[Travelogue] Nicolas, 25, the American Dream in a Baseball Glove
By our special correspondent, Bon-Encontre / New York
Bon-Encontre, Lot-et-Garonne — The field is modest, nestled between the departmental road and the pines. But this is where it all began. Every week, since the age of 10, a young boy trained here, in the rain or the sun, hitting, throwing, running, dreaming. Fifteen years later, that boy has grown up. He is Nicolas Guyot, he is 25 years old, and he is now the player-manager of the Bon-Encontre Indians.
But this spring, it’s not on the bench or in the outfield where you’ll find him. It’s on the other side of the Atlantic that Nicolas has decided to live the trip of a lifetime. A dream nurtured since childhood: to attend baseball games in the United States, where this sport is a religion.
« I told myself: if I’m going to do it… I might as well do it big, » he smiles. 17 ballparks, 25 games, 1 glove, and 1 ball in his backpack—that’s the slightly crazy challenge he’s set for himself. Entirely self-funded, this journey across the United States is as much a sporting quest as a human adventure. He leaves alone, but doesn’t plan to stay alone for long.
His goal? Catch a foul ball. Exchange a few pitches in a park with American fans. Maybe even get an autograph or a selfie with a Major League player. « That would be magical, » he says simply, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
New York, Yankee Stadium — This is where his adventure began. The first thrill. The emotional shock. « I was standing in the stands, and suddenly… I felt the whole stadium vibrate. The energy, the chants, the looks. Nothing like what you see on TV. I had goosebumps, I was in a waking dream. »
But this trip isn’t just a stadium tour. It’s a meeting with a culture, a people, a sacred ground shared among passionate fans. Nicolas wants to forge bonds, talk baseball in his approximate English, throw balls with strangers who become friends for a moment. He left to see baseball. He’ll return with memories, exchanges, stories. We’ll make a report on his return from this crazy journey.
Follow Nicolas on his Instagram page: username:
nicoaroundtheusa
