Staphont Smith, a player for the San Quentin Giants, discusses his baseball history and the importance of teamwork.
How long have you been playing for the San Quentin Giants?
I’ve been playing for the S.Q. Giants for two years.
What organized baseball teams did you play for when you were out?
I played for Rubido High School in Riverside, California. I played at Riverside City College.
Have you ever tried to go professional?
Yes. I actually fell in the draft because I got into some trouble in high school. I was drafted by the California Angels, and the Milwaukee Brewers. The class I went with was Gary Shefield, Chris Brown, who plays with the Giants, B.J. Surhoff and Greg Myers, who ended up being drafted by the Angels. He played in the ’92 World Series with the Blue Jays.
I also played in the winter ball series. I played with Myers and Jefferies. It’s baseball year-round. It’s a league where you can fine tune your skills.
When did you first start plaing baseball?
When I first started playing, I was 10 years old.
How were you introduced to baseball?
My grandmother, August Mae Thomas, introduced me to baseball.
I used to help her in her garden, I would throw tomatoes, she would throw them at me, and I would start catching them. She took me to Dodger games.
How‘s your performance for the S.Q. Giants?
Right now I’m playing exceptionally well with the support of teammates. I had a fractured orbital.
Before I was injured, I was batting over .450 and since my return from my injury, I’m 10 for 16.
Does baseball help you to cope with adversity?
Yes, it does. That’s where I can find my peace. I can have fun. It’s constantly thinking there is always a decision made in baseball. In baseball, the wrong decision can cost you the game. Playing baseball helps me use my brain a bit more. During those nine innings, I’m not in prison. My only objective is to make contact.
What kind of life skills can you learn through playing baseball?
You cannot be selfish and you have to rely on your teammates. It’s a humbling sport. It helps your decision-making. I’ve found out a lot about myself in this sport. It reveals your temper.
What do you consider a good teammate?
A teammate is a guy who humbles himself and cheers on the other guy. He sets aside his personal differences and supports you.
When things are not going well for the team, are you still able to have fun?
It’s not if you win or lose. It’s having fun. When the game was introduced to me, I had fun. Just like the times my grandmother and I spent in the garden, we had fun.
Do you consider baseball to be rehabilitative?
I would say it’s rehabilitative. You can build a network system. It’s a sport where you have nine guys to be there with you. Michael Jordan had several men playing with him to win his championships.
Do you think men should take advantage of the rehabilitative programs in San Quentin?
I think that’s very important if we’re working on ourselves inside these walls. Then we can be better inside these walls and outside.
