Buxton watches as the ball heads toward the outfield wall.
photo by Tim Evearitt
Buxton is on his way with triple on his mind.
photo by Tim Evearitt
Buxton is in full stride as he approaches first base.
photo by Tim Evearitt
Buxton nears second base.
photo by Tim Evearitt
Buxton angles for his turn at second.
photo by Tim Evearitt
Buxton rounds the bag.
photo by Tim Evearitt
Buxton eyes third and manager Doug Mientkiewicz in the coach's box.
photo by Tim Evearitt
Almost there. No need to slide.
photo by Tim Evearitt
He shouts and kicks up his heels in excitement
photo by Tim Evearitt
He catches his breath.
photo by Tim Evearitt
The manager is there to give him instructions on what is next.
photo by Tim Evearitt
It has been my privilege to be the reporter who follows the Chattanooga Lookouts for our website. I have been doing this the past 15 years. Before that, I attended a host of Lookout games including the championship series in 1988 - the last time Chattanooga won the Southern League title.
In 2012 I was in awe of future Reds' star Billy Hamilton who set the Minor League record for stolen bases. On August 21, 2012, Hamilton stole a record 146th base in his 120th game of the season for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
Billy Hamilton would get a huge lead off first base.
But Byron Buxton is the most exciting prospect I have seen. The top draft choice of the Twins in 2012, steals bases, covers the outfield superbly, has an arm like a cannon, can hit home runs BUT what I love best is his abililty to hit triples. Buxton admits that whenever he drives the ball to the wall, he leaves the batter's box with one thing on his mind -- triple.
Thursday night Buxton hit his league-leading sixth triple. It could be argued that hitting a triple is more difficult than hitting a home run. The home run leader in the Southern League is teammate Adam Walker with seven. Alex Glenn of Mobile has hit four triples.
I was seated in the front row down the first base line about 200 feet beyond first base when I captured several photos of Buxton's triple.
Watch Buxton as leaves the batter's box like he's been struck by lightning. After that, it's off to the races.
Notice the excitement Buxton demonstrates after he reaches third base. He is one happy camper.
How many more triples lie ahead? Time will tell. I hope I am there to capture the action.
General manager Terry Ryan is in Chattanooga to take a look at some of the premier talent in the Twins system.
The Lookouts play at AT&T field for the next three days before beginning a road-trip. Game time Friday night is 7:15 p.m.