What a season for the Cougars! The France Challenge, the 5th game of the final… To keep this momentum going, Montigny will be led by Dylan Mayeux, who knows his lifelong club and how to win.
BTVF: What made you want to take on the role of manager for the Cougars?
I’m a club kid… I’ve always known Montigny, except for a brief two-year stint in Sénart. I’ve gone through all the age categories, and on top of that, I work for the Yvelines Departmental Committee as the development manager. I have real experience in different aspects of baseball. Within the Cougars, I’ve not only been a player, I’ve always been involved in the club’s life, to help out, lend a hand, support an action, assist… It’s fascinating, but I think it was time for me to focus solely on the D1, as it’s a heavy task. I’m thrilled that the management trusted me to handle the team alone.
BTVF: What kind of coach are you?
By definition, I’m quite close to the players, whom I’ve been around for years. I have affinities with everyone, which can have positive or negative aspects. It’s up to me to know how to separate things. I already had a role in the team, and I have the real feeling that the group is happy to see me officially take the reins, after always being involved in coaching. Overall, I’m someone who is rather calm, open, and listening.
BTVF: Tell us about last season. It was truly magnificent for the Cougars…
It’s pure pleasure to see years of effort come to fruition. All that time when we had the goal of winning, because that’s why we’re on the field, but where we knew it was difficult to achieve it. Last year, we went all the way, without necessarily having all the resources at our disposal, with injured or unavailable players. It’s really the most enjoyable way to win!
BTVF: There’s a player who played a considerable part in your successes, Yorfrank Lopez. Can you tell us a few words about him?
I have a lot of affinities with Yorfrank. We talk a lot, and it’s fascinating because he knows baseball inside out. He came off a bit more complicated seasons, with injuries and also on a personal level. Now, we’ve managed to put him in good conditions outside the field, he has his apartment, his job, he’s perfectly integrated into French life, and it’s beneficial for everyone!
BTVF: What will your goals be for this season?
Obviously, the ultimate goal is to win everything. But we’ll take it step by step. First, we aim for the playoffs in the championship, the semifinals of the Challenge, and also to achieve a good result in the European Cup to bring France back to Group A.
BTVF: Is this second European Cup for the club really an important challenge?
Yes, I’m banking a lot on this competition. We’re going to give ourselves the means to achieve something good. We’re already thinking about it, preparing, knowing that it’s a very big challenge and that we need to be ready. We’re going to maximize our chances of achieving a good result, and I think we have the possibility to get there.
BTVF: How do you approach the new JFL regulations?
I think the majority of clubs are in favor of it. It’s a good thing to favor French players. After all, it’s the first year and adjustments are needed. I think of the case of Kyllian Besoli, who doesn’t fit into the JFL categories. It’s really unfair for him, he finds himself in competition with foreign players while he’s French. We’ve tried to engage in dialogue with the Federation, and I hope we’ll reach a solution, even if for now, nothing is moving.
BTVF: Are you satisfied with the switch to a single pool of 8 teams?
I do indeed prefer this format. Granted, it’s more complicated for travel, but it’s part of the game, the system. You have to know how to make sacrifices. It’s much better to be able to play against everyone, and it limits surprises. When I think back to last year’s final, we had only faced the Barracudas once, in the Challenge, and I think we were a bit surprised by their players, their pitchers. I’m not looking for any excuses, I’m not questioning Montpellier’s victory at all, of course! I’m just saying that the sporting balance is better with a pool of 8 teams.
BTVF: What is the Cougars’ recruitment like?
We’ve signed a new outfielder, Felipe Lot-Martins, who played in La Rochelle. He interested us because Rafael Jimenez told us he was going to retire from sports. Well, he’s a bit hesitant, he might be present for a few highlights of the season. At catcher, we’ve recruited Nolan Soliveres, which will allow us to relieve Gabriel do Carmo’s workload and bring power to the lineup. And then we welcome back Warren Coopman with open arms. He’s wanted to come back for some time, he feels good, he’s going to strengthen our infield. Otherwise, we keep the core of the group, Yorfrank at the forefront. And then I think I’ll integrate some of our academy’s young players into certain matches, I really have the philosophy of playing as many French players as possible.
BTVF: Which teams do you fear the most?
After their last season, the Huskies will be dangerous. They know how to bounce back and seem to have made a very big recruitment. Montpellier will always be there, as every year. On the Sénart side, I have the impression that they are more in a rejuvenation mode.
