New World for a New Game.
Like countless baseball leagues around the world, France hosts several diasporas, scattered across all levels of play. The Americas, one of the two global hubs alongside Asia, continuously supply championships with players from across the Atlantic. Among them, our beloved « latinos ». Born in « Rep Dom », Venezuela, Mexico, less frequently Argentina, Chile, or Nicaragua, these players from the « New World » have been precious assets of « French-style » baseball for decades.
Who has never encountered on the field the cheerful demeanor of a « latino » with their big gestures and big smiles, accompanied by their headphones blasting salsa or vallenato to the rhythm of the « clave »? Who has never felt the joy of sharing baseball with a New World resident, seasoned with an occasional gibberish incomprehensible to most (even if you have your high school diploma)? Whether following a minor league experience (the dream of any « pelotero ») or simply wishing to live the foreign experience, many of these players join the « French » championship. Some make brief appearances, others settle in permanently. Here again are some of their portraits.
Tony Amoroso – 1.88 m, 90 kg. 25 years old
Born in a major baseball country, Venezuela, Tony begins his French baseball experience with the Boucaniers de La Rochelle. Armed with a solid fastball and an arsenal of tricky pitches that give opposing batters headaches, the tall right-hander can also express himself at the plate. Ideally positioned as a reliever, Tony has yet to lead the coastal team to victory. With 0W and 4L in 9 appearances, including 2 starts, Amoroso boasts a positive K/BB ratio with 37/23 and a 4.75 ERA over 30.1 innings pitched.
Yaeferson Gomez Lopez
Born in 2001 in Venezuela, Yaeferson began his French career in 2022 under the capital « R » of the Huskies. An enormous season that he concluded with 6W without any setbacks. In La Rochelle this year, Yaeferson unleashes his « Greek fire » on opposing line-ups, producing a 1.11 ERA and 5W with 1L. In his career, it’s 160K for 66BB in 122.1 innings pitched for the French championship. He has officially allowed no triples or home runs. A dominant pitcher.
Gabriel Do Carmo Barros – 28 years old
Brazil is well represented by one of its exported players in the person of Gabriel, compatriot of Bellen-Fagnoni. The intense No. 7 of the Montigny Cougars is endowed with remarkable endurance. This starting catcher already has a few French seasons under his belt. It began in 2016 with the Jimmer’s of Carlos Jiminian in Normandy. In 2018, Gabriel joined the Yvelines where he quickly adapted to the « climate ». Since his debut in France, he has maintained a .314 batting average with 3 HR, 18 triples, and 37 doubles. 131 RBIs and 80 stolen bases.
Robinson José MASTRE ARCIA – 27 years old.
The Ignymontains were strengthened in 2022 by a Venezuelan right-hander. Robinson led the Cougars to victory 10 times on the mound. With a 2.17 ERA in 108 IP and established himself as a starter. A K/BB ratio of 144/45, only 26 earned runs, and 7L. A shutout in 2022. An ideal teammate for Yorfranck.
Evertz Daniel OROZCO ALVARADO – 28 years old – 1.96m, 87 kg.
Photo Credit: Glenn Gervot
It was in 2019 that the Nicaraguan settled with the Lions. The right-handed giant has also been able to impose his baseball on the mound for Savigny. In 189.2 innings pitched, he has accumulated 18W for 8L. A shutout in 2020. A 2.14 ERA has allowed him, among other things, to limit his opponents’ average to .205. 201K, 66BB. Only 45 earned runs. Nicaragua, the 17th best nation in the world, is quite underrepresented in Europe. One can bet they would benefit from it…
Vincent Picard
