A prince of a first baseman

It's fun to photograph a rising baseball star when he's still in the minor leagues.

When I saw Prince Fielder play in 2004, he was a 20-year-old first baseman for the Huntsville Stars of the Southern League.

It was apparent that this hefty slugger was a shoo-in for the majors. And he's proven his worth with the Milwaukee Brewers, slamming 84 home runs over the past two seasons.

I took this photo on Aug. 27, 2004, during a game Fielder played against the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx at Pringles Park in Jackson, Tenn.

Images of Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Ala.

I had heard many stories about Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Ala., but never took time to drop by for a visit until I shot these images in fall 2004.

Willie Mays and Satchell Paige are among the baseball legends who graced the green grass at America's oldest professional ballpark.

The city's double-A Barons played at Rickwood for many years before leaving after the 1987 season for a new ballpark in suburban Hoover. 

But the cozy park built in 1910 still hosts the annual Rickwood Classic, which pits the Barons against a fellow Southern League foe, as well as small college games.

I hope to attend a future Rickwood Classic to experience what baseball was like many years ago. 

Until then, I reckon these images will have to do.

For more on the ballpark, check out the Friends of Rickwood blog.