The resilient club that year after year manages to maintain its level in D1 despite not having a home field to host matches. Finishing fifth in 2023, the Lions of Savigny-sur-Orge are tightening this year around their central player who takes on the role of manager for the team. He performed in 2023, notably winning the home run derby. Baseball TV France met up with Ivan Acuna.
BTVF: This year you will be both coach and player. Doesn’t that scare you?
Not at all. For years, I’ve been involved in training and competitive matches. My opinion always counts before, during, and after a game. This is just an official recognition. Of course, it means managing the line-ups and checking the pitching. My experience is a real asset for handling pressure and decision-making moments.
BTVF: What means have you given yourself to achieve your goals?
Two, even three days a week for training. The organization of training is more effective. There are individual and team exercises, so we try to maximize the 2h30 to improve communication.
BTVF: With 8 teams, that means facing 7 different teams this year. What will that change?
It will depend mostly on us. If we do things right, it won’t be complicated. We won’t make the same mistakes as last year when we played against Nice twice over two consecutive weekends. I find the new system more interesting because you can’t rely on one pool being weaker than another. The level will be tighter, and you won’t discover a team during the playoffs that you haven’t played during the season.
BTVF: On the recruitment side, what was your strategy this year?
Two foreigners who were already here: myself and Evertz Orozco. Then two new players from the French championship. Johnny Romero, a pitcher from PUC, and Agustin Tissera, who played in 2022 for Montigny. We have players I know well and who know the French championship.
BTVF: Don’t the JFL rules seem like a constraint for you?
No, some teams fear this new rule more than we do. Our roster has been well thought out for many years, unknowingly meeting these new rules. This will make the championship more open as some teams will have to adapt better to this. But I don’t look at other teams the way I look at mine. Our philosophy, our communication, our belief are at the heart of our success.
BTVF: How would you define Ivan Acuna’s coaching style?
Lots of communication before, during, and after the game. I can’t hide that I’m a Latino and I’ll have to work on staying calm and bringing serenity to my team. I need to play less with my emotions and prioritize my reason. I’m 29, the age of reason. I live here, I’m calmer with time, and the personal relationships I’ve built with all the players on my team will be a tremendous asset, even with new players I know well. We’ll work on repetition to play easy routines and create opportunities. Playing away over two days will also help, as planned with Sénart, La Rochelle—it’s better for the spectacle and the players’ stamina.
BTVF: What are Savigny’s strengths?
First, we have the possibility to have three catchers, including myself, to play all the matches. That’s not the case for all D1 teams. Then, I personally know all the players; I won’t discover a foreign player eight days before the opening day, unlike some other teams. Finally, I can coach from the dugout, but also as a DH or first baseman. Our adventures with the home field have strengthened us in resilience and for all the teams in the club, not just D1.
BTVF: What are your chances of winning the championship, the challenge, and qualifying for the European Cup?
On a scale of 10, I’d say 8. Personally, I’m convinced. Now, it’s up to me to instill that belief in all the players. Our main enemy is ourselves, not believing in our possibilities. Some young players on the team may doubt our chances; it’s up to me to reassure them and convince them of our strengths. We start the opening day against Toulouse, a team we know little about. We only faced them in the France Challenge last year. A real test right from the start of the season.
