nick otto

Freelance Photographer

nickotto.visura.co/

Oakland Little League

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Players warm up before the star...d on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

Players warm up before the start of a Babe Ruth little league 10-under baseball game in Oakland on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

Louie Butler lays chalk lines b...ation numbers up in the league.

Louie Butler lays chalk lines before he coaches a Babe Ruth little league 10-under baseball game in Oakland on Saturday, August 14, 2021. Butler, who is eighty-two, is struggling to get participation numbers up in the league.

Braves team mom Angenette Maste...d on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

Braves team mom Angenette Masters helps tie a player’s shoes before the start of a Babe Ruth little league 10-under baseball game in Oakland on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

Coach Louie Butler gives his pl...ation numbers up in the league.

Coach Louie Butler gives his players instructions during a Babe Ruth little league 10-under baseball game in Oakland on Saturday, August 14, 2021. Butler, who is eighty-two, is struggling to get participation numbers up in the league.

Coach Louie Butler greets a pla...ation numbers up in the league.

Coach Louie Butler greets a player before the start of a Babe Ruth little league 10-under baseball game in Oakland on Saturday, August 14, 2021. Butler, who is eighty-two, is struggling to get participation numbers up in the league.

Parents cheer during a Babe Rut...d on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

Parents cheer during a Babe Ruth little league 10-under baseball game in Oakland on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

A broken pitching rubber is see...d on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

A broken pitching rubber is seen before the start of a Babe Ruth little league 10-under baseball game in Oakland on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

Coach Louie Butler rallies his ...ation numbers up in the league.

Coach Louie Butler rallies his team during a Babe Ruth little league 10-under baseball game in Oakland on Saturday, August 14, 2021. Butler, who is eighty-two, is struggling to get participation numbers up in the league.

Braves team mom Angenette Masters watches her son bat from the dugout during a Babe Ruth little league 10-under baseball game in Oakland on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

Players gather in the outfield ...d on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

Players gather in the outfield before the start of a Babe Ruth little league 10-under baseball game in Oakland on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

Coach Louie Butler watches his ...ation numbers up in the league.

Coach Louie Butler watches his team during a Babe Ruth little league 10-under baseball game in Oakland on Saturday, August 14, 2021. Butler, who is eighty-two, is struggling to get participation numbers up in the league.

A player bats during a Babe Rut...d on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

A player bats during a Babe Ruth little league 10-under baseball game in Oakland on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

A runner is tagged out sliding ...d on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

A runner is tagged out sliding into third base during a Babe Ruth little league 10-under baseball game in Oakland on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

A coach gives instructions duri...d on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

A coach gives instructions during a Babe Ruth little league 10-under baseball game in Oakland on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

A batter tries to avoid getting...d on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

A batter tries to avoid getting hit by a pitch during a Babe Ruth little league 10-under baseball game in Oakland on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

The catcher tries to tag out a ...d on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

The catcher tries to tag out a runner during a Babe Ruth little league 10-under baseball game in Oakland on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

A pitcher throws a pitch during...d on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

A pitcher throws a pitch during a Babe Ruth little league 10-under baseball game in Oakland on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

An outfielder throws the ball t...d on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

An outfielder throws the ball to the infield during a Babe Ruth little league 10-under baseball game in Oakland on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

A player’s cap and gl...d on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

A player’s cap and glove are seen before the start of a Babe Ruth little league 10-under baseball game in Oakland on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

PLAY

STOP

GRID

FULL

LOVE

Thumbnail of Players warm up before the start_nd on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

Thumbnail of Louie Butler lays chalk lines be_pation numbers up in the league.

Thumbnail of Braves team mom Angenette Master_nd on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

Thumbnail of Coach Louie Butler gives his pla_pation numbers up in the league.

Thumbnail of Coach Louie Butler greets a play_pation numbers up in the league.

Thumbnail of Parents cheer during a Babe Ruth_nd on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

Thumbnail of A broken pitching rubber is seen_nd on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

Thumbnail of Coach Louie Butler rallies his t_pation numbers up in the league.

Thumbnail of Players gather in the outfield b_nd on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

Thumbnail of Coach Louie Butler watches his t_pation numbers up in the league.

Thumbnail of A player bats during a Babe Ruth_nd on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

Thumbnail of A runner is tagged out sliding i_nd on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

Thumbnail of A coach gives instructions durin_nd on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

Thumbnail of A batter tries to avoid getting _nd on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

Thumbnail of The catcher tries to tag out a r_nd on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

Thumbnail of A pitcher throws a pitch during _nd on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

Thumbnail of An outfielder throws the ball to_nd on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

Thumbnail of A player’s cap and glo_nd on Saturday, August 14, 2021.

Public Project

Oakland Little League

Copyright nick otto 2024

Updated Sep 2021

Topics Baseball, Documentary, Photography, Photojournalism, Sports

In 2019, the percentage of Black players in Major League Baseball dropped under 10% for the first time since 1961. It’s now down to 8%. That decline in Black representation is mirrored by what you’ll see on Bay Area diamonds, or more fundamentally, what you no longer see as far as participation, especially in Oakland, where a local baseball dynasty was built, and now risks being forgotten.

Where a dynasty once reigned, baseball in Oakland clings to survival
As Black participation in baseball declines, so too have cheers from an East Oakland...
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