Five years ago, I had the enviable task of capturing the first pitch at the opening of Nationals Park. The plan was for the photograph to then be turned into a poster distributed stadium-wide after the game. Major League Baseball pitchers throw pretty fast, so it was an exciting proposition.

The camera rig was designed to produce 15 frames of stop action per second. The first pitch went 90 miles an hour so we got the ball in action in 3 frames. Because the ball was moving so fast, it registered as a streak instead of a ball. That’s why it’s visible in the picture. Fooled them again!

Two hours later, posters of the photograph were distributed to fans as they left the stadium. The Nationals were also victorious, beating the Marlins by one run. Go Nats!

The photograph is featured in DC PHOTO BOOK: An Insider’s View of Washington, DC.