Series: From Cut to Called – The Story Behind the Story

Blog by Damon Mason | DM9 Chronicles

—

The Saturday Morning Vibes Were Legendary.
Woodland School Grounds came alive every weekend during the summer. For me, those early years — before I ever made a team — were about watching greatness up close. I had already been cut twice from the LaPlace A’s, but those Saturdays weren’t just about baseball. They were about belief. And those tournaments? They were huge.

There were so many people, so much talent — it was electric. I remember watching, wide-eyed, as players who looked like grown men took the field with swagger and skill. I wasn’t on a team yet, but in my mind, I was playing right alongside them.

—

Team Breakdowns: The Legends I Watched

Garyville Pirates – Coaches: Victor Sanders & Ervin Nicholas
13-14 year olds:

Cardell Davis (Soup)

Randell Watkins (Captain)

Donald Rixner (DJ)

Harold Williams (Pee Wee)

Leroy Williams (Poppa)

Kendrick Johnson (Scab)

Clyde Stewart

Darrell Nicholas

Vandon Braud (Dunny)

Ronald Nicholas (June)

Courtney Mitchell

Larondell Esko

Dermark Johnson

10-12 year olds:

Leroy Williams (Poppa)

Courtney Mitchell

Calvin Lee (Flip Flop) and Courtney Mitchell and Leroy Williams– also played up with the older group

And many more…

—

Reserve Phils
13-14 year olds – Coach Smoke City:

Bobby Gibson

Wayland Martin (Walo)

Brentwood Howard (Hollywood)

Dwayne Dennis

Keith Gibson

Damon Ceaser (Tank)

Andrew Taylor (Dooley)

Corey Blackman (Too Black)

10-12 year olds – Coach Homer (Boogie), Scrap McArthur

Andrew Taylor (Dooley)

Lil James Ceaser (Mini Boo)

Terrek Grover

Terrek Grover, Andrew Taylor (Dooley) and Lil James Ceaser (Mini Boo also played up)

And many more …

—

LaPlace A’s
13-14 year olds – Coach CJ Watkins:

Marvin Francois (HighTower)

Alvin Brown

Karen Kelly (Pa)

Pa Pipe

Sugar Bear

Kerry Brown

Troy Droptmore (Memee)

10-12 year olds – Coach Donald “Too Bits” Ceaser:

Randy Brown

Nicholas Joseph

Leo Joseph

John Vamprant

And many more …

—

The Fields That Built Us

What made it special was the rotation of greatness.
LaPlace hosted at Woodland School Grounds.
Reserve’s showdowns took place at Star Terrace.
And Garyville’s battles went down behind the elementary school right off River Road.

I didn’t experience the Reserve or Garyville tournaments until I actually made a team — so those early years, I was just a spectator. But those sights, those sounds — I soaked it all in. I dreamed of the crowd screaming my name, and of having my own moment.

—

Seeds of a Dream

Looking back, I realize those two years of watching were just as important as playing. The seeds were planted in those stands, sitting on the fence, watching greatness up close. That season of waiting? It became fuel. It built the vision. It built me.

—

EPISODE 4 TEASER: “CUT DAY”

Next time, I’ll take you into Year 3. That summer when me and all my friends finally made the team…
Or did we?
Were we truly chosen — or just the product of something bigger happening on that field?