Out of sight to nearly everyone on the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center’s Lower Yard, the dedicated players of handball played in the shadows as they worked toward “Changa,” Spanish for game point. 

Athletes of the handball court have usually received little attention, compared to the athletes on the basketball courts, the ball fields, the tennis court, the running track, or the soccer pitch. Only San Quentin residents using the gym might encounter handball, as the court sits next to the gym entrance.

“We recognize that our players have that commonality and it builds a stronger community,” said resident Kaleb Kessinger, 27. “Under any other circumstance you may not ever get to know these people.”

Since San Quentin has only one handball court, most games play as doubles, with two players on each side, to accommodate demand. Doubles play forces teammates to work together, increasing awareness of other players’ styles, strengths, ability levels, and habits. The partnerships create a sense of camaraderie, promoting stronger team play.

“Hopefully, when the Upper Yard is remodeled we’ll get a second handball court up there,” said resident Walter Sprafka, 65.

Some players, like Kessinger, learned the game as youths. Mario Garcia, 27, like most others, gained first exposure to the sport during incarceration. Garcia reminisced how he took up handball at the Sacramento City Jail.

“We only got two hours of recreation time each day,” said Garcia, “so we played handball.”

“Playing handball expands a person’s physical activity, fosters goal setting, creates mental stimulation and reduces stress,” said Sprafka. “It develops relationships and a feeling of being part of something.”

Many of the devotees have played only handball while others have played a variety of sports. 

“The teamwork gives the game a social aspect that carries over to the yard, groups, and the chow hall, even to other prisons,” said Francisco Ortiz, 50.

Sprafka said the handball community represented a cross-section of the SQRC population and reflected the overall common spirit at the institution. He added that handball tournaments would take place twice a year as the players always strived for “Changa.”