The French Baseball and Softball Federation created a Memory Commission in 2021 to chronicle the history of their sports and honor those who contributed to their development, following the lead of other sports federations and complementing initiatives by community clubs, including the creation of Halls of Fame and the retirement of iconic player and executive jerseys.
One of the Commission’s goals is to prepare for the Federation’s centennial in 2024. Led by President Véronique Grisot-Garbacz, a motivated and experienced team has formed to serve the memory of our sports.
With the release of the FFBS Centennial logo, the History Commission is calling on the French baseball and softball community to collect historical archives (photos, videos, newspaper clippings, objects) and conduct interviews with notable figures. These elements are crucial for the success of the Centennial celebration in 2024, so don’t hesitate to contact the Commission via the address here.
The Commission also extends warm thanks to Olivier, who shared his grandfather Robert Berthet’s archives, including the diploma he received from Baron Pierre de Coubertin during an exhibition match between the Ranelagh BCC (a Parisian club founded in 1913) and an American team on the sidelines of the 2024 Paris Olympics, as well as a photo with his teammates during a match against a Spanish team in Barcelona in 1928. One of the first French baseball internationals, Mr. Berthet also became a Federation executive in 1951.
To ensure the Centennial and its celebration endure, a dedicated section on the memory of our sports has been added to the federal newsletter, featuring monthly highlights from the sport’s history and profiles of personalities who contributed to the development of baseball and softball in France, such as Robert Berthet.
Other initiatives are planned and will be unveiled progressively.
For the History Commission, Vincent Kropf, Gaétan Alibert, Meddy Ligner, Didier Cannioux, Olivier Dubaut, Véronique Grisot-Garbacz
