It was a different season. A different time. A different mindset. Seventh grade brought a new chapter at Leon Godchaux Jr. High School — a fresh start beyond the classrooms and ballfields of my childhood friends. For the first time,…

We were a little older, a little more mature, and a lot better as a baseball team. I was 12 years old now, in the 6th grade at East St. John Middle School, which sat right behind Our Lady of…

Today, I turn 51 years old. But before I press play on Episode 8 of #dm9origins, I felt led to pause… and reflect. Because this moment feels too sacred to ignore. You see, I was 8 years old when I…

As summer was winding down, one thing was clear: it was time for the FORD All-Stars to take the field. That was the dream—for every player from the Reserve Phils, Garyville Pirates, and LaPlace A’s. If you played Dixie Youth…

The regular season had finally arrived. After weeks of practice, scrimmages, and the unforgettable moment of almost not receiving my uniform, it was time to put it all together. We had everything—brand-new uniforms, energy, excitement, and hunger. But one thing…

By Damon Mason Now that our team was officially created, it was time to get to work. But let’s be real—none of us had ever played together before. Truthfully, most of us hadn’t even been on an organized team. So…

By Damon Mason Before I ever made a team…Before I ever heard my name shouted from the crowd…Before I ever believed I was good enough…There were men like Shelvin “Too Bits” Ceaser and Victor Sanders. These two weren’t just baseball…

By Damon Mason After two years of watching from the sidelines, dreaming about what it would feel like to finally wear that LaPlace A’s uniform — year three hit different. I was 10 years old now, a little older, a…

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 —…

I didn’t know much about sports at 8 years old… but I knew enough to stay close to my best friend and follow the crowd. It was my first time trying out for anything. I didn’t even know what “tryouts”…