A softball game by two coed teams on the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center’s Lower Yard brought unity and fellowship to everyone involved.
The San Quentin Hardtimers softball team, scheduled to play against the Lost Dreams Awaken team April 13, encountered an unexpected circumstance that dictated a different outcome.
“I was surprised by the courtyard with all of the greenery,” said Katrina L., a first-time visitor to the rehabilitation center, “my brother was a temporary resident here.”
Six of LDA’s male players could not attend, so the team played with eight female and two male players.
To have a fair and competitive game, the teams decided to select rosters “sandlot” style with two captains taking turns selecting players for an equal distribution of talent.
“Without the volunteers and umpires giving their time, these games don’t happen,” said Hardtimers manager Rick Diaz, 46. “All of the work done to build rosters and get clearances approved is something that can’t be under estimated.”
The captains, Nate Venegas, 48, and Jay Uhler, 51, took turns selecting players until they exhausted their options. A spirited competition began immediately. Both teams scored runs with multiple lead changes during the seven inning game. In the end, the team captained by Venegas prevailed over Uhler’s team by a score of 13-8.
Zack Miller, Katrina L.’s brother, wore on the back of his jersey a “G” commitment number from a 2008 stay at San Quentin. Miller said he did two stints in reception at San Quentin, the second for a parole violation, before rehabilitating for thirty days in ICDTP, an outside drug treatment program affiliated with Contra Costa County. He returned as a volunteer with the LDA softball squad to take part in the competition and fellowship with the residents of his former place of incarceration.
Several members of LDA spoke in the post-game fellowship circle about their addictions and length of their sobriety. They also concluded that visiting San Quentin Rehabilitation Center provided a reward in itself.