Bob Otto - Official ISC Photographer - Another Unsung Hero
By Al Doran

September 4, 2000

As the 2000 ISC's came to an end, we paid tribute to Gary Baughman, I.S.C. Statistician who worked so hard through the tournament to bring us those all-important line scores, box scores, individual and team stats. Gary has now reviewed all those stats and the latest corrected versions are up on our ISC web site at http://fastpitch-softball.com/

See:
Order of Finish
Line Scores
Team Statistics
Individual Statistics
2000 All World Teams

One of Gary's colleagues and another unsung hero is Bob Otto, the official I.S.C. Photographer. For the past few weeks Bob has been going through his thousands of pictures from the 2000 World Tournament and has picked out a good selection to scan and add to our web site. Check 2000 World Tournament Pictures to see some great photos of players, fans, etc.

Bob goes about his work very quietly during the World Tournament, taking pictures of anything interesting in the park. This year he took over 100 rolls of film, almost 2,500 pictures. We have selected a number of these for the ISC web site and we hope you find pictures of your team, friends, etc. If not, and you want a picture of someone special, contact Bob Otto MAILTO:bobotto@gte.net and he may have one you are looking for.

Bob has been shooting fastpitch softball for 10 years now - six with the ISC - and he has thousands of negatives of players and teams on file from the "C" through the Major divisions. He also shot the ASA Men's Major in '94, the USA Women's and Men's national teams, one 40-Over Masters, girl's high school softball for newspapers and magazines, the UCLA Bruins, and countless men's tourneys throughout southern California.

"Financially it's an expensive hobby, but by budgeting and selling a few photographs here and there, it helps heal the wound in my wallet a bit. All in all, it's been very rewarding to document this great sport. I don't know how much longer I'll continue, but when my trusty old Nikon 300 mm telephoto lens finally can't go anymore, and then I'll probably hang it up too. But it's still sharp and focused as ever."

"I'm 52-years-old, married to wife Nanette for 26 years. We have a beautiful daughter (and happily married, you skirt-chasing, beer guzzling, diamond dogs!) and a son Brian, 21, in college in Ashland, Oregon. Plus two wonderful grandchildren; Cameron, 8, and Haylee 2. As of Monday, Aug. 21, I'm now a retired 22-year insurance agent. But not retired for long. Once the batteries are recharged in a few weeks, I'll be out there pounding the pavement exploring new opportunities."

The other photographer you may have seen in St. Joseph was Greg Beechner. Greg took all the team pictures, but not many action shots, that was Bob's area. Greg's address is 2710 Delaware St., St. Joseph, MO 64506. Greg's phone number is (816) 364-2380.

Bob had a bit of help this year with the action shots. "My buddy at the World Tourney was Merle Brendeland. Merle lives in Iowa, but we met playing fastpitch when he lived in Redlands, Calif. Merle moved his family back home to Iowa about 10 years ago when a job offer came along that he couldn't refuse. Merle loves fastpitch, and he's a great help to me at the World Tourney. When I'm out on the field, or when a photo op comes along and I'm running to catch it, it's then that my "guard dog" goes on duty. I've told him whatever it takes - whether the cost be life or limb - protect that camera bag!"

Thanks again to Bob for his great work in St. Joe. Another unsung hero.

Bob Otto's Contact information:
Bob Otto
34070 Mariposa St.
Yucaipa, CA 92399
(909) 790-1666
E-Mail Address: bobotto@gte.net