Hey, thanks for the replies.

I can see what everyone is saying about the first picture being out of focus. The main reason for getting this new camera was to take better sports pictures of the kids, but it turns out to be more than a little addictive taking other pictures as I've been learning. With the first picture I was trying to figure out the best methods of eliminating blur on a moving object as it got closer to sunset (about the time of soccer games).

Both angles were due to the sun setting behind me and the surrounding buildings and trees showing up in the background.

I've been reading and practicing over the last couple of weeks and slowly improving.

Again, thanks.