All the traditional gallantry that came with America’s favorite pastime fully showed at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center as the SQ Giants hosted their rivals from Southern California.
On April 19, LA LOVE defeated the SQ Giants in a classic nail-biter that ended with a 2–1 score to start the 2025 baseball season.
The 8:30 a.m. start felt the nip of a cool morning breeze as the American flag swirled high above home plate. The competitors lined up on the first base and third base lines and the fans stood as the San Quentin Veterans Color Guard played the National Anthem.
Warden Chance Andes started the ceremony on the mound of San Quentin’s “Field of Dreams,” thanking everyone for showing up to this season’s opening day event.
“Baseball is what makes spring so special because it brings some normalcy to us all,” said Andes just before throwing the season’s first pitch right over home plate.
Prior to the event, a large entourage of LA LOVE players — sporting brand new uniforms — and their film documentary crew paraded down the hill onto the Lower Yard field for friendly competition.
LA LOVE’s Coach and film producer Brian Nichols said he felt inspired to make a documentary because he wanted to make known all the fun rivalry he has experienced over the years playing baseball at San Quentin.
“We are going to do our best to beat you guys,” said Nichols. “You might have the better record, but we came here to win.”
Steve Reichardt, the SQ Giants’ volunteer coach, thanked LA LOVE for coming, then jokingly said, “Sorry you had to come all this way for us to kick your butt again.” Reichardt added, “Seriously though, I want you all to know outside this game, these guys here today came because they love you.”
After a scoreless two innings, LA LOVE drew first blood in the top of the third as Hudson Nichols, the son of Brian Nichols, smashed a double in the center field gap.
SQ Giants pitcher Vic Picazo walked the bases loaded and walked in the opponent’s first run of the season.
The home team avoided more damage in the third inning as Picazo struck out the side with the bases still loaded.
“I love playing here because theses guys play the right way,” said LA LOVE’s Justin Halpern, writer and producer of ABC’s “Abbot Elementary.” The Emmy, Golden Globe, and Critic’s Choice award winner added, “I also want to encourage humanity towards everybody including the incarcerated.”
SQ Giant Carrington Russelle hit a double that led to an error, which allowed Patrick Poteat to score to tie the game 1-1 in the bottom of the third.
The Bee Gee’s song “Staying Alive” was bumping through the loudspeakers as the crowd cheered on San Quentin Coach Reichardt who danced along the sidelines to celebrate the tied ballgame.
During the bottom of the fifth, LA LOVE brought in pitcher Hudson Nichols. He threw heat estimated in the mid-80s.
The game remained tied as Picazo matched Hudson Nichols pitch-for-pitch to keep both teams’ bats silent until the top of the seventh inning, when LA LOVE loaded the bases for a potential winning rally. SQ Giants’ right fielder Poteat ran down a pop fly to end the inning. Picazo left the game as he tired, which allowed LA LOVE an opportunity to steal the victory.
In the top of the eighth, a series of walks and a hit batsman by San Quentin’s relief pitcher let LA LOVE take the lead 2-1, the game’s final score.
After the game, the teams circled-up on the mound for the traditional celebratory prayer. LA LOVE’s center fielder, Jeff E. said coming in here to give the residents an opportunity to feel normal in a not-so-normal situation felt amazing. He’s played on San Quentin’s Field of Dreams since 2018.
Resident Angelo Mecchi, the SQ Giants assistant coach, said he loved opening day because it brought back childhood memories, “For me baseball is pure innocence and takes me back to a time when nothing was wrong with the world.”
