San Quentin’s lower yard is named the Field of Dreams. Some might see it as a Field of Broken Dreams, to steal a look into the life of some men at the prison; but baseball coach Frankie Smith doesn’t see it that way.
The various trials and tribulations of life have led many people to this field, but perhaps no one more interesting than Smith. Although his life is peppered with heartbreaking tragedies, it also glistens with moments of great triumph.
Growing up in Sacramento, Smith’s Nono (Italian for grandpa) was his biggest inspiration and fan. Nono pushed Smith to play sports and he responded by playing baseball with a passion — wanting to make it to the major leagues.
Smith never made it to the majors; but he thrived at Sacramento City College and the City Recreation League’s Lumber Company team.
Life caught up with Smith as a tough divorce and alcoholism drove him to prison for second-degree murder. Alcoholism, he says, cost him his moral compass.
As soon as he got to San Quentin, seven years ago, he started attending self-help groups to right the course of his life.
Now, 10 years into his sentence, Smith doesn’t blame his position in life on the mistakes of his past. Instead, he says, “alcoholism may have led me to prison, but I take ultimate responsibility for what I’ve done.”
But tragedy struck Smith again in 2006 when he was benched by cancer, causing him to lose his right kidney. Last year, he was sidelined with cancer to his mouth. Smith now realizes how fragile life can be.
After surviving his two bouts with cancer, Smith made his way back to The Field of Dreams, returning to his coaching position this year.
Smith believes in owning up to mistakes in order to learn, grow, and move ahead in life — a philosophy that translates well into his style of coaching. Smith tells his players to take ownership of their errors and make the necessary adjustments to play better.
Despite his downturns in life, many know him as one of the more positive men in San Quentin.
Smith wishes “to be free with his family again, and be a productive member of society,” he says, adding, “I love my children. I regret that I left them at the time they needed me the most.”
The Field of Dreams may not be a place where Smith can be free with his family again, but the rest of his dream about being a productive member of society is playing out there.
Smith is what the Field of Dreams is all about — a place where you can still be a winner, even in prison.
Smith says, “Quitters don’t win, and winners don’t quit.” Smith is not a quitter.
