SAN QUENTIN BASEBALL Version 26 - 10/23/14 Closeups of prisoners playing baseball. Chris Deragon (VO) There’s two sounds that I love the most about baseball. It’s that snap when you throw a ball and you, and you hit that person’s glove perfect. And it’s “pop“! Or, when you hit a baseball with a hard wood bat and it cracks. That crack of the bat is just a phenomenal sound. Anthony Sorrell (VO) Baseball is a game of patience. You fail more than you succeed. Anthony Sorrell playing on the field. Anthony Sorrell Come on two nine! Anthony Sorrell (VO) It’s not a time to get down on yourself thinking about what you did last at-­‐ bat. You have to think about what can I change, what can I fix? And you have to be patient. Just like life. And just like doing time. San Quentin Prison exteriors. San Quentin Prison interiors. Chris Deragon walking down corridor past cells, raking the diamond, and interview to camera. Chris Deragon (VO) While you’re in prison, it’s really difficult to find things that you can be proud of. I’ve caused a lot of hurt, I’ve caused a lot of pain, and I owe a debt. Eric was, Eric was murdered for nothing. LOWER THIRD Chris Deragon 3rd Baseman, San Quentin Giants Frankie Smith unrolling string on baseball diamond. Prisoner sweeping dugout. Frankie Smith interview to camera. Frankie Smith (VO) I’m here for second-­‐degree murder of David Palmer, an altercation we had in 2002. Unfortunately, it took a man’s life in the process of regaining mine. I feel bad about that and I always will. I look at prison as a, a growing experience for me as a man. LOWER THIRD Frankie Smith Inmate Skipper, San Quentin Giants B-­‐roll of prison gates and security. Jose Sandoval (VO) It’s scary at first because all the, you know, the, the things you hear about this prison and you’ve got your guard up at all time. LOWER THIRD Jose Sandoval Shortstop, San Quentin Giants Footage of prison cafeteria during lunch. Chris Deragon (VO) Prison is a segregated environment. You stick to your own. If I go against that, then there could be repercussions. I could get in trouble, I could get jumped on, I could get beat up. Frankie Smith (VO) You have to keep your ground, you have to draw that line. That’s probably the hardest part. Prisoner putting up photos in his cell. Chris Deragon (VO) I was 32 years old, and I wanted to make changes. I no longer wanted to make my life about prison. B-­‐roll of prison interiors and exteriors. Anthony Sorrell interview to camera. Prisoners prepping diamond for game. Anthony Sorrell (VO) Well, when I first got here at San Quentin, and I heard there was a team, I was happy. A bunch of guys, convicts, trying to change our lives for the better, trying to play as a team. Right away I wanted to try out. Team members walking out on the yard to the baseball diamond. LOWER THIRD Anthony Sorrell Centerfielder, San Quentin Giants John Windham interview to camera. John Windham (VO) When I think about baseball, I think about family, you know? Camaraderie. LOWER THIRD John Windham Catcher, San Quentin A’s Players getting ready for game, warming up. Frankie Smith (VO) Baseball is American. Baseball is apple pie. Baseball is, uh, memories I really can’t, I can’t explain. Memories that I cherish. Anthony Sorrell (VO) When you have nine guys on a field and you’re communicating, it’s a great feeling! I mean, if it wasn’t for sports, who knows what I’d be going through right now. Frankie Smith (VO) Baseball means a day that I can leave prison for two and a half hours, three hours. It means a day where my decisions make a difference. Frankie Smith in dugout taking notes. Anthony Sorrell to camera. Anthony Sorrell (VO) For me, when I’m on that field, I am not locked up. This is home field like no other. San Quentin Giants huddled up. Team 1-­‐2-­‐3-­‐GIANTS! Slow Motion footage of baseball game San Quentin Giants vs. San Quentin A’s. Frankie Smith (VO) Baseball is not gonna get you out of prison. Baseball is a way for you to learn and live in prison, maybe find camaraderie, and some diversity in your life so you can maybe change in other ways. John Windham to camera. Prison exterior. John Windham (VO) I’ve been incarcerated for twenty-­‐five years. The baseball program to me it was a university, it was a place to learn and grow. A boy becoming a man. To me it’s school. At school we play ball. Frankie Smith taking notes on clipboard. Opposing team members shaking hands and high fiving down the line. Frankie Smith tossing baseball. Frankie Smith talking to camera. Frankie Smith (VO) I think prison, like anything else, is what you make of it. You throw away color, you throw away whatever, whatever gangs you were in, or whatever your outside life was. You get out on this field, you’re a team. Baseball is a game you gotta play it the same way no matter where you are. Frankie Smith looking into camera. Overhead pan of prison compound FADE OUT TO BLACK