At the end of 2023, Baseball TV France reached out to Quentin Moulin and Nicolas Antoine, two French pitchers who had moved to Australia. They both played in the Japanese championship in 2024 and will reunite in the German league in 2025. Each time, they shared the same country but not the same club. Another meeting with these two French baseball twins.
BTVF: What, for you, is the major characteristic of each country in how they approach baseball within their championships?
Quentin Moulin: In Australia, and more specifically in Sydney, sport holds a central place, and baseball is widely played by young people. I had the opportunity to coach several teams throughout the season, with a lot of matches set up during the weekends. Additionally, there was active communication on social media, not only by the teams but also by leagues such as the ABL or the State League, in which I played. Young players thus have access to highlights, match recaps, statistics, as well as interviews with players from the Australian national team, for example. Many of them aspire to reach the highest levels of baseball in Australia, or even try their luck in the United States. On the other hand, the experience in Japan was quite different. For six months, we had an extremely intense program where baseball was our priority. Our days were dedicated to training, weightlifting, recovery (cold baths, stretching, mobility). The pace was very demanding, and there was little time to rest. If you weren’t at 100% at every training session, you risked not playing. The Japanese philosophy is focused on rigor, respect, and discipline, which makes their approach to the game and training unique.
Nicolas Antoine: It’s a bit complicated to define a major characteristic of France, but in comparison with other leagues, I would say that France is a pitcher’s league, unlike Australia, which is a hitter’s league. All teams have dangerous lineups from the leadoff hitter to the ninth! Japan is in a league of its own, with incredible discipline, a mentality, and positivity on the field that never breaks. Every game is intense; the hitters are quick, all capable of laying down the perfect bunt, dropping the ball in the gaps, or even hitting it over the fence! An extraordinary intensity emanates from Japanese baseball, and it’s no wonder the Japanese are among the best players in the world.
BTVF: From a cultural perspective, how is baseball perceived by spectators in these three countries according to your experience?
Quentin Moulin: In Australia and France, the perception of baseball by spectators is quite similar: they come mainly to have a good time with family or friends. On the other hand, in Japan, the atmosphere is completely different. The spectators are extremely close to us, creating a unique atmosphere. They sing throughout the match, even if we were down by 10 points, and they even followed us when we played away, showing their support by offering us gifts after good performances.
Nicolas Antoine: In Japan, baseball is the number one sport; everyone knows it, everyone watches it. The fans are extremely present and follow us for all our matches, both at home and away. It’s something incredible. In Australia, in terms of spectators, it’s rather similar to France. There are many more clubs in the same area, so people are a bit more aware that baseball exists, but it’s not the favorite sport like footy or cricket.
BTVF: You are approaching a fourth European country, Germany. What do you expect to be different from the other baseball leagues?
Quentin Moulin: I consider the German championship to be one of the best in Europe, with very good facilities. Additionally, German teams seem to have a more homogeneous level of play than in the French championship. I expect a very competitive championship, with about 5 or 6 teams that I think can compete for the title, and a high level of play throughout the season.
Nicolas Antoine: We know that baseball in Germany is well structured, with better facilities, more financial resources, and a lot of player exchanges during the offseason. We will be in a competitive league; that’s for sure!
BTVF: The coaches from each country have brought you different visions of your role as a pitcher. What do you think you have improved on?
Quentin Moulin: I have evolved a lot, both in my approach to matches and in my training methods, thanks to my experiences in Australia and Japan. These different cultures have allowed me to develop a more professional approach, not only on the field but also off it. I am now more rigorous and disciplined in my approach to the game and in my preparation. These experiences have given me a more mature game vision than in previous years.
Nicolas Antoine: Our time in Japan allowed us to evolve psychologically in the game. Of course, the mechanical work continues from training to training, and we take a bit from every coach we’ve had the chance to meet, but what I remember the most is that between our arrival in Japan and the end of the season, our approach was much more professional, both in terms of training and preparation before a match, for example.
BTVF: European fixtures return in 2025 for the French team. What do you think you can bring to this collective anew?
Quentin Moulin: I think that my experience gained through the championships in which I have played, as well as the exchanges with the players and coaches with whom I have trained and battled on the field, will allow me to bring a new and different experience to the team. We will have a group of young but united pitchers, as during the 2023 European Championship. After two more years of experience, each player will have developed new experiences, which will allow us to exchange ideas on the best way to approach the tournament and give ourselves the means to win every match.
Nicolas Antoine: More experience, more maturity. Playing in so many different leagues and countries teaches us to face different types of hitters and different approaches! The frustration of 2023 and the experience gained during these different seasons put us in a much better condition and ideal to perform in these upcoming challenges.
