Middle school baseball teams will take the field at Northwestern State University this weekend as the 3rd Annual Coach Dodson Memorial Tournament returns on March 6–8.
The tournament was originally created in 2012 after a family discussion about hosting a middle school baseball event on a collegiate field. The idea was developed by Amy Dodson Stepp, her father — a longtime middle school coach and baseball enthusiast — her brother Blake Dodson, and her husband Chase Stepp. The goal was to create a unique event that would allow young athletes to experience playing on a college field while also helping raise funds for a cheer program.
The first tournament was held in 2013 and quickly grew in popularity, with participation increasing each year. At times, organizers even had to hold a registration drawing because of the high number of teams wanting to participate. In 2017, the NSU Middle Lab team, coached by Dodson’s father and brother, won the first-place trophy.
After retiring from coaching, Dodson’s father remained deeply involved in the tournament, helping plan the event each year and assisting throughout the weekend, including organizing details and preparing food for concessions.
The tournament was canceled in 2020 due to pandemic-related campus gathering restrictions. Shortly afterward, in April 2020, Dodson’s father was diagnosed with cancer for the third time and passed away on April 25 of that year.
In his memory, the family chose to continue the event as the Coach Dodson Memorial Tournament.
With assistance from Justin Fredieu, who previously served eight years as head umpire and now serves as tournament director, organizers continued the tradition to honor Dodson’s legacy and his love for the game.
The annual tournament continues to bring together student-athletes, families and supporters for a weekend of middle school baseball while remembering the coach whose passion helped create the event. Organizers encourage former participants, athletes, friends and community members to attend and support the tournament.
Register Now:
Justin_fredieu@kindermorgan.com (318) 521-5703
mblakedodson@gmail.com (318) 471-2743
