The San Quentin Giants baseball team is entering spring training with two of its best pitchers ready to unleash their powerful arms. Jeff “Duey” Dumont and John Appley will be ready to keep batters off balance while playing the sport they say makes them better people.
Dumont believes that sports at San Quentin is one of the best self-help groups.
“You get to interact with people from different backgrounds and religions,” said Dumont. “That helps you understand others. You learn how to compromise.”
Dumont credits his pitching coaches over the years with teaching him the right way to play.
“This is a team, and I have a job to do just like everybody else,” said Dumont.
Dumont said the keys to winning are that you have to have a positive dugout and that you play with confidence, whether you are at the plate or on the mound.
“You can’t let your emotions get away from you and stay patient,” said Dumont.
Dumont thinks he has a legitimate chance to parole with the passing of new youth offender rules.
“It’s not a day that goes by where you wish you can take back the things you did as a kid,” said Dumont. “You just have to make amends for those bad decisions.”
Appley added, “Knowing I took someone’s life, I owe it to my victim to live an honest and forthright life, the best I possibly can live.”
“Being a baseball player you have to put your ego aside. You have to take constructive criticism. You have to know they are not attacking you personally but helping you become a better player.”
He said the best teams win because they play together.
“I try to limit my walks. I don’t like putting guys on base that didn’t work for it. But, if I get in a jam, I know I have a defense behind me,” said Appley.
“Growing up, I had anger issues after my family moved to Iowa. I was 11 years old, and I didn’t want to be there. Now looking back, it was super petty,” said Appley.
Appley returned to California at age of 18. He was drinking and doing drugs, which ultimately led to the crime.
“I thought moving back would solve the problem. But things stayed the same because I stayed the same. I don’t blame anyone but myself,” said Appley.
He credits programs like Addiction Recovery Counseling and AA for helping him to understand the factors that led to his abuse of drugs and alcohol.
Appley said he recognizes these social skills reduce harmful behavior.
“I’m just grateful to be at a place like San Quentin where you have a lot of programs.”
He said the baseball program helps in rehabilitation because it provides a healthy, competitive environment where outside visitors can interact with incarcerated people.
“It’s about communication to let people know we changed and that we are remorseful for the things we did,” said Appley.