Protectors of San Quentin’s sports world takes learned life skills to the outside
Every practice and game, home plate umpire, David McPherson, takes the rhythmic pounding from foul balls off of his wrist and a rocket slams into his collarbone, sometimes delaying a game as he gasps for air.
In spite of McPherson’s bumps and bruises he catches every game, and the 60-year-old said he feels blessed by the Lord.
“Being a part of baseball helps me escape,” McPherson said. “Umpiring makes you think not of yourself but the game first. SQ baseball is one big culture with everyone sharing in the success.”
The beatings can go beyond physical, as many umps and ref’s patience are tested.
SQ Basketball lead referee Ishmael Freelon frequently separates players ready to go off on him and his assistant referees.
According to Freelon, a resident since 2012, referees discover anonymity on center stage means they’re doing the job well. Freelon has been a part of the basketball progam since he arrived and he started the 94 Feed program dedicated to sportsmanship and non-violent behavior.
“I’ve improved my communication skills more than anywhere else during my 44 years of incarceration,” Freelon said.
Freelon said that he accepts the consequence of overseeing the nationally renowned SQ Basketball program is daily criticism and jealousy.
“I take the brunt of things knowing people have not yet grown or matured,” he said. “Still, I help others through refereeing to highlight my path of amends.”
While SQ referees and umpires get no respect while assuming the responsibilities of officiating, they still understand that managing sports will benefit them upon release, rookie basketball referee, Jose Maya said.
“I’ve gained self-confidence, integrity and fairness as well as a sense of family and connection,” Maya added.
Second year football official, Ferdinand Flowers referees every SQ Niners games.
“Grasping others’ points of view and obtaining non-violent communication skills helps my rehabilitation and becomes steps to living a productive life,” Flowers said
Forty-year-old referee, Armando Ybarra, studied baseball’s official rulebook after he met a professional umpire who volunteers at SQ’s Field of Dreams.
“He taught me all I needed to be an umpire,” Ybarra said. “Being around baseball exposes me to positive people who are striving for change. It also gives me hope, knowing if I can stay devoted, I can make better choices once released.”
These are the experiences in a day’s work when umpiring or refereeing at SQRC. These residents do the grunt work without the limelight or accolades, and yet, they gain an appreciation that, like this craft, re-entry will be hard earned.
Jeff Brown, 58-years-old, was incarcerated for 20 years before he decided to umpire a softball game.
“I’m not perfect but I give 100%,” he said. “That’s what I’ll do when I’m released. When you’re doing your best, your community and yourself will be safer.”
