A series of articles on the 10 Division 1 clubs ahead of the Opening Day on March 19th.
Interview with David Ten Eyck, President of the Cometz Club.
BTVF: What do you take away from the 2022 season?
A very positive balance. We finished the D1 season in sixth place (the best ranking in the history of our club), while giving significant playing time to our young local players. Of course, like everyone else (except Rouen), we have a few regrets. But we won’t be picky!
BTVF: What is your main objective for the 2023 season across all possible competitions for your club?
Our main objective in D1 is to be among the eight clubs that remain in the elite at the end of this season. Two (and potentially even three) good clubs will be relegated to D2 following this season. So we’ll have to fight hard to stay in D1. We’ll take the matches one by one, without complexes or excessive confidence. And as long as the stay in the top division is not assured, that will be our main objective.
That said, it will be much easier to secure the stay by going through the playoffs rather than the play-downs. And we are confident that we have a team with the capabilities to play the playoffs.
It’s the goal of creating a surprise by qualifying for the playoffs that has motivated us throughout the offseason.
BTVF: What collective strengths will you rely on to approach the matches one by one?
You are right to emphasize the importance of approaching the matches one by one.
This season will be very long and difficult, for everyone. We will need resources to perform throughout the year… from the preseason (which is already underway in February) to the final phase in September.
In my opinion, the ability to manage a season of this type is one of the major strengths of the Cometz.
On the sporting level, we will be able to rely on all the players who will be registered on our 30-man roster. This will be composed of 7-8 experienced local players, a dozen young local players, and then 6-7 players who will reinforce us for the season (players from other French regions, or foreign players). Almost the entire squad will be based in Metz for the season, so the players will be able to train together regularly.
On the coaching, governance, and logistics level, we are very well positioned:
Since 2019, Pierre Cézard has proven himself as one of the best managers in D1.
And I have a committee of twenty people who have been working hard for the club for years.
I take this opportunity, by the way, to thank Audrey Frulloni, who does a great job on logistics, in addition to her work as the club’s treasurer.
In short – there are collective strengths in place that go far beyond the 14 people who will travel for such and such a D1 matchday.
BTVF: In your opinion, which statements best suit your club regarding new players?
1- Wait until the last moment to announce and communicate the names
2- Build notoriety by announcing new players on social networks one by one before the season
3- Do not communicate to keep the surprise for the other clubs
4- Communicate to the French baseball media so they can relay the information
2 and/or 4. Honestly, for the arrival of new players, I think it’s important that communication is done before the season, to promote D1.
But I don’t attach the slightest importance to being the first to make the announcements. The element of surprise is generally very limited, by the way: clubs are often in contact with the same players… players and managers talk to each other…
For us, in any case, apart from the players based in Metz, Clément Noblet (C/OF/DH) will return to play with the Cometz in 2023, and we have also recruited Mathéo Prevost (SS/2B/C) with a license extension.
We have taken two foreign players who have strong ties to France on transfers: Shane Priest (SP) and Kenjiro Sugiura (RP/SS/3B). And so far we have finalized an agreement with two other foreigners: Matic Lesnjak (a Slovenian catcher) and Armani Henderson (an American-Dominican outfielder).
BTVF: Do you plan to broadcast the matches and if you already do, what improvements do you envision for 2023?
It’s a project – but I can’t promise anything for 2023. This project is also linked to the project of building a clubhouse, with fiber-optic connection behind the backstop and the possibility of storing computer equipment that this clubhouse will imply.
BTVF: What have you improved in terms of infrastructure for this new season?
We have completed the construction of a bullpen with three mounds, and we have built a structure around our two batting tunnels, which will now be covered and lit, and therefore usable all year round. This is a big step forward for our club.
We are lucky to have an exceptional field and infrastructure commission, and I would particularly like to thank Julien Py, Rémy Mangeat, and Victorien Roze for their expertise and long-term investment. Every year, there are infrastructure projects that motivate us and make our club evolve, and this would not be possible without these three people.
In addition to these training structure evolutions, the city of Metz will intervene in March to redo the drainage and irrigation system of our infield, and to redo the surface in alphaschiste. So a big improvement in sight for our playing surface.
BTVF: What have been the main adaptations in terms of training and recruitment that you have considered to prepare for the 2024 season (8 teams, locally trained players…)?
We’ll have to play the 2023 season before preparing for 2024!
I am especially waiting for exchanges to better define what we mean by « Locally Trained Player ». Because this is a question that goes far beyond D1 and D2, and concerns our development model as a whole.
Independently of this reflection, I don’t think there will be too many adaptations to make at Cometz. We will continue to put most of our energies into the development of young players and the structuring of our club and our territory.
BTVF: What can we wish you for 2023?
That we continue to enjoy working together for the sake of a collective project.
When the baseball section was relaunched by Pierre and Bruno in 2009, no one would have dared to imagine the evolution that our club has known since. If we are where we are today, it’s because we have a large group of players and volunteers who enjoy working together and playing together for the sake of their club and their team.
Let’s keep it up… The weekend of July 14th, with the reception of the All-Star Game, will be an opportunity to celebrate baseball in our city and our region!
