By Nate Jones
Staff Writer
Portland Sea Dogs players took their places at Hadlock Field in Portland last week, not on the pitchers mound or behind home plate, but in front of the lens of a Kennebunk photographer. Liam Crotty has been recreating the work of Norman Rockwell with his camera for the past three months in preparation for a exhibit honoring the iconic artist.
Crotty and Art of The Play Art Director, Danie Connolly, joined forces in the outfield to erect a backdrop of fishing line and small lead weights to reproduce the raindrops seen in Rockwell’s “Game Called Because of Rain,” as real rain clouds formed overhead.
“It’s perfect,” Crotty said as Boston Red Sox intern Chris Ducombe donned an umpire outfit and took center stage for the photo.
Behind Ducombe, Sea Dogs intern Ryan Durrell posed as Waldoboro native, Major League Baseball player and coach Clyde Sukeforth, portrayed in the original Rockwell painting nearly 50 years ago. Sukeforth – who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds, and coached Jackie Robinson in his first Major League game – died at the age of 99 in 2000.
Crotty and Connolly said they were unaware of the Maine connection to “Game Called Because of Rain” when they originally earmarked it for reproduction, but local ties to the painting became clear as Crotty researched the scene depicted in the painting.
“I said ‘Oh my God, Clyde is from Waldoboro!’” Crotty said.
During the photo shoot, Sea Dogs Assistant Manager Chris Cameron said he remembered sitting next to Sukeforth at a game when he was a child. He said although he didn’t know who he was, his father recognized him and asked Sukeforth to sign a baseball.
“That Rockwell painting always meant something a little special to me, knowing Sukeforth was involved in it,” he said.
Cameron said he still has the signed ball.
“There are a lot of neat coincidences that come up,” Crotty said.
Sea Dogs pitchers Bo Vaughan, Matt Goodson and Mike James teamed up with third baseman Andrew Pinckney to reproduce more of Rockwell’s famous Saturday Evening Post covers; “The Rookie,” “The Glorious Sweep” and “100 Years of Baseball.”
Crotty said working “on the fly” was the most challenging aspect of the project. Rockwell – who Crotty said was known for “staging nearly everything” before he began painting in his studio – had the luxury of adding expression, lighting and color where he wanted to, whereas Crotty had to be satisfied with just a camera and flash.
“He had a lot more control over the images,” he said. “With photography, we’re dealing with live people and live weather. You do what you can.”
Crotty said fond memories of Rockwell’s work from his childhood attracted him to the project.
“When I was 10, my parents gave me a Norman Rockwell picture book,” he said. “I can remember loving the imagery, color and detail. I thought ‘OK, I’ll try one.’”
The first photo shoot of “The Runaway” at the Maine Diner in Wells  went so well, Crotty said he agreed to participate in a larger role, and for the past three months has collaborated with Connolly to arrange and photograph scenes similar to Rockwell’s paintings.
“It’s fun, I love it,” he said.
The images will be part of a three day tribute (see below) – beginning Friday, Aug. 15 – to Rockwell’s work, which includes exhibits by other local artists and photographers, film showings, skits by local playwrights and specialty meals all designed to bring the personalities and scenes of his paintings to life, Connolly said.