A first in France: a tryout in Rouen for European players, organized by two professional teams from Quebec: Les Capitales de Québec and Les Aigles de Trois-Rivières. Baseball TV France met up with the French President of the Rouen club hosting this tryout and Patrick Scalabrini, the manager of the Capitales de Québec, who will oversee this recruitment event.
Pierre Yves Rolland : Hosting the first-ever recruitment camp in Europe, organized by the Capitales de Québec and the Aigles de Trois-Rivières, will be a highlight of this season’s start. It’s both a dream come true for us and a real vote of confidence from these two professional organizations towards our setup, that of the Huskies, which isn’t professional.
It’s incredibly validating. It motivates us to keep pushing hard on the quality of our facilities and our coaching staff, all for the young players who want to develop and perform at their best, even if we can’t offer salaries. This shows we’re on the right track. The club is a school of life, and we’re very proud of that.
This camp is open to all European players, but it’s also a unique opportunity for players on the French national team, whether from Rouen or elsewhere, to be spotted and signed by a professional club. It’s a chance they must seize. The two teams have committed to signing at least one player. There will be happy players at the end. We’re thrilled to offer this opportunity.
Interview with Patrick Scalabrini
BTVF: Who are you, Patrick Scalabrini?
I’m Patrick Scalabrini, head coach and baseball operations director for the Capitales de Québec since 2009. I was previously a professional baseball player for 9 seasons.
BTVF: For our French readers, can you describe the top-level professional competitions in Quebec?
The Frontier League is the only professional baseball league with teams in Quebec (Québec and Trois-Rivières). There are a total of 16 teams in the league: 15 in the United States and three in Canada, including Ottawa. There’s no longer any Major League-affiliated professional baseball since the Montreal Expos left.
BTVF: You’re coming to Rouen, France, on March 30th and 31st for a first-ever tryout. How did this need arise, and why do it in France?
We’ve had long-standing ties with French baseball, particularly with Rouen. A few French players (Max Lefebvre, Anthony Cros, René Leveret) have played for the Capitales over the years. Several Quebecers, including my brother Dany, have also played in France over the years, and we felt it was time to strengthen those ties. Additionally, baseball in Europe is growing rapidly, and we want to be the first to uncover talent for independent baseball.
BTVF: How will these two days unfold? What kinds of drills will you organize?
We’ll hold a classic pro tryout that will allow us to evaluate each player’s talents both in practice (data collection) and in game situations.
BTVF: What are your expectations in terms of results?
We don’t have specific expectations, but we want to assess the level of play and talent compared to what we can find in Quebec. I obviously expect to discover a few players who stand out for their talent.
BTVF: What can we wish you?
Simply to have a great time together and to start/continue a friendly partnership between our two countries for the future. Of course, also to find one or two players who will impress us and perhaps become key players for us.
All the details to sign up: here
