Action resumes at the top level of France’s national pastime.
Four leaders are gearing up for the playoffs, with the north heavily represented compared to the south. That said, the Barracudas, the sole southern club and 2021 Challenge de France winners, feel the tide turning in their favor this season, and it’s easy to see why when you look at their impressive performances. Runners-up in Group B, the first team from Hérault, led by JM Mayeur, finished the regular season with a 17-3 record, a .286 batting average, and a 2.18 ERA (led by ‘K-Nelon’). It’s also a team packed with internationals and young talent. Brossier (2000), Doat U18 (2005), Nayral U18 (2004). And of course, Ozanich (0.50 ERA, 4-1), Soliveres, … Not to mention numerous foreign players. Veyrassi’s team will face the Roanne pack in a crossover semifinal that they crushed in the Challenge final. But beware.
If you think of green Normandy and are a baseball fan, one club comes to mind: the Rouen Huskies. Top of Group A. Historically the most capped club in French baseball. The most dominant and consistent as well. 15 French championship titles, 9 Challenge de France wins, runners-up in the 2007 European Cup… Who can stop the Huskies, who seem to be dragging French baseball history along with an unknown fervor? At Stade Saint Exupéry, many internationals also play. Perez (EDF manager), Biller (EDF coach), Prioul, Moulin, Dagneau … The Huskies in the championship: (12W-4L), .276 avg and a fine ERA of 2.71. It smells like a high-flying confrontation, it will be either confirmation for the Barracudas or revenge for the Huskies.
Qualified second in Group A, the Lions of Savigny have been assuming their place among the best high-level clubs for years. 5-time French champions, two Challenge de France victories, runners-up in the Cup of Cup Winners in 2006, runners-up in the CEB European Cup in 1998 and 2001. Winners of the European Champions Cup (Group B) in 2002. Winners of the CEB European Cup (Group B) in 1996. Participation in the European Champions Clubs Cup (Group A): 1999, 2003, 2010. Ok… In 2021 for D1 it’s a record of 10W-6L, .286 avg, ERA 3.67. 
It’s against the top of Group B that the Lions will have to impose their baseball. The Templiers, complicated to destabilize this year again, with an impressive record of 18W-2L, have definitively won their pole position by sharing with the Montpelliérains during the last delayed day of the championship. Even if there are great disparities in Group B between the top two and the rest of the contenders, it is no less true that the proud Templiers have largely deserved their rank. Runners-up in the CEB Cup this season behind Brno (Czech Republic), French champions 2014, 7-time French runners-up and 4 Challenge de France titles. Damned! We don’t need to introduce the « Sieurs » Perdomo, Brown, Holland… And the internationals such as Paz, Paola, Meurant T. …
Now it’s up to our champions to express themselves. First games this Saturday, October 2nd. The same date, at 3 PM, you can follow the return matches in La Rochelle of the first round of the D1 play-downs between Toulouse and the Boucaniers live on BTVF!
Photo credits Glenn Gervot.
Vincent Picard
