Former San Quentin Rehabilitation Center baseball players recently played their annual alumni game against the San Quentin (SQ) Giants.
The game was held May 17 on what’s known as the Field of Dreams.
Incarcerated player Robert Nash pitched his third game of the season. He helped the SQ Giants by giving up no earned runs and striking out five. The Giants secured a 17-5 victory over the formerly incarcerated alumni.
Attending the Lower Yard match-up, Fox 2 News journalist Bailey O’Carroll spoke about being a sports reporter.
“Events like these bring people together,” said O’Carroll. “I built my life and career around the philosophy that sports are a difference maker in people’s lives.”
Alum pitcher and event organizer Brandon Riddle-Terrell threw heat to start the game, which matched evenly to a tie score of 4-4 at the top of the third inning.
The tie didn’t last long as the SQ Giants got hot in the bottom of the third inning, hitting through the line-up to take a 9-4 lead.
Having paroled after serving almost 22 years of a life sentence, Chris “Stretch” Rich said he hasn’t played on the Field of Dreams since 2010. Having played for eight seasons during his prison term, he said the baseball program always had great meaning.
“This game helps to instill values of both teamwork and community,” said Rich. “It’s great to come back here and play with these guys again and continue to set an example for the next generation.”
SQ Associate Warden Ponce said reunions like the alumni game are important because it shows the character of returning players. It also gives current residents something to look forward to.
“It’s important for people to see the continued progress of the released guys,” Ponce said. “It demonstrates their ability to succeed out in society.
SQ Giants assistant coach David Roy said the game gave him hope and understanding. He can now see the opportunity of getting out and coming back in to play.
“This game shows the resident players how valuable the baseball program is,” Roy said.
After the game, both teams circled up around the mound as each alumni player gave personal testimony about their new lives outside of prison.
With a sentimental tone in his voice, first baseman alum Chris Deragon ended the day with some encouraging words for the players and coaches.
“It’s not the things that happened in life that defines who you are, it’s what you do with those things that define who you become,” he said.
Submitted by Lt. G. Berry
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