Finally, a year where all competitions could take place. After two years of scarcity, we saw all categories, championships, challenges, opens, and European Cups unfold across the country. It’s a true joy to see French clubs alongside the federation organizing and showcasing all these competitions.
On the results front, there are the usual winners (Rouen in Baseball) and some surprises (Évry in women’s softball).
For the French national teams, baseball5 and women’s baseball delighted spectators. The other teams were somewhat battered, but the trend is toward progress (U15, Senior Baseball).
In European Cup action, French clubs are shining more and more regularly, and 2022 will remain a strong year for both baseball and softball.
The number of licensed players is increasing, as is the number of clubs. Media visibility remains timid, despite a small peak during Bruce Bochy’s visit for the World Baseball Classic.
Regarding match broadcasts, Rouen joined the fray, while Montpellier dropped off slightly. Valenciennes confirmed its place alongside the pioneers: Sénart and La Rochelle. For the France Challenge, organizing clubs made efforts. We should see Metz dip its toe in next year. The sports commission encourages broadcasting, which has become a tool for progress and visibility, but provides no means or framework for this support.
This brings us to a constant theme heard here and there in club management conversations: financial difficulties. Local governments supported clubs during the COVID years but have since started to cut back. Next year, with inflation and rising energy costs, minor sports risk taking another hit. We’ll have to rely on the energy of volunteers to make up the difference.
Let’s take a moment to focus on the showcase of our sport: Division 1 baseball. The championship went well with a few surprises in the middle of the table, but the overall appeal of this competition was lackluster due to the low number of games and the legendary dominance of the Rouen Huskies. Success will come through a more packed schedule, which won’t really be the case in 2023, and through a different preparation logic for other teams: namely, working with locally trained players rather than European or foreign recruits. The year 2024 should encourage clubs to aim for this local player strategy, and that’s a good thing. Each year, a significant number of young French players (25, including one pro) continue their careers abroad, and each time, they reach a new level in status and success. These players will inevitably return one day and enhance our championships.
Looking ahead, the federation focused this year on the successful management of competitions, and it worked well. 2023 won’t be a year of major announcements. In fact, the only news was the departure of cricket and the arrival of Esport. In 2024, with the federation’s 100th anniversary, we hope for a more celebratory year, which will naturally lead to another perspective in 2025: MLB games in Paris.
We have high hopes for results in the European Championship in September 2023 in the Czech Republic, even if they are the favorites. Keino Perez will resume his role as leader and has one year to build a top French collective.
In short, it’s a year of momentum with many competitions and good ideas just getting started (like the EDF baseball cards, for example).
For Baseball TV France, we’re wrapping up the year with over 3,500 downloads of our app. Our social media coverage has reached over 10,000 views across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Next year, we’ll work closely with clubs and the federation to bring you even more information. We’ll also set up broadcast assistance to help each club better cover its competitions.
Happy New Year 2023 to all.
The Baseball TV France editorial team
