Park in Mill Valley, California on April 25, 2017. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
Manager Brian Murphy of the Mill Valley Little League Monarchs stands in the box to help warm up his starting pitcher before their game against the Rockies at Boyle Park in Mill Valley, California on April 25, 2017. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
Manager Brian Murphy of the Mill Valley Little League Monarchs talks to his team in the dugout before their game against the Rockies at Boyle Park in Mill Valley, California on April 25, 2017. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
Manager Brian Murphy of the Mill Valley Little League Monarchs confers with his coaching staff during their game against the Rockies at Boyle Park in Mill Valley, California on April 25, 2017. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
A member of the Mill Valley Little League Monarchs pitches during their game against the Rockies at Boyle Park in Mill Valley, California on April 25, 2017. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
Mill Valley Little League Monarchs watch from the dugout during their game against the Rockies at Boyle Park in Mill Valley, California on April 25, 2017. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
A member of the Mill Valley Little League Monarchs bats during their game against the Rockies at Boyle Park in Mill Valley, California on April 25, 2017. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
Manager Brian Murphy of the Mill Valley Little League Monarchs watches from the dugout during their game against the Rockies at Boyle Park in Mill Valley, California on April 25, 2017. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
A member of the Mill Valley Little League Monarchs bats during their game against the Rockies at Boyle Park in Mill Valley, California on April 25, 2017. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
A member of the Mill Valley Little League Monarchs bats during their game against the Rockies at Boyle Park in Mill Valley, California on April 25, 2017. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
Manager Brian Murphy of the Mill Valley Little League Monarchs talks with his son Declan during their game against the Rockies at Boyle Park in Mill Valley, California on April 25, 2017. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
Lucas DiPippa of the Mill Valley Little League Monarchs pitches during their game against the Rockies at Boyle Park in Mill Valley, California on April 25, 2017. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
A member of the Mill Valley Little League Monarchs bats during their game against the Rockies at Boyle Park in Mill Valley, California on April 25, 2017. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
A member of the Mill Valley Little League Monarchs sits on first base during a break in the action during their game against the Rockies at Boyle Park in Mill Valley, California on April 25, 2017. (Photo by Brad Mangin)
Thanks to all of the Monarchs and their parents for letting me photograph them this season, and thanks to Murph for inviting me and my cameras to Boyle Park. Young Rory Murphy is enjoying his rookie season as a five-year-old in Mill Valley this season, so there is a chance I might be making another drive north very soon to shoot Rory and his teammates suiting up for the… Chihuahuas!
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