Home Run Derby tour visits 4 CDCR institutions

May 23, 2025

A batter readies for a pitch during the Home Run Derby held at four CDCR institutions.

The Central Valley tour of Mastery Prison Ministry’s Home Run Derby recently visited CDCR four institutions.

Derby institutions included Avenal State Prison, California State Prison-Corcoran, Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison at Corcoran, and Valley State Prison in Chowchilla.

>> Learn more about Mastery Prison Ministry on their website.

Avenal kicks off Home Run Derby

The kickoff began Tuesday, April 29, under the leadership of Coach Eskew with Avenal State Prison.

The contest was offered on three separate yards. It was a sunny day, and the population was grateful for the positive message and opportunity to compete against the outside team.

CSP-Corcoran is second stop for derby

The following day, April 30, Coach Duran with CSP-Corcoran hosted the Home Run Derby on Facilities 3A, 3B, and 4B. The top eight home run hitters had the honor to represent their yard in the derby against the four elite hitters of the Mastery Prison Ministry team.

The facility winners were Facility 3A T. Navarette, Facility 3B S. Scarber, and Facility 4B J. Fleer.

Not to be outdone by the population, prison ministry founder Mike “The Hammer” Hamilton belted 17 straight home runs. At 56 years young, he demonstrated to the population there are few physical limits when they adopt a proactive approach to their health and mental well-being.

In between rounds of the derby, the ministry team shared uplifting spiritual lessons with the population. The population was invited to pray and worship with the team. While not mandatory, essentially every participant and spectator willingly joined the fellowship in prayer.

SATF is third story for Home Run Derby

SATF Home Run Derby was one stop at four CDCR institutions.

Lining up for the ball at the Home Run Derby.

On Thursday, May 1, California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison at Corcoran (SATF) Coach Valencia and Coach Costello held the Home Run Derby on B and E facilities. The event provided incarcerated persons an opportunity to participate in an environment more closely resembling those in California communities. Mastery Prison Ministry is a softball home run club with members using their athletic talents to reach men in state and federal correctional facilities with events creating some friendly competition. On each SATF facility, participants competed for the Home Run Derby crown. Softballs were seen flying off the bat well over 300 feet with incarcerated fans cheering in the background.

Valley State Prison concludes tour

On Friday, May 2, the four-day tour concluded at Valley State Prison (VSP) in Chowchilla facilitated by CDCR Athletic Coach Ishimoto.

“The number one sport here at VSP is softball. I would like to thank Mastery Prison Ministry for traveling across the country and sharing their message,” said Ishimoto.

It was well attended by many of the administration including Principal S. Spencer, Correctional Counselor III Celestin, Lt. Salas, Chief Deputy Warden Johnson, and Warden Bailey.

Headquarters Athletic Coach Heidi Wippel applauded the CDCR coaches as the preparation of the fields, equipment, and operations were flawless.

CDCR athletic coaches statewide provide quality sports, fitness, leisure, and programs for the entire population bridging the gap between custody and the population.

Submitted by Heidi Wippel, headquarters athletic coach