This was the last photo I took with my good friend, former umpire and colleague named Dale. You wouldn't know him but this photo was a promise unfilled in that Dale and I were working on a project to capture the baesball fields in West Covina, California with the San Gabriel Mountains covered in snow. We never got the shot but this was the one that I gave to him to get the job opportunity. He earned the opporutnity and we were simply waiting for snow to reach a low enough altitude to cover the mountains and frame the ball fields with.
Unfortunately, Dale came down with cancer. We were extremely hopeful as he had a twin brother who beat the same type of cancer just a year before and they both think the cancer was the result of chemicals they were exposed to while cleaning locomotives. His previous career before becoming an umpire and aerial photographer. Sadly, he lost the battle to cancer about two months ago.
I dedicate this to one of the kindest, funniest and sharpest men I have known.
This picture is dedicated to Dale, rest in peace brother. I sincerely hope you and your son are catching up and playing ball in heaven.