The San Quentin baseball scoreboard proclaimed “Field of Dreams,” when a visiting team from Southern California encountered enthusiastic baseball players, and not just incarcerated men.
“When we put on that uniform, we are ballplayers and not inmates,” said Giant Rasheed Lockheart. “That’s how I think they see us. We appreciate them coming to play us. Some people’s own families don’t travel this far to visit you. Baseball is bigger than incarceration.”
The visiting Anaheim Angels battled for 10 innings against the S.Q. Giants, winning, 9-6.
The Angels are the Men’s Senior Baseball League World Series champs. They traveled hundreds of miles over six hours for the competition and love of the game.
“Out of all our games we played this season, this is the game most people want to hear about; because you can’t bring phones or camera, so it’s all about the story-telling,” said Angels Head Coach, Rod Shipman.
Before and during the game, Shipman taught some baseball mechanics, from how to properly hold the bat, to seeing the pitches, to the way you should turn to take a pitch. For the pitchers, he taught the different angles to release the ball. Shipman also shared the importance of keeping stats.
“You build your game plan around stats and that’s how we enter our tournaments,” said Shipman. “I’ve been around baseball for 58 years. I developed a lot of players. I’ve worked with different pro organizations as a scout. Now I run the Halo Baseball Club, which consists of four teams and 60 members.”
After an early 2-2 tie, the Angels added four runs in the eighth. Anthony Mitchell hit a single. Doug Ireland belted a line drive double to deep right fi eld to score Mitchell.
Next Phil Shipman hit a single and Sidney Jackson walked. With the bases loaded, Gaston Escudero smashed a shot to deep center fi eld for a double and two RBIs.
The Giants scored two runs in the eighth to close the gap at 6-4 off an error.
With the bases loaded, Angels catcher P. Shipman overthrew third trying to catch a Giant player cheating off the base. The right fielder couldn’t reach the ball in time, scoring two runs.
The Giants came up big in the ninth. After the Angel’s pitcher walked John Appley, Nico Vargas smashed a double to center fi eld. With the tying runs in place, Don Spence belted a line drive to deep left fi eld to score both players. The Giants bench erupted as the score tied, 6-6.
Going into the 10th, Angel Mitchell was hit with a pitch. Ireland followed with a single. Coach R. Shipman got up from the bench and motioned for a double steal. With his son at the plate, the runners took off on the next pitch, catching the Giants defense off guard. Both runners were safe.
The double steal was to move a runner to second and cut off the chance of a double play, said the coach. With the players in position, P. Shipman cracked a shot up the center fi eld gap for a double and two RBIs. Matt Shults singled to score Shipman for the 9-6 lead.
The Giants fought back with the bases loaded and one out. But Coach R. Shipman sent in P. Shipman to relieve Donald Collie. After working a full count, Giant Damon Cooke hit into a double play to end the Aug. 8 game.
“This is the second year that they beat us in extra innings. We really wanted this win,” said Giant Richard Zorn.
Spence added “This is what this program is about; it’s a part of our rehabilitation. It’s a blessing these guys come way out here; it shows we can function in society.”