2025 Open de France Slowpitch Mixte: The Mariners Sail to Victory!
On July 5th and 6th, 2025, the Limeil-Brévannes field hosted the second edition of the Open de France Slowpitch Mixte. For those unfamiliar, slowpitch (or ‘slow-pitch’) is a softball discipline with specific rules designed to promote team play, accessibility, and offensive dynamism. What sets it apart? Among other things, the pitcher must deliver the ball with a high, arched trajectory (between 1.80m and 3.60m in height), making it easier to hit; no stolen bases or bunts are allowed, shifting the focus from individual speed to offensive teamwork.
Four teams competed: the host and defending champions, the Limeil-Brévannes Caribous, the Nantes Atlantique Mariners, the Rouen Huskies, and the Royal Expos (Ermont/Pontoise).
Round-Robin Phase: Tight Matches and Surprises
Saturday was dedicated to a full round-robin, with each team facing the other three. From the first matches, the high level of play was evident, with closely contested scores.
• The Caribous kicked things off with a convincing 13-7 win over the Royal Expos, reinforcing their status as favorites.
• The Mariners then edged out the Huskies 12-11.
• Rouen suffered a heavy 0-15 defeat against Limeil-Brévannes, who displayed impressive offensive power.
• Nantes continued their momentum with a 14-7 victory over the Expos, before falling 13-15 to the Caribous.
• The Royal Expos salvaged some pride with a 13-9 win over Rouen, while Nantes wrapped up the day with a 7-4 victory against Limeil-Brévannes, evening the score.
Standings After the Round-Robin Phase
Classification Matches
On Sunday, the matches confirmed the trends from the previous day:
• Match 1: The Caribous defeated Nantes 7-4, thanks to solid defense, and advanced to the final.
• Match 2: The Royal Expos dominated Rouen 11-5, relegating the Huskies to 4th place.
• Match 3: The Mariners easily dispatched the Royal Expos 22-3 and joined the Caribous in the final.
The Grand Finale: Nantes vs. Limeil-Brévannes – A Rematch with a Twist
Despite uncertain weather, the match went ahead and lived up to all expectations. The final pitted the tournament’s two best teams against each other in a rematch of the 2024 edition, where the Caribous had triumphed over Nantes. This time, the tables turned, and the Nantes Atlantique Mariners exacted their revenge with a thrilling 12-8 victory. Nantes’ Eric Floyd was named MVP of the final. For the Mariners, this win is more than just a trophy; after their 2024 final defeat, the team secures a prominent spot in the French slowpitch landscape and qualification for the 2027 European Cup!
Final Standings
- Nantes Atlantique Mariners
- Limeil-Brévannes Caribous
- Entente Royal Expos (Ermont/Pontoise)
- Rouen Huskies
In Conclusion
The 2025 Open de France Slowpitch Mixte confirmed the potential of this young competition. With closely contested matches, a spectacular final, and exemplary organization, the tournament solidified its place in the national calendar. The qualification for the European tournament, organized by WBSC Europe and bringing together the best national slowpitch mixed teams, gives the Mariners a spot among France’s representatives for this international competition.
Sébastien Dondé
Photo credits: FFBS website and social media.
