Known for running marathons around the world with homeless people, Judge Craig Mitchell visited a state prison with about 20 other runners for a race with the San Quentin 1000 Mile Running Club. “This was an experience none of us will ever forget,” Justice Mitchell said. On Oct. 13, about 21 people from all walks of life – college students, formerly incarcerated men, film & fashion industry people, a college professor, community volunteers, recovering addicts – traveled from Los Angeles to take part in the event. They represented … [Read more...] about Los Angeles Running Club races at San Quentin
Sports
SQ Earthquakes keep clean sheet in 2-0 win over the Outsiders
Acting as goal keeper for the San Quentin Earthquakes, Don Spence kept a clean sheet in a 2-0 victory over the visiting Outsider soccer team. “This is the first game all year we haven’t scored,” soccer program sponsor Andrew Crawford said after the game. “We played well, you guys played better.” Both teams were short key players and had to borrow soccer players from the San Quentin B-Team. “We have no strikers today, only a bunch of defenders,” Outsider midfielder Jordi Ortiz said. For the San Quentin Earthquakes, the guys they … [Read more...] about SQ Earthquakes keep clean sheet in 2-0 win over the Outsiders
San Quentin alumni returned for baseball season finale
The red-hot San Quentin A’s baseball team wrapped up their season with a fierce battle against an alumni in late October. After 20 years, Brain McGrath walked back into San Quentin with his Fresno HardCor team. The game ended with a stunning finish, where McGrath and company fell 16-15 to his old alma mater. “It feels better coming back this time because I get to go home,” said McGrath, in deep reflection. “When I was in--I knew I had to do something good for my daughter. At least 80 percent of people come back to prison and I made up my … [Read more...] about San Quentin alumni returned for baseball season finale
Old fashion baseball revived on the Lower Yard
The San Quentin baseball program was transported back to 1886 to close out its season. The Bay Area’s Vintage Baseball League transformed San Quentin’s Field of Dreams with old-time uniforms and baseball mitts resembling gardening gloves. Old Timer Baseball - Players wearing vintage 1896 gloves and uniforms San Quentin A’s players were rotated in with the various Vintage League team members for two exhibition games. All the rules of the game and team mascots from that earlier time were implemented. “We feel obligated to share the … [Read more...] about Old fashion baseball revived on the Lower Yard
Runner’s challenge to track club record stymied by alarms
A 40-minute disturbance at San Quentin State Prison blew incarcerated runner Eddie Herena’s chance to take back first place in the 1000 Mile Running Club’s two- hour race Sept. 7. “It would have been the ideal ending to my difficult but triumphant prison experience,” said Herena, who paroled Oct. 20. At 5 feet 2 inches, 137-pound Herena was the best runner in the 1000 Mile Running Club at San Quentin until Markelle “The Gazelle” Taylor came along in 2015. Taylor, chiseled with long legs and zero body fat, broke all of Herena’s … [Read more...] about Runner’s challenge to track club record stymied by alarms
Prison Sports Ministry PSM edges Hardtimers, 36-34
On a picture-perfect Sept. 9 day, the Prison Sports Ministry (PSM) softball team finally got to celebrate a second victory by defeating the San Quentin Hardtimers, 36-34. The Hardtimers had triumphed in five of the last six meetings. “It was a great game, and it’s awesome to be here, but it’s nice to be on the other side of losing for a change,” Bryce of PSM said. The game started in the bottom of the first inning when Hardtimer Richard Zorns knocked in teammate Ricky Romero to score the team’s first run. In the second inning, PSM … [Read more...] about Prison Sports Ministry PSM edges Hardtimers, 36-34
San Quentin Warriors take visiting Lincoln Hill in overtime
The visiting Lincoln Hill basketball team took the San Quentin Warriors into over- time but fell short, 77-66. “Great game; one of the best games we had,” Lincoln Hill center Dominique Thompson said. “A lot of lead changes—tight until the end.” Lincoln Hill, named after the church of pastor Miguel Rodriquez, visits the court on the prison yard more to win over souls than to win the game. In fact, Rodriquez had just returned from a trip to Japan, a country he says is less than 1 percent Christian, to spread the gospel. Still, Lincoln Hill … [Read more...] about San Quentin Warriors take visiting Lincoln Hill in overtime
Seattle spend 4 days with A’s on the Lower Yard
Nicole S. grounded out to the pitcher, but she made history. Accompanying a Seattle baseball team on a visit, Nicole became the first woman ever to bat a hardball at San Quentin State Prison, which was established in 1854. Holding her baseball bat high and wearing a burgundy jersey with Seattle pasted on the front and No. 5 on the back, Nicole played in a Sept. 15 exhibition game and faced Mike Kremer, San Quentin’s A’s civilian sponsor, and worked the pitcher to a 3-0 count. Kremer throw an off-speed pitch which Nicole smacked, … [Read more...] about Seattle spend 4 days with A’s on the Lower Yard
Kings reign unseated by Outsiders basketball team
Over the Labor Day weekend, several basketball players from different Prison Sports Ministry teams teamed up for a game against the San Quentin Kings and won 76-74. “It was tough because everybody had to learn how to play with each other,” Outsider Sponsor John Brewster said. “We played as a team and it went pretty flawless.” While most people were away celebrating Labor Day, eight basketball players— members of the Trailblazers, Green Team, Outsiders and Lincoln Hill—showed up on the Lower Yard to en- joy a game against the Kings … [Read more...] about Kings reign unseated by Outsiders basketball team
A’s triumph over LA Bulldogs in doubleheader
The visiting Southern California Bulldogs ran into a red hot San Quentin A’s baseball team in an Aug. 25 double- header that was described as “magical,” even though the hitters dominated the pitchers. In game one, Bulldog Jake Garvey smacked a booming home run over the left field fence to the cheers of his family. The Bulldogs brought their own fan club, mostly Garvey’s family and a group of umpires from their Southern California Adult Baseball League (SCABL) games. “I go everywhere my son goes to play ball,” said Penny Garvey. “As a mom … [Read more...] about A’s triumph over LA Bulldogs in doubleheader