With last season’s baseball behind them, San Quentin’s baseball rookie players feel they now have the expertise with improvements in their game. There is a sense of team leadership now with sophomore members of the team.
S.Q. A’s starting second baseman Cleo Clomen said his performance on the baseball field needs improvement this season.
“Last year I played with fundamentals. This time around my hope is to better my overall statistics and game,” said Clomen.
“I want to improve (on) my batting, and my leadership position as a center-fielder,” said last year’s S.Q. Giants baseball player John Windham. He said he wants to be more accountable for his pitching too.
Last season’s Giants pitcher and shortstop Marc Jordan said he looks to be a better teammate.
“I want to give back some positive input to the rookies this season,” said Jordan.
“My fundamentals would definitely improve by staying focused,” said last year’s A’s left-fielder Rasheed Lockheart.
Sophomores expressed hope for success this season.
Clomen said, “We as a team need to be aware that there will be no easy road to a championship.” He said that unity and team conditioning is crucial to a successful season.
Jordan said his team’s goal this year is to “just beat the A’s a lot more.”
Sophomores say they are electrified about their leadership qualities and they count on giving back to S.Q.’s baseball club this year.
Lockheart said a winning baseball organization requires “humility, patience, dedication, and professionalism” from him.
“It’s about jailing together, by me showing good sportsmanship to my teammates whether we win, lose or draw,” said Windham about his leadership role this season.
Jordan said that he understands what it takes for S.Q.’s baseball program to be successful.
“I’ve been playing baseball all of my life. Learning how to play small ball, and being able to trust your teammates,” Jordan said is a positive formula for the organization.
Sophomores said their coaches, general managers, and sponsors make their team contributions possible.
“It’s a true blessing to have people come in from the streets, spend time to teach, and for them to show us camaraderie,” said Jordan.
Lockheart credited last season’s A’s General Manager Len Zemarkowitz for his team leadership this year.
“I like his dedication. He believes in what we are doing as a team,” said Lockheart. He mentioned Zemarkowitz is also supportive because he “brings a real (balanced) IQ to this baseball program.”
Windham said he is honored to be a part of the baseball program.
“Giants’ general managers are unselfish about taking the time out of their busy lives for us,” said Windham.
Lockheart said, “I feel good about our coaching staff. Coach ‘Yahya’ (in particular) is putting his best foot forward.” He also stated “Yahya” is fair, and he makes decisions that need to be made (for the team) as a head coach.
“I understand that it’shard to be a coach in prison. You have so many different personalities and different races to deal with,” said Jordan about his head coach “Frankie,” who does a good job on and off the baseball field.
Clomen said he is grateful for the S.Q.’s baseball sponsors.
“That’s why I play hard. It’s only right for me to give them the same (positive) energy, and dedication back,” said Clomen about his grace for the sponsor’s attitude for S.Q.’s self-rehabilitating inmate baseball program.