Here's some happy news from behind the walls...

... my sweetie's softball team has played umpteen dozens of I don't know how many games the last couple of months and remain UNDEFEATED!! He's really having a lot of fun with it this year and I'm so proud of him for putting all this effort into something constructive. Far cry from the old days, spending so much effort chasing dope and being depressed.

He's a goofball, but I'm so proud of him and the whole team. I got a letter Thursday that was written over the course of three days... on Sunday he wrote: "We're gonna play another interdorm tournament today and tomorrow. The world is full of pain freaks and people addicted to losing, did you know that? They keep asking us to come out and punish them on the softball field."

Then the next day: "See? I told you those other teams are pain freaks. We went over there today and spanked every one of them. Same result every time. We rule. I gotta admit, I'm glad to see this rain this afternoon. Needed a break."

Anyway... yeah (giggle) he's full of himself this week but has every right to brag & thanks for letting me share and brag on him/them... y'all just don't know how joyous it is, even such a small thing as playing on a winning and undefeated softball team and being really INTO it... it's a world of difference from the days when everything centered around addiction and misery. Just wish the prison'd let me watch one of their games and be able to cheer from the sidelines! :)

That is so cool, Lysbeth...and you're right about Brian filling his time with constructive activity vs. the old habits. I'm sure that the softball team will do more to feed his soul than anything the DOC would ever offer in the way of rehabilitation. Wouldn't it be the best if you could watch a few games during visits....girl, dust off those pompoms!

In fact, Shawn was telling me tonight how excited he is that El Dorado's new warden is organizing tryouts for a prison softball team. Hearing how excited he is about a chance to get involved in something positive for a change makes me wonder....why can't there be more programs like this? Can't anyone besides ourselves SEE just how something so simple can make such an extreme difference in the behavior of our loved ones? To a certain extent, better attitudes make for less recidivism, no?

What position does Brian play, Lys? Shawn is going for center field, he said...but will play shortstop if necessary, LOL :D

I would give almost anything to see both our guys playing!!!

Susan

Wouldn't that be great to be able to go their games? My hubby played baseball this season and hockey during the winter....It would be great to get to go and see them play...

Deb

I have absolutely no idea what position he's playing, Sue... I am so sports-retarded it's not even funny! But I'll be sure to ask when he calls and report back!!!

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for Shawn RE tryouts there!

And you're right exactly... so many positive things like this do SO much for their attitudes, their behavior, their well-being. I don't know what the magic words are to get more people to care. As it's been said before... if they're treated like animals and left to rot there, you're liable to get an animal back into society... treat them like human beings, you're gonna get a human being. It's so easy for all of us to see, how to change opinions out in the general public, that's harder.

Deb & Sue, I wish we could all go see their games... man that would just be so cool! Still I'm so glad they are getting to do stuff like this even if we don't get to see. It's just SOOOO positive and wonderful... :)

Sue, I finally have the answer for you (finally thought to ask on the phone tonight)... but remember how sports-retarded I am... I think he said "right center"... is there such a thing? Maybe he just said center field... in any case he said to tell you he just runs and runs and runs... LOL! :D

P.S. Remember, I'm still on pain medication for my foot... not only am I blonde and sports-retarded but I'm also buzzed... ;)

Haha Lysbeth! Sportin' a buzzy!

That is so awesome Brians team won! I hear all about Travis's team too! He just sent home his 1st place blue ribbon. Yeppers... his team got first also! Boy we got some good guys here! Oh and Trav plays second base!

WooooooHoooooo Congrats to them all!

Oh yeah, forgot to mention... the day before I posted that first post about them being undefeated... they LOST their first game!! He told me Sunday. Just when I brag on them they go and lose! Or else I jinxed them, I'm not sure which! Oh well, still a good season thus far! :)

Lys

That's so great !!!!! I guess you can be proud of him !!! You know what ? I don't even know what softball is, but I'll do an internet search.

That would be nice if the prison could organize a tornament during family visits !!! But I guess it's too much asking !! :(

GO BRIAN !!!!! :)

Deb

Bill plays hockey at the prison ?? You mean they have a skate ring ?? Or did I misunderstand something ??? :confused:

Phil

Softball's kind of like baseball, Phil... we've taught you about baseball!! :D Actually to tell you the truth even I don't know what the difference is between softball and baseball really... but they are similar games...

I beleive (not sure now) the difference is the ball... and the way they pitch? In baseball the ball is hard. And softball the ball is soft of coursse. And I think in softball they pitch underhanded? Oh geeze I might be talking out of my a** right now...cuz I am not too sharp on baseball either! Hahaha

Thank you Lys !! :)

I know you taught me baseball, but I still don't understand this game !! So I guess I won't understand softball either !! :(

Anyway,
GO BRIAN !!! :)

thats brilliant,

Actually in softball the ball is not soft. It's harder than a baseball it's just bigger. Softballs are 12" in circumfrance. You play with 4 outfielders and the bases are closer usually 65' not 90' llike in baseball. You do pitch it underhand ( you actually lob it underhand it has to have a 6'-12' arc and the pitching distance is 50' not 60'6" as in baseball.

I have some good pics on my web site of softball in prison. E-mail me and I will send you the link.

Actually my web site is on my profile page. It will be linked to PTO the next time I update my site.

Thanks Steve

My honey's team is also undefeated this summer. I agree that they should have at least one game a year where the families can enjoy the outing as much as they do.

Talk with you soon.

Sheila

Hey can you go to see your man play his games? i know at san quentin in cali they have Bbal games and people can watch, but i dont know if its for all games. itd be really cool though. ktc

Nope (can't go to see games). Wish I could.

In any case he's been moved to Mississippi now (Alabama's solution to their overcrowding/budget problems) and the new facility is locked down most of the time, so there won't be many/any softball games in the near future anyway...