San Quentin residents celebrated New Year’s Day by participating in recreational tournaments on the Lower Yard. They competed in events like ping-pong, pinochle and horseshoes.
In a heated battle, Steve Reitz took the ping-pong title, beating J. Hamilton two games straight in a best of three-championship match. In the first set, Hamilton used speed to slam kill shots past Reitz, but Reitz’s returns were just as fierce. They traded point for point and the set went to deuces twice before Reitz sealed the 23-21 win.
“Anytime you go to deuces, you know you have a good game,” said Reitz. “In these tournaments, you get to play different people you don’t normally associate with, and you get a chance to improve your game. We just thank the coach for the new tables; we were playing on plywood at first.”
The second set Reitz kept the pressure on, taking the lead and finishing 21-19 for the win.
“It was a good game. I know it wouldn’t be easy. He always plays hard to win,” said Hamilton.
Melvin Cosby and his partner took the pinochle tournament, beating J. Brown and V. Johnson in the finale. Trash talking begun immediately between Cosby and Brown. That brought laughter to the on-lookers. Cosby and his partner played with chemistry and finesse to clench the victory.
“I just enjoy coming out and being with the fellas,” said Cosby. “It’s a great way to start the New Year, but winning makes it that much more fun.”
To end the day, Dennis Oates and his partner won the horseshoe event, defeating Doug Thiessen and E. Vicks. With steady hands and focus, Oates was able to hit ringers and keep the horseshoes close to the pole to rack up the points for the win.
“With these tournaments you get to meet new people from different races,” said Oates. “That helps to take the tension away.”
Thiessen added, “It also helps to build up morale as we continue to work on our rehabilitation in the New Year.”
Tim Fielder and Glenn Hardy took third.
“Everybody was focused, laughed and had fun,” said Fielder.
Event coordinator Orlando Harris concluded, “It wasn’t a big showing. We need to do more to spark the prison community to come out and participate. We are working on different games and prizes for the New Year. Overall, it was a festive holiday.”