Former San Quentin Rehabilitation Center’s baseball players played their annual alumni game against the SQ Giants at the Field of Dreams.
Resident Robert Nash pitched his third game of the season, helping the SQ Giants by giving up no earned runs while striking out five batters en route to leading the home team to a victory over the formerly incarcerated alumni 17-5.
Attending the Lower Yard match up, Channel Two News journalist Bailey O’Carroll spoke about why she loved working as a sports reporter. “Events like these bring people together,” said O’Carroll. “I built my life and career around the philosophy that sports are a difference-maker in people’s lives.”
Alum pitcher and event organizer Branden Terrell threw heat to start the game. The competition evenly matched up to the top of the third inning, which began with a tied score of 4-4.
The tie did not last long as the SQ Giants’ bats got hot in the bottom of the third, hitting through the line-up to take the lead 9-4.
Having paroled after serving almost 22 years of a life sentence, Chris “Stretch” Rich said he has not played on the field of Dreams since 2010. Having played for eight seasons during his prison term, he said the baseball program has always had great meaning.
“This game helps to instill values of both team work and community,” said Rich. “It’s great to come back here and play with these guys again and continue to set an example for the next generation.”
Both teams traded runs in the fourth, before SQ Giants Anthony “T-Tone” Denard found the centerfield gap in the 5th, driving home shortstop Carrington Russelle with a RBI double that extended the Giants lead to 11-5. Joy radiated from the spectators and players alike.
San Quentin Associate Warden Ponce said reunions like the alumni game have importance because they showed the true character of the returning players and gave the residents something to which to look forward.
“It’s important for people to see the continued progress of the released guys and their ability to succeed out in society,” Ponce said.
SQ Giants Jarred “Deuce” Williams had an extraordinary day. His highlight reel included hot fielding around second base, including a play in which he dove, completely stretched to nab a scorched line drive.
In the bottom of the sixth, Williams hit a grand slam that soared past the center fielder, clearing the bases before his teammates gave him high fives while he rounded third on his way to home plate.
The alumni team made one last effort to mount a comeback before the game ended 17-5 in the seventh-inning.
The lived experience of playing on the Field of Dreams brought out feelings of camaraderie and optimism during this game.
SQ Giants assistant coach David Roy said the game gave him hope and understanding as he could imagine the opportunity of getting out and coming back in to play.
“This game shows the resident players how valuable the baseball program is,” Roy said.
After the game, both teams circled-up around the mound as the alumni players gave personal testimony about their new lives outside of prison.
With a sentimental tone in his voice, first baseman alum Chris Deragon ended the day with encouraging words for the players and coaches. “It’s not the things that happened in life that defines who you are, it’s what you do with those things that define who you become.”
