5/24 - The Beginning of a Nightcap

Sorry guys that I wasn't able to shoot the whole game! I needed to leave early to work for MLB.com, but no worries. Still plenty of photos from the nightcap! 

The first three batters of the Cubs' starting lineup is shown on the sign at Principal Park before the game. 

Cubs clubhouse manager Steven Seipel pushes the pitching machine back to the clubhouse before the game. 

Cubs head groundskeeper Chris Schlosser waters the infield before the game. 

Cubs center fielder Brett Jackson smiles in the dugout before the game. 

Cubs shortstop Javy Baez signs autographs at the dugout before the game. 

Cubs starter Chris Rusin delivers a pitch against the Sky Sox in the first inning. 

Cubs manager Marty Pevey, coaching third base, waves Javy Baez home during the first inning. 

The Cubs' Javy Baez slides safely into home plate to score against the Sky Sox in the first inning. 

The Cubs' Casper Wells hits a blooper to center field in the first inning. 

The right-field scoreboard is shown while the Cubs' Luis Flores is batting in the third inning. 

The Cubs' Logan Watkins dives for third base to complete a triple in the third inning. 

Logan Watkins celebrates with Marty Pevey after hitting a triple in the third inning. 

The Cubs' Chris Rusin (#21) celebrates with Lars Anderson and Craig McFarling (right) after scoring against the Sky Sox. 

Cubs starter Chris Rusin throws to a Sky Sox batter in the third inning in front of the Des Moines skyline. 

5/24 - Team Photo Behind-The-Scenes

Javy Baez takes an early batting practice before the team photo session. 

Cubs catcher Luis Flores poses for a photo before the team photo.

Scott sailor, the Cubs' Director of Communication (blue shirt), commands the team photo shoot. 

5/18 - Iowa rocks the Express, 9-8

Principal Park from centerfield before the game between the Cubs and the Express. 

Javy Baez and long-time bat boy Craig McFarling pose for a photo before the game. 

Cubs right fielder Brett Jackson sprints to catch a fly ball. 

Cubs left fielder Josh Vitters pedals backwards to catch a fly ball. 

Cubs second baseman Arismendy Alcantara fields a ground ball. 

The Cubs' Javy Baez hits a sacrifice fly in the third inning. 

Cubs manager Marty Pevey is ejected by home-plate umpire Spencer Flynn in the third innings for arguing balls and strikes. 

The Cubs' Christian Villanueva slices a double during the fourth inning. 

The Cubs' Christian Villanueva dives for second base to earn himself a double in the fourth inning. 

The Cubs' Brett Jackson is caught stealing at third base during the fourth inning. 

Cubs left fielder Matt Szczur, who replaced Josh Vitters, makes a throw back to the infield. 

Cubs catcher Luis Flores tags out the Express' Brent Lillibridge in the fourth inning. 

The Cubs' Chris Valaika hits an RBI single in the fifth inning. 

Cubs third baseman Christian Villanueva looks on between innings. 

5/13 - I-Cubs Didn't Sound Good Today, Lose Against Nashville

Cubs coach Brian Harper talks with infielders Arismendy Alcantara, Christian Villanueva and Javier Baez before the game against the Sounds. 

Cubs catch Luis Flores chats with a young fan before the game. 

Cubs starter Chris Rusin slings a pitch to the plate during the first inning against the Sounds. 

The Cubs' Chris Valaika puts the bat on the ball during the second inning against the Sounds. 

Young fans in the crowd dance for the video board between innings. 

Cubs third baseman Christian Villanueva makes the throw to first base for an out against the Sounds. 

Cubs shortstop Javier Baez attempts to turn a double play while forcing out the Sounds' Pete Orr at second base.

Cubs second baseman Arismendy Alcantara fields a grounder and make an off-balance throw to first base for an out. 

Cubs trainer Ryan Clausen checks on catcher Luis Flores who got banged up on the previous play. 

Cubs manager Marty Pevey (#30) talks with the team on the mound during the seventh inning. 

Cubs reliever Jeff Antigua delivers against the Sounds during the ninth inning. 

5/12 - Market to Market Relay Race

In the second annual Market to Market Relay Race in Iowa, my father and some of his neighborhood running buddies teamed up to encounter the 75-mile journey through the farmlands of Central Iowa and downtown Des Moines. The team also participated in last year’s race and finished in 12^th place out of 205 teams in. This year, the Benders Buddies team ran to a 23^rd place out of the larger field of 263.

The team ran in the memory of Mike Bender, a highly-respected runner in the Des Moines area who lost his battle with cancer earlier this year.

The Bender Buddies team relaxes and poses for a team photo in the transition area in Ortonville, Iowa. 

Brad Nielsen looks on while he warms up for a stage in Ortonville, Iowa. 

Andy Roats finishes up his stage and passes the baton to Tim Schott in Ortonville, Iowa. 

The Bender Buddies team walk to the transition area in Waukee, Iowa. 

Tim Schott strides down the Raccoon River Valley Trail in Stage 13. 

The Bender Buddies discuss running strategies in Waukee, Iowa. 

Jeff Farrell receives the baton from Brad Nielsen at the start of Stage 14 in Clive, Iowa. 

Tom Heuer pushes for the finishing kick after a rain storm in Ashworth Park in Des Moines, Iowa. 

Mike Gould takes off for the beginning of Stage 16 on the Bill Riley Trail in Des Moines, Iowa. 

Mike Gould and Andy Roats team up for the Group Finish across the Union Railroad Bridge over the Des Moines River in downtown. 

The Bender Buddies team runs together in the home stretch of the 75-mile relay race in downtown Des Moines.  

The Bender Buddies teammates (From L to R) Andy Roats, Tom Heuer, Mike Gould, Jeff Farrell, Tim Schott and David Courtad pose for a team photo at the end. The team ran the race in the memory of Mike Bender.