Traditionally, the month of May is adorned with beautiful tournaments known as the Challenge de France. This is a competition spanning three or four days where the best teams from each Division 1 championship face off. The winner earns a ticket to the European Club Cup corresponding to this competition against the other European Champions Cup for the champions of said championships. These tournaments are governed by roster and line-up rules different from the championships. Pitching depth is often the key to success for these back-to-back games. Endurance over time is the main quality to go far in the competition.
Let’s analyze together the three weekends of May 2023 to come that will host a Challenge de France.
May 6-8: Men’s Softball Challenge de France in Rouen
This is the second organization of this Challenge de France. The first took place in 2018 and was won by the Montpellier Barracudas. They were able to participate in the European Cup following that. In 2022, the competition was not rescheduled. It is back this upcoming weekend with six teams:
• Clapiers-Jacou
• Montpellier
• Pessac
• Rouen
• Saint-Raphaël
• Toulouse
In the first round, the teams are divided into two groups of three and face off in a round-robin format.
The top two from each group will advance to the crossover semifinals and then the finals. The bottom two will face off in a consolation match.
Favorites or underdogs, one might think that Montpellier and Clapiers will be battling it out for the victory.
The results and standings will be here
All matches will be broadcast on HuskiesTV
May 18-21: Division 1 Baseball Challenge de France in Sénart
This baseball event will take place at the Templiers Stadium in Sénart and at the Limeil-Brévannes stadium.
Last year, Savigny lost 2-11 to the winners: the Rouen Huskies.
The eight best teams in Division 1 will face off this year as well, divided into two pools. Here is the schedule:
Thursday, May 18
AT TEMPLIERS STADIUM
- 1:00 PM (MA1) > La Rochelle Boucaniers vs Metz Cometz
- 7:00 PM (MA2) > Rouen Huskies – Sénart Templiers
AT LIMEIL-BRÉVANNES
- 11:30 AM (MB1) > Montpellier Barracudas – Montigny Cougars
- 5:00 PM (MB2) > Savigny Lions – Stade Toulousain Baseball
Friday, May 19
AT TEMPLIERS STADIUM
- 10:00 AM (MA3) > Loser MA1 – Loser MA2
- 2:00 PM (MA4) > Winner MA1 – Winner MA2
- 7:00 PM (MA5) > Loser MA4 – Winner MA3
AT LIMEIL-BRÉVANNES
- 10:00 AM (MB3) > Loser MB1 – Loser MB2
- 1:30 PM (MB4) > Winner MB1 – Winner MB2
- 5:00 PM (MB5) > Loser MB4 – Winner MB3
Saturday, May 20
AT TEMPLIERS STADIUM
- 1:00 PM > 1st Semifinal (Winner MA4 – Winner MB5)
- 7:00 PM > 2nd Semifinal (Winner MB4 – Winner MA5)
Sunday, May 21
AT TEMPLIERS STADIUM
- 2:00 PM > Final
Given the current championship results, one might be tempted to bet on Montpellier. However, Pool B with Savigny, Toulouse, and Montigny is likely to heat things up. In the other pool, Rouen has a chance to aim for the semifinals against the teams from La Rochelle, Metz, and Sénart.
The results and standings will be here
All matches will be broadcast on Templiers TV
May 27-28: Division 1 Women’s Softball Challenge de France in Evry-Courcouronnes
In 2022, it took place in June in Saint Raphael. The Grenoble Grizzlies emerged victorious. This year, it is organized in Evry with 6 teams: Grenoble, Saint Raphael, Evry, and Clapiers, along with the teams from Paris and Nice. The latter two are a bit below expectations compared to the four leaders. The Grenoble team will have to step up their game to retain the title.
The results and standings will be here
All matches will be broadcast on Evry TV
