what setting to use for softball as it gets darker

[mwt]

I have a RebelXT with a 28/300 Sigma lense that I use for taking pics of my kid playing softball.

I mainly use the Sports/action mode but as it gets twilight obviously it starts getting blurry.

I know I cant use the sports mode and take sequence pics anymore but what would be a good setting to start with and adjust from there?

I have had it for a few months and daytime shots are getting better and better but the twilight time even with the field lights is kicking my butt. I have tried a few different settings but nothing is working very well.

Thanks
Mike

[Canuck935]

Gotta up the ISO...

[livin4lax09]

bumping ISO isn't always the answer. the first thing you can do is open the lens up all the way. make sure it's on its widest aperture, or the smallest f number. for you, this means between 4 and 5.6, i believe. second thing you can do, since you do have a ranging f/stop lens, is to take your photos with less of a lens length, such as shooting at 200mm instead of 300mm. this will allow you use a bigger f stop, to freeze action better. third thing to do is learn how to use motion to your advantage, such as panning. foruth, you can shoot with a flash. and then there's always upping the ISO. but shooting in Av will allow you to stop action better than sports mode. don't let your camera do all the work. I believe sports settings only use up to ISO 400 anyways.

[Canuck935]

... don't let your camera do all the work...

You know, that is probably the best piece of advice ever. I had read your post but then came back to it after a couple minutes once I realized just how powerful a statement that is. Thinking about it, the main ingredient to people improving their photography is coming to the realization that YES! Indeed they are smarter than the camera.