The final showdown of 2023 has concluded. The Rabbits of Clapiers-Jacou have achieved the double: Challenge de France and French Championship.
Men’s softball is gaining momentum in France, with two teams currently battling for top honors. This year, Clapiers edged out Montpellier’s Bracos. However, let’s not forget that the other four teams in the league are also making progress: Toulouse, Saint-Raphaël, Rouen, and Pessac.
This year, Rouen faced a rough patch, much like their baseball team. It’s a whole club that will work during the off-season to reignite their winning machine. The other three teams are closely matched and will likely be stronger next year, with the JFL effect in baseball pushing D1 or D2 baseball players to try their hand at softball.
Back to the Rabbits of Clapiers. Baseball met with the team’s happy captain: Grégoire Maurette
BTVF: How did this French Championship title come together over the past seasons and this one?
G.M.: This French Championship title is the result of several years of hard work, both on and off the field. Since 2021, we’ve been playing with the same group, joined by a foreign pitcher (Norman 2012) and Hector (2022-2023), as well as newcomers Jonathan Haras, Rony Papa, and Alex Mary this season. We have a cohesive group blending experienced players from the baseball circuit like Thomas Langloys, Alexandre Maurette, Jacques Bûcheron, and young players trained at the club with Lucas Dedieu, Simon Tuaillon, Liam Tranbarger.
This continuity within the squad has allowed us to evolve and gain confidence together to achieve our goal of winning the title! We can say that last season was a turning point for the team (defeat in the final 3-2 after leading 2-0 in the series against Montpellier). We knew we could look the Bracos straight in the eye, especially after our Challenge de France final victory 4-2. This year, with a dominant Hector and a dangerous line-up from batter 1 to 9, we were sure of our strength. The young players took on more importance in the group as the season progressed, forcing the ‘veterans’ to give even more on the field!
BTVF: What are your feelings after this title, and how do you see next season?
G.M.: It’s a feeling of joy and pride that fills me after this magnificent season! Happy to finally be rewarded for all the hard work to get here. It’s also a great pride to be able to bring these first two senior titles to the club that gives us so much and the means to be where we are today!
Thanks, DouDou! Alias Coach/President Eric Dedieu
The hardest part is yet to come. For us, the goal is simple: we will do everything to defend our two titles won this year! In the league, we will be the team to beat. Nice has a very strong roster, and the Bracos will want to come back even stronger with a sense of revenge.
We also have the European Cup, where we want to perform and do even better than this year! In short, an exciting season awaits, but now it’s time to recharge after a long but beautiful season.
