chris mason

Coach Chris Mason is entering his 1st season coaching with the East Coast Sox.

Even though this is his first season as a coach for East Coast Sox, Coach mason has a long history with several of our directors.  Chris was a four-year letterman at UAB and All-Conference USA pitcher in the late 90’s where he was a teammate of AL director and Hewitt-Trussville head coach Jeff Mauldin.  Chris was a was also drafted and signed in 1997 by the Tampa Bay Rays.  During his time in college and with the Rays organization, Chris developed a lifetime of friendships that year that have kept him involved in professional baseball via his career as a financial advisor.  At UAB, Chris and the Blazers competed annually against Coach Joe Caruso’s Crimson Tide.  As a true Freshman, Chris faced defending national champion LSU at Alex Box Stadium, so returning to The Box last summer for the Marucci World Series was a thrill.

Chris has coached Select baseball teams based in Homewood since 2019.  His teams competed against John Gibson’s excellent squads from Trussville for years, so he is very excited to join Coach Gibson this summer in his dugout.  Before getting into coaching, Chris taught pitching lessons for youth and high school players in the Birmingham area.

Chris’s father, Joe Mason is a retired Hall of Fame pro baseball scout who signed dozens of major league players during his 35-year career.  He even signed East Coast Sox director, Mark Willoughby while with the New York Mets.  Chris spent most of his childhood at ballparks across the country while his Dad was scouting.  After all these years, he still loves to go to the ballpark and work with young players.  Chris’s son Wells is a rising 10^th grade infielder at Homewood High School and will be joining the Sox for his second season.

Why do I coach with the East Coast Sox?

Unlike many other organizations, I know first-hand the Sox directors and coaches have a deep understanding of the game of baseball and truly care about the young men they coach.  The depth of baseball knowledge and success in this organization is unmatched.  When you pair the depth of coaching talent with the character and strong Christian faith of the leaders of East Coast, it is a wonderful environment for young men to develop.  I am honored to be included as an assistant coach this summer and will work to make sure it is a positive experience for all.  I am fired up for the summer to begin and look forward to get to know the young men we are blessed to serve.