Having the privilege to wear the U-S-A across your chest is an honor – watching your son follow in your footsteps is a surreal moment.
In the family of USA Baseball alumni, there is always the chance of a father-son duo. This year's 13U/14U Athlete Development Program (ADP) premiered another father-son duo of Mason Devine and his father, Joey Devine. Joey was part of the 2004 Collegiate National Team, taking home a gold medal at the FISU World University Championships.
Joey spent his college days in Raleigh, playing for the NC State Wolfpack where he holds the active record for career saves in NC State history with 36. He is also tied for first in single-season appearances, recording 36 in 2003.
During his time with the Collegiate National Team, Joey had the lowest ERA on the team with a 0.55 ERA in 10 appearances. He allowed just one run over 16.1 innings pitched while striking out 26 batters on his way to a gold medal.
Now, the time has come for his son to start his own USA Baseball legacy. Mason is here at the ADP working on his craft preparing to make future USA Baseball national teams and continue in his father's footsteps.
The ADP gives young athletes the highest level of coaching at this age group to develop their game, preaching the fundamentals. Grinding through the instruction is certainly something Mason has enjoyed.
“Getting out here with all these coaches and the experience they have, how they coach you, honestly, is so amazing,” said Mason.
Having been through the USA Baseball experience, Joey knows the level of dedication and willpower needed to be out at the complex amongst these talents. Knowing that Mason is able to compete amongst these players is something special to him.
“It’s pretty incredible, I actually go back and I’m still very involved with USA Baseball and seeing Paul [Seiler] and Eric Campbell. I went over to Taiwan and Japan in 2004. So, 21 years later to still have relationships with guys from that team, to today, seeing my son go through this process at 14-years-old is pretty incredible and a surreal moment,” stated Joey. “It’s something that as a father you’re so proud of and so thankful for the opportunity to surround your son with great people and the staff here at USA Baseball, and the way they go about things.”
Dedicating his time out here to improving his game all-around, Mason wants to take full advantage of this opportunity. Whether it’s improving on small ball, speed, or fielding, he is looking to get plenty of knowledge from coaches to continue his development.
“I’m trying to improve all aspects of the game, hitting, fielding, and base running,” stated Mason. “I would say mostly, first-step quickness and probably base running.”
Growing up with a father who played baseball at the highest level, competing at the division one level in the ACC, representing the Collegiate National Team, and making it to the big leagues. The number of memories Mason and Joey have made along Mason’s young journey is irreplaceable – but one stands out amongst the rest.
“Winning a tournament in 12U as Team Carolina, we lost the year before to Texas, and we walked it off and won the tournament against Texas, going undefeated,” said Mason.
During that run, Joey was the coach of Team Carolina, helping lead the team to their 7-0 record overall. Being able to have a front row seat on their way to a championship, all while celebrating with Mason is something that Joey cherished.
“When we ended up beating Texas in the championship to win the whole thing, for me to be on the field and celebrate that win and that environment was unbelievable,” echoed Joey. “That’s one thing I challenged Mason with, I want him to be who he is, and I want to just watch him and be dad and go down the line and celebrate, this game is hard. It is full of failure, and you’ve got to be okay with that.”
Relying on his father for parts of his development, Mason has looked up to his father throughout his whole career. Whatever Mason needs, he knows his father will always be there to support him.
“He’s helped me a ton, whether he needs to give me some extra motivation, helping me gain confidence at the plate, or even helping me through at-bats, it helps me a lot to have him in my corner,” explained Mason.
Joey knows his son is capable of doing great things in his baseball career, watching him put in the work and set goals – he knows how dedicated Mason is, making Joey a truly proud father.
“It’s a testament to who he is and the work that he puts in,” said Joey. “He has the drive to be great. He works his butt off, he puts goals up every year, and one of his goals this year was to make it to the ADP. We put a plan together, and to his credit, he put the work in, and he doesn’t take days off. To see your son go out and accomplish these goals and put the USA jersey on is pretty special.”
With the ADP concluding tomorrow, Mason will soak in all the information he can, now that his goal has been reached – a new one is born. Already bettering himself as an athlete while getting a start in the USA Baseball Pipeline at 14-years-old, Mason has a great supporting cast and an incredible father to guide him towards his future.
