Continuing with David Ten Eyck, the President/General Manager of Metz.
o The essential virtue of a good club president
The ability to unite.
o The main trait of my character as a leader
I don’t consider myself a leader. I establish a framework that allows members of my club to express themselves to the best of their ability, and that allows leaders to emerge in the different areas.
o The quality I prefer in a coach
The ability to motivate players and give them the drive to push themselves.
o The quality I prefer in a player
Fight.
o My main flaw as a manager
I transitioned to new computer tools too slowly – shared files, new communication methods that multiplied during COVID… My way of delegating and communicating is therefore not always in line with current expectations.
o My greatest strength in team management
It’s difficult to judge oneself. I think I am someone who is consistent and loyal.
o My favorite moment in a sports season
The long evenings around the field in June and July.
o My ultimate dream for the club
To establish itself permanently as a ‘big club’, with all that implies: the facilities, the finances, the consistency at the highest level in baseball, the presence of a women’s softball team at the national level, a dynamic baseball school and a Hope Pole in the corner for young athletes who wish to follow that path…
o What would be my biggest failure as president?
If the members only care about the life of their section or their team and not about the life of the club as a whole, that means the President and his board have not done their job well.
o The club ritual or tradition I like the most
I have become very attached to our Christmas party over the years.
o My favorite quote on team management or sports
‘You spend a good piece of your life gripping a baseball and in the end it turns out that it was the other way around all the time.’ – Jim Bouton
o The coach or trainer I would have liked to inspire myself from
Bobby Cox.
o My greatest pride as a manager
Our first national title – in 12U in 2018.
o What I hate the most about managing a club
Managing the winter: in the USA, you hang up your glove in October, and you don’t seriously think about baseball again until after the Christmas holidays. But amateur sports in France are tied to the school calendar, so we are forced to propose somewhat artificial activities, right when we need a break. And as a result, there is never any rest!
o The biggest mistake a manager can make in my opinion
Putting too much emphasis on the security of his structure and not accepting the necessary risks to grow his club.
o The natural talent I would like to have as a leader
I don’t have much charisma. Having the ability to hook people with your personality is a great advantage for a club president.
o My ideal vision of the club in 10 years
I already answered by talking about my ultimate dream for my club.
o My state of mind at the dawn of a new season
Full of optimism. We had two or three months of real rest for the first time since the playoff preparations in 2023. The local players have gained experience and are in the right mindset to approach the season. We have done a good recruitment. The first shovel for the clubhouse construction will be given on March 3rd. We will host the France Challenge in May. 2025 will be a great year for the Cometz!
o The mistake that inspires the most indulgence in me from a player or a coach
Any mistake that results from a player’s passion for baseball and the desire to produce beautiful play.
o My motto as president
‘The journey of an amateur sports club is always two steps forward, then one step back. Success in the long term depends on its ability to maximize progress when opportunities arise, and to take the hard blows that will inevitably happen, without getting discouraged.’
