For over 10 years, the Atlantic coast of southern France has hosted a beach-adapted bat sport: beach softball.
Several beaches at low tide with vast stretches of sand welcome softball fields tailored for the occasion and marked out. The sand can be dry, wet, or have puddles of seawater, making the conditions ideal for sliding!
Competitors come from all nationalities, and the fun, good mood is guaranteed. On the beaches of Andernos or Anglet, the yellow softball makes its way among the bathers. Novice spectators discover the joy of the players, both men and women, as the teams are obligatorily mixed.
Umpiring is rock-solid, just like the bases, which can move depending on the feet of the base defenders or the runners. Safe, out… come on, we decide what’s best for the fun of the game and the good atmosphere.
The batter’s footing is also very unpredictable, and hits or home runs aren’t so easy, especially since it’s slow pitch, so the ball falls slowly in the strike zone. The latter is, moreover, more of an accessory, as the batter doesn’t seek a walk, but aims to hit at all costs…
Spaniards, English, Irish, French from all over France, tournaments chain together short and intense matches.
The 2022 edition is underway (see you on Saturday, August 13, 2022, at Bétey Beach in Andernos for the 38th tournament), and plan your visit in 2023.
A federation kit would be a beautiful touch, as seen in other sports with a tour across several beaches in France… a dream…
