When we reviewed 2023 in our top flops of the year article, it was clear that some changes had brightened up French baseball. Unusual champions, a new draft in just its second year, a new softball competition, and an increase in both the number and quality of broadcasts… 2024 seemed set to continue this trend of change with a new rule concerning the JFL.
Now that 2024 is in the rearview mirror and the federation has celebrated its 100th anniversary—without actually throwing a party—we see a return to what we knew in the 2010s. In Division 1, the perennial winner, Rouen’s Huskies, are back in the spotlight and returning to Europe (they’ll even host the tournament in 2025). On the federal level, a president who left abruptly is back to take the reins of his federation. Baseball5 continues to deliver on its promises with a stellar performance by the French Senior team, which finished third in the world. There was also a controversy in a national sports media outlet that did more harm than good for French baseball culture. Finally, we were told about the launch of a French Hall of Fame, but it failed to take off.
The new Olympic cycle began at the end of the Paris Olympics, which were deafeningly silent about baseball (two fleeting images in the opening and closing ceremony videos). We’ll have to wait until 2026 and 2028 to reunite baseball and the Olympics (Dakar for youth and Baseball5, and Los Angeles for baseball and softball).
The financial situation of clubs, committees, leagues, and the federation often shows difficulties that prevent hiring a team here, employing a staff member there, covering travel expenses for players and volunteers, or even repairing a field. This situation hasn’t changed in 2024, and this lack of financial ease harms our sports’ ability to break through the cultural glass ceiling that covers France when it comes to baseball and softball.
Communication on media and social networks is very weak; no community manager has been able to make baseball stories or posts go viral. A cat biting its tail while falling over got more likes in a single post than all of the French baseball community’s posts combined in a year.
Let’s hope this can improve. The rise of Baseball5, the emerging generation of French players working in the three major baseball countries (USA, Japan, and Australia), and the goal of broadcasting the Division 1 championship in full within two years are among the areas of progress.
If you asked an AI to review French baseball in 2024, here’s what you’d get:
The 2024 baseball season in France was marked by several notable events, both nationally and internationally.
Division 1 Championship:
The Rouen Huskies solidified their dominance in French baseball by winning their 18th French championship title in October 2024. Under the leadership of their new coach, Quentin Becquey, the Huskies topped the regular-season standings and then went undefeated in the playoffs.
Challenge de France:
In May 2024, the Montpellier Barracudas won the Challenge de France by defeating the Cometz de Metz in the final. Pitcher Daniel Gosselin was particularly outstanding, throwing a complete game in the final.
European Competitions:
In June, Montpellier and Montigny represented France at the European Cup in Valencia, Spain. The Barracudas secured wins against Austrian and Belgian teams but lost to Valencia and Tenerife, finishing the tournament with a 2-3 record.
Baseball5:
On the international stage, the French Baseball5 team made history by winning the bronze medal at the Baseball5 World Cup, held from October 7 to 12, 2024, in Hong Kong. This medal is the first world distinction for the French Baseball and Softball Federation in the senior category.
These results demonstrate the vitality and dynamism of French baseball, both nationally and internationally, in 2024.
