Summer has arrived, festivals are in full swing, pitches are drying out, and Americans are recruiting or promoting our French expats. So let’s take a snapshot of our various national championships and make some risky predictions.
. Baseball – Division 1: Positions are set, uncertainty looms for the chasers
As summer settles in, the end-of-season maneuvers are in full swing. Three matchdays to go, one postponed match (Metz-Montpellier), and standings that are starting to take shape.
✔ Safe: Montpellier and Rouen, see you in the playoffs
No suspense for the championship’s two powerhouses: Montpellier and Rouen are officially qualified for the playoffs. If their presence is assured, the order remains to be determined: Montpellier has the advantage, but Rouen can still dream of the top spot.
At the bottom of the table, the situation is almost sealed for Metz. With seven matches to play (including two against Sénart, Béziers, and La Rochelle), the Lorrains would need a perfect run and a complete collapse from their rivals to hope to avoid relegation. A highly unlikely scenario.
🔄 Probable: Toulouse and Savigny on the prowl, Sénart and Béziers can spring a surprise
The calendar has its quirks: the 12th and 14th matchdays will see Montpellier face Béziers, Rouen challenge Toulouse. Suffice to say that Sénart, Béziers, and even La Rochelle could capitalize on a stumble to play spoiler in the semifinals race.
❌ Unlikely: Outsiders lying in wait, Metz out of the running?
La Rochelle, Sénart, and Béziers will have their say in the final showdowns, but their playoff ticket remains conditional on a perfect alignment of the stars. For Metz, fate seems sealed.
🗓 Note: The final phases will begin on August 16th and will be a best-of-five series for the final. This ends early to allow internationals to prepare calmly for the European Championship, which begins on September 20th.
🏆 Prediction: Montpellier French champion
Women’s Softball – Division 1: Summit duel between Saint-Raphaël and Évry
Three matchdays remain, a long summer break between the 9th and the final matchday in September, and a championship that seems to have already crowned its queens.
✔ Safe: Saint-Raphaël on track for the final
Saint-Raphaël and Évry are the two main favorites. Strong from their recent victories over their direct rival, Saint-Raphaël is heading towards the top spot in the regular season. The final will begin on October 5th in five innings.
Pessac, solid in the mid-table, should not be troubled.
🔄 Probable: The battle to avoid the wooden spoon intensifies.
Grenoble, Clapiers, and Colombes are engaged in a long-distance battle to avoid the last place. Clapiers, who will face the two giants of the championship at the end, seem the least fortunate.
🏆 Prediction: Saint-Raphaël French champion
Men’s Softball – Division 1: Duel for the final, suspense for survival
Two matchdays left on the schedule, including the last one in September, but the top of the table has already decided.
✔ Safe: Nice and Évry in control
Nice and Évry are assured of playing in the final. The question is who will have home advantage. Their direct clash in the last two matchdays promises to be decisive.
🔄 Probable: Tense survival battle between Pessac and Contes
Pessac seems doomed to play for survival. But if Contes manages to pull off the feat against Évry in the eighth matchday, everything could be reignited before the final matchday. A tie that would spice up the duel to avoid the last place.
🏆 Prediction: Évry in pole position for the title
Baseball – Division 2: The verdict approaches, last cards to play
Final matchday coming up before playoffs that will begin at the end of August. The top two from each pool will qualify, while the less fortunate will play for survival.
Pool A
✔ Safe: Valenciennes qualified
With a comfortable lead, Valenciennes has secured their playoff spot. Untouchable at the top.
🔄 Probable: Tight race for second place between Montigny and PUC
Montigny will need to dominate Bréal, while PUC will try to capitalize against Rouen. In case of double victories for each, Montigny, with a slight point advantage, would pass. But if Bréal and Rouen both fall, Rouen would find themselves playing for their survival in the relegation match.
Pool B
✔ Safe: Nice and Meysieu qualified, Vallée du Gapeau condemned
No suspense here: the dice are cast. Nice and Meysieu will play the playoffs, Vallée du Gapeau will play the survival final.
🏆 D2 Prediction: Valenciennes, solid and consistent, favorite for the title and promotion to D1
