The man for new challenges, those that are recent and have everything to prove for the new French teams in Women’s Baseball and Baseball5. He looks back on the beautiful 2022 season for Baseball TV France.
BTVF: Who are you, Lahcene Benhamida?
L.B.: I am 51 years old, married with two children. I am currently a senior official with the FFBS. Licensed since the age of 14, I have been an international baseball player for 13 years. In parallel with my sports career, I obtained my sports educator diplomas, which allowed me to coach in clubs (Mixed Softball, Baseball 12U and 15U, Senior Elite) and various national teams (Cadet, Junior, Senior, Women’s Baseball, Baseball5).
I managed the France Baseball 12U team in 2015 and 2016, participating in the European and World Championships.
After a break from coaching, I resumed as the project manager for the Women’s Baseball collective in 2019 to lead, with André Lachance, the team to the European championship title. As the manager of this collective since 2020, we won the European championship title for the second time in 2022. In 2020, I was tasked with managing the France Senior Baseball5 team, which will participate in the first European Championship in Lithuania. We will leave with the European championship title and a qualification for the World Championship.
BTVF: The year 2022 was an international year with the two European Championships in Women’s Baseball and Baseball5 1U, followed by the Senior Baseball5 World Cup. How did you approach the entire schedule?
L.B.: I must admit that this year was quite complex in terms of organization and planning. But it was also very strong in emotions, especially thanks to the two European titles. In both cases, the journey and the victory were not so easy.
With my staff, we worked all year on the different objectives, detection programs, physical, technical, and mental preparation programs, relationships with the athletes, and final preparations.
Even though the deadlines were spaced out, we had to ensure continuous follow-up for the three collectives. With the two Baseball5 competitions back-to-back, my staff and I had to adapt to keep the groups focused on their respective objectives.
BTVF: Women’s baseball is on the rise in terms of results and recruitment. What are the necessary means now to go further in national and international competitions?
L.B.: By organizing the Open de France féminin de Baseball, the federation offers all baseball players the opportunity to practice among themselves and at a higher level. During the first edition in Valenciennes, I found that there was a real stake for the teams involved. I observed motivated, willing players, and at the same time in a very festive atmosphere. This competition must continue.
To continue to perform at the international level, it is essential that our players evolve at a higher level in the Baseball championship.
Take the example of Canada. More than 15 years ago, the girls were scattered in mixed teams of average-low level. Today, they perform in one of the best women’s championships in the world. There is no doubt that the level of the French team will rise when the base is stronger.
BTVF: Baseball5 is starting to take off in France, and the sporting results are beginning to meet expectations. How can we do even better?
L.B.: Once again, to raise the level of practice, several ingredients are needed: increase the number of practitioners, develop the offer of practice (more matches, tournaments, open competitions), train coaches in the specifics of the practice.
For our national teams, the level of demand will become increasingly high. Our athletes will have to follow a training program specific to Baseball5. We are considering regular practice for our young potentials in the form of gatherings initially and perhaps in the future the opening of a high-level structure.
BTVF: Let’s go back to the two European championship titles. What was your mindset as a selector and coach to achieve these results?
L.B.: Given the selected profiles and the objectives set for the two collectives, I opted for the same approach. I insisted with the athletes that they have fun on the field. Of course, the notion of competition was ever-present, but we had to abstract from the stakes, especially during the Women’s European Championship in France.
It was important for me to capitalize on the experience of the victories of 2019 and 2020 without resting on them. For me, this is the foundation of a winning culture. Self-questioning and humility must be reinforced by the confidence generated by victory. I also wanted to develop mutual confidence and the notion of « collective strength ».
I was pleasantly surprised to see the joy of living expressed by the young people of the France 17U team. This desire to « play » together was evident on and off the field throughout the competition.
BTVF: The first Baseball5 World Cup marked the times. You are now better informed about the world level. France has its card to play. What have you learned in Mexico to better approach future competitions?
L.B.: Indeed, this first world competition was rich in lessons. Despite our result far from our objective, I realized that we were close to the best nations. To integrate the top 6 in the world, we need to be more regular defensively, more punchy offensively, and better manage our emotional state in certain situations.
Some teams have perfectly combined the rigor of a very fast game and the detachment necessary to lower the pressure. We must not forget that Baseball5 remains a fun GAME.
We studied the strengths and weaknesses of our opponents. By playing some of them again, by adopting other tactical choices and a new approach, I am convinced of achieving better results.
BTVF: 2023, a new year of competitions. What are the stakes for the teams you coach?
L.B.: Regarding Baseball5, two major deadlines are on the horizon in 2023: the 18U World Championship (objective: Top 6) and the Senior European Championship (objective: champion), which will once again take place in Lithuania.
The objectives are similar for the two collectives in order to participate each year in a major international competition.
The members of the Senior collective have tasted a World Championship, I assure you they are eager to return.
For the Women’s Baseball team, the objective is to participate in the qualifying tournament for the 2024 World Championship. It is difficult to project a result without knowing the names of the opponents, nor even the location and date.
BTVF: What can we wish you?
L.B.: To continue to live beautiful emotions and beautiful results with our French teams. I always have in me the dream of bringing the France 18U Baseball5 team to the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar in 2026.
Photographic Credits: Glenn Gervot
