Went to the mounds this afternoon when JFK switched from 31R/L to 22R/L for landings. I got there and it was quiet with only about 5 kids playing in the field. I took a spot to the left of the sand track up to the mound and was alone for about a half hour when two cars showed up and 3 fellow spotters came out. They took up position to my right on the opposite side... did not say hello or even wave yet seemed friendly enough.
Car 1 had one gentleman, older with a scanner, the other car had three young man and an older gentleman remained in the car.
Within 5 minutes, an NYPD cruiser stopped beside the rear car and got out and began to question the gentleman in the driver's seat. I was in plain sight of the officers and continued shooting as if nothing was going on. They would look at me but never requested my attention.
The other spotters returned to their friend and by now everyone was next to the wooden fence talking it up. One of the officers asked to inspect the scanner the one gentleman was carrying. I kept on shooting as if nothing happening.
Finally the officers left and everyone returned to the mound. The gentleman with the scanner left the scene. I made my way over to the other spotters remaining and introduced myself as any friendly NYC spotter should and would :-)
They are church members visiting from Philly. They said the officers were friendly enough but said that scanners were illegal. I kindly told them that was not correct that scanners are not illegal to own or operate but are illegal to operate in a vehicle in New York City.
I think the officers knew this because they never arrested the gentleman with the scanner nor did they summon him.
Anyway, the whole situation seemed to be calm, professional and without incident. We remained up until the sun went down about an hour later and left happy with some nice shots.
Although while I was putting away my camera, quite dark, the special jet blue with the bubbles paint scheme landed :-( I would have killed to get it while the light was still good!
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