It used to be common for softball teams to visit the Maine State Prison for weekend games against the inmates.

But Gary Upham, the principal of educational programs who also oversees the recreation department at the Maine State Prison, said that has trend has dropped dramatically in recent years.

And he is hoping to bring it back.

“We’d like to get teams coming in on a regular basis,” said Upham. “Lately, it has been sporadic, at best.

“It would definitely be good for the morale of the inmates,” added Upham.

Upham said he has called recreation departments in the local areas near the prison in Warren “but nobody was interested at the time.”

So now he is expanding his scope statewide searching for opponents.

Upham said it is win-win situation for the prisoners and opponents.

“For people who come in and get to see the establishment, they realize how much better things are on the outside,” said Upham. “It also gives them a different view of what goes on.”

The prisoners, he explained, are able to “set a goal of behavior” by interacting with their guests.

It also gives them new opponents to play.

The prison has its own modified pitch softball league with six teams in it. Modified pitch involves a half-windmill delivery.

He said they have two fields, one inside the prison in Warren and the other at the prison farm which is approximately half a mile from the prison.

“The difference is at the prison field, you don’t chase [potential] home runs because of the barbed wire fence,” he quipped.

Upham is hoping to jumpstart recreational activities for the inmates.

“At the old prison [in Thomaston], the recreation department was really active. They used to play on Saturdays and Sundays and sometimes on weeknights. With the new prison, it has been scaled back. But we’d like to get re-involved with that process,” said Upham.

Teams interested in playing the inmates can contact Upham by calling 273-5468.

Players must be at least 18 and not have a criminal record. And they shouldn’t have a relative in the prison. Upham will also need to know if they aren’t from the state of Maine.

lmahoney@bangordailynews.net

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