Wyoming Death Row All-Stars: When Baseball Offered a Glimmer of Hope Behind Bars
2025-04-20
In 1910, within the imposing walls of the Wyoming state Penitentiary, an unusual chapter of baseball history unfolded. Facing the gravest of consequences, a group of death-row inmates found themselves on a baseball diamond, their fates intertwined with each pitch and swing. This is the story of the Wyoming State Penitentiary All-Stars.
A Warden’s Vision, A Team’s Reality
Felix Alston, the warden of the Wyoming state Penitentiary and an avid baseball enthusiast, conceived a plan that initially aimed to boost the morale of the incarcerated men [[3]]. Tho, the shadow of impending executions cast a pall over the games. As one might expect, it’s hard to do anything “for fun” when the participants have a scheduled death date.
Did You Know?
The concept of using sports as a rehabilitative tool in prisons dates back to the late 19th century. It was believed that organized games could instill discipline, teamwork, and a sense of purpose among inmates.
Among the players, Joseph Seng stood out as the team’s star, his talent matched only by the immediacy of his death sentence. The question of whether his performance on the field was linked to his proximity to the gallows remains unanswered. As one report notes, conclusive evidence that the convicts’ success on the field was related to how soon some of them would see the gallows isn’t recorded (you can imagine that’s not the sort of paperwork anyone’s signing off on)
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Hope, Corruption, and the game
The players themselves believed that their performance could influence their fate [[2]]. George Saban, the team’s captain and a close confidant of Warden Alston, allegedly told the team that victories could lead to reprieves, while errors would extend their sentences. Saban’s unique position allowed him daily trips outside the prison, which he reportedly used to place illegal bets on the games, adding a layer of corruption to the already complex situation.
Pro tip: Understanding Clemency
Clemency, including reprieves and commutations, is a power held by governors and presidents. It can be granted for various reasons, including doubts about guilt, rehabilitation, or mitigating circumstances. In the case of the Wyoming All-Stars, the hope was that baseball prowess might sway the governor.
Adding to the intrigue, there was at least one instance where Seng’s execution date was postponed when it conflicted with a scheduled game.
The Roster: crimes and positions
The Wyoming State Penitentiary All-Stars comprised inmates convicted of serious crimes:
- SS Joe guzzardo (manslaughter)
- 1B Eugene Rowan (rape)
- 2B Frank Fitzgerald (breaking and entering)
- 3B John Crottie (grand larceny)
- CF Sidney Potter (forgery)
- RF Joseph Seng (first-degree murder)
- LF Earl Stone (breaking and entering)
- LF Ora Carman (grand larceny)
- P Thomas Cameron (sexual assault) [[1]]
- P Harry Pendergraft (larceny)
- C James Powell (rape)
- coach/Captain George Saban (murder)
The Opposition and the End of the Line
The All-Stars faced off against the Wyoming Supply Company Juniors in all four of their games. however, the novelty and controversy surrounding the team soon attracted negative attention.The governor, facing increasing pressure, communicated his concerns to the warden, effectively ordering an end to the baseball program. The team was disbanded, and Joseph Seng was executed the following year.
He wrote to the warden “expressing his concern,” which in politics speak, means “cut this shit out, posthaste.”
Despite the circumstances, the Wyoming state Penitentiary All-Stars achieved a perfect record: four wins and zero losses.As the article wryly notes, Like they had any other choice.
