Blue Like Hope

The French team is back in action. They were supposed to face South Africa, with a touch of nostalgia and a hint of novelty, but they will ultimately cross the Pyrenees to face old rivals Spain in a four-game series. But the opponent matters little in the end. Because a new chapter is opening, driven by the determination of head coach Boris Rothermundt, who clearly intends to shake things up and put an end to years of disappointment and failure. To do this, a fresh perspective was needed. That will come from a man who knows European baseball and victory well: Canadian Mike Griffin, who led the Czech team from 2014 to 2021. He guided them to a 4th-place finish in 2014, their first-ever in history, followed by three 5th-place finishes in 2016, 2019, and 2021. The results may not be extraordinary, but he clearly paved the way for future successes, giving new generations a chance to grow together and learn to win, including securing some impressive results in the World Baseball Classic and a 3rd-place finish at the last European Championships. What’s interesting is that he’ll have a similar task: to help a talented group that seems ready to break through.

Griffin is bringing his coaching staff, as expected, including Cory Lee and Dave Jauss, who have both tasted MLB experience, but he will also rely on local expertise. And who better than Keino Perez to speak about French baseball? Even if it must be painful for him not to hold the manager title, his work ethic and professionalism will make him a valuable asset. Quentin Becquey, who has led the Rouen Huskies for three years, will also provide an informed and competitive perspective on France’s championship players. We also welcome the presence of a seasoned logistician, Rodolphe Le Meur, and the valuable contribution of a player agent to strengthen ties with those playing in North America. When it comes to a match series, a list of selected players follows. Willis isn’t Zidane, he doesn’t have 70 million selectors making these choices. Just a few hundred, at best a few thousand. Naturally, looking at the list, one questions certain selections or absences, though without fully understanding the availability constraints or personal considerations of the players. It’s clear that many potential starters are held back by their teams around the world, but this list already gives an indication of what the new coaching staff wants to achieve. Willis explains it well in an interview on the Federation’s website: «Our priority will be to develop team depth and give young players opportunities to be challenged, hoping to open more doors for them.» This is perfectly complemented by the head coach in the same interview: «The goal is to create competition, depth, and a true performance culture, so every player wearing the France jersey arrives prepared and knows exactly what is expected of them.» That’s all we ask for. And it’s great to see young players who have made serious progress this season in Division 1, like Émile Brelle, Romain Krzykawiak, Nathan Laot, Oscar Lebouc, or Théo Rioux, stepping up to the national team. It’s equally good to give a chance to a solid Division 1 player like Gabriel Harrison. It’s a positive sign to have the top hitter from the championship, Ivan Acuna, on the team. And then there are the usual stalwarts, who will certainly step up with even more strength and determination. We were just surprised to see Brown and Hanvi in this selection—not because of their level, but because it might have been better to include two more young players. «It’s Mike’s decision,» we were told by Boris Rothermundt, spotted in the stands at Chartres Stadium during the final. «He wanted to recognize their contributions to the French team and get a sense of their level and the role they could play in the group.» After all, with such a young squad, it’s always important to rely on experienced leaders.

The new coaching staff wants to cast a wide net. They speak of a talent pool of 70 players to draw from. That number made us smile a bit, because we already struggle to identify 30 players who seem capable of competing at the international level. But why not expand horizons, keep the pressure on as many players as possible, and dig up, who knows, one or two new gems? The task ahead is huge. The French team is still reeling from three painful European Championships. A 15th-place finish in 2021, which forced them into a qualifying phase to stay among the best, a 7th place in 2023, and a 12th in 2025, capped off by two embarrassing losses to Austria (3-6) and Switzerland (3-12). France has been chasing a podium since the last century, with that 3rd-place finish in 1999. Since then, the results have been mediocre: 4th in 2001, 5th in 2007, 6th in 2005, 2010, and 2014, 7th in 2003, 2016, and 2019, and 8th in 2012. We can regret some heroic losses to the continent’s top names, but it’s clear that France hits a glass ceiling when facing Italy, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Germany, or now Spain, Great Britain, and Israel head-on. So, a massive challenge awaits the new coaching staff.

Results may not necessarily come quickly at the next edition, which will take place in Germany (Regensburg and Munich). We don’t yet know the competition format, which seems to resemble that of 2025—though that one felt a bit convoluted. That is, France, placed in Group B, will likely qualify for the classification phase no matter what. If they finish 3rd or 4th, they’ll have to face one of the top two teams from Groups C or D (likely Spain, Israel, Italy, Croatia, or Austria) to advance. If they finish in the top two, they’ll automatically qualify for the quarterfinals. Regardless, France will face Slovakia (which should go well), then the Netherlands and Great Britain. So, they’ll already need to pull off an upset to avoid the playoff trap, where another huge challenge awaits the French team. Of course, we’d love to see the national team explode and land in the top four. But honestly, this 2027 edition doesn’t seem decisive. We can, we must, give this new staff and these new ideas some time. Patience is essential for this excitement sweeping through French baseball, this emergence of talent, and this will to win to truly take shape. If the French end up with another 6th or 7th place, so be it. Something is being built, and that’s what we’ll focus on, believing in it wholeheartedly.

France National Team Pitchers: N. Antoine (Reg), E. Brelle (Sen), G. Coste (Sav), F. De La Rosa (LaR), K. Esposito (Rou), R. Krzykawiak (LaR), N. Laot (Tou), T. Mercadier (Rou), Q. Moulin (Reg), E. Prioul (Rou)
Catcher: I. Acuna (Sav)
Infielders: F. Brown (Sen), O. Lebouc (Rou), J. Monks (Mpt), M. Lopez (Mac), T. Rioux (Rou)
Outfielders: P. Brossier (Mpt), F. Hanvi (Sen), L. Jiminian (Sav), J. Paula (Net), M. Zan (Mpt).
From October 3 to 7, 2026, the French national baseball team will face Spain in a four-game international series, played at Montjuïc, the venue of the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.

F. Colombier

Photo credit: Glenn Gervot