We thought it would happen in 2022, but it didn’t. However, the Federation has announced the next All-Star Game in Metz for 2023, set for Bastille Day on July 14th.
This celebration of high-level French baseball began in 2016 in La Rochelle, with the second year also held in La Rochelle and the third in La Teste de Buch. The federation then halted its organization due to budgetary reasons, and the health crisis further buried this beautiful event.
The French national team faces off against a selection of the best foreign players in the current championship. In one year, a vote was even organized to choose the selected players. The champions’ match is preceded by a Home Run Derby, unmatched in France.
While this friendly match has no impact on players, coaches, or teams in terms of sporting rewards, it is above all a highlight of spectacle. If previous editions were not broadcast, this will surely change with Cometz, who will certainly find the means to launch their TV channel next year, encouraged by the prospects and communication benefits.
In 2016, in La Rochelle, the players arrived on Harley Davidsons.
Meanwhile, the home run derby is a real tournament that will showcase one or more players and will undoubtedly be a notable addition to their baseball résumé. Felix Brown won the 2016 edition, Carter the 2017, and Velasko the 2018. The last two are no longer in our championship, but Felix Brown remains one of the pillars of the French national team and the Templiers de Sénart.
Perhaps, following the example of the Japanese, it would also be opportune to add a third tournament on the same day: the bunting contest. In any case, the more spectacle there is, the more our sport benefits.
Alongside this announcement, the FFBS has also designated the organizers for the upcoming France Challenges:
In baseball, it will be from May 18th to 21st with the Templiers de Sénart and Limeil-Brévannes.
In softball:
For the men: from May 6th to 8th in Rouen.
For the women: from May 27th to 29th in Évry-Courcouronnes.
