Since the Team USA 15U won the World Championship final against Cuba, we have been able to analyze the performance of the French 15U team. This was France’s first participation at this level of competition. The young French players, along with the young players from the Czech Republic, had secured their ticket to compete in a tournament among the best. The best are the nations that have dominated baseball for many years: USA, Japan, Cuba, Panama, Colombia…
After a collective preparation at the Creps de Toulouse led by Jean Michel MAYEUR and his staff, the France team set foot in Mexico! A magnificent stadium, unlike any in France.
13 countries represented in this World Cup, divided into 3 groups.
France appeared in Group B, composed of Japan (reigning world champions), Panama, and Colombia.
The three matches were lost, but the Blues showed some beautiful actions and have nothing to be ashamed of! One might tend to say that the result is normal, that their chances were nil. However, they needed to gain experience and to uncomplex the future teams that will come, without fail, in this competition in the future.
During the classification matches, France lost to a strong Czech team. The two teams know each other well as they met last summer during the European Championships!
The Blues returned with 2 victories: 10-0 against Guam and 8-1 against South Africa.
Temperatures frequently exceeding 42°C and the time difference did not dampen their motivation.
They finished in 11th place, cheered on by a group of parents who made the trip.
Mattéo PIERRE, a young player from La Rochelle, was part of the trip.
Starting in all 6 matches, mainly as a catcher, he fully enjoyed this fabulous adventure within a united team.
Here’s his take:
« It was a great enriching experience. It was an opportunity for me to play against the best nations in the world at my age. And then there’s a certain pride because it’s the first time France has won two matches in a world competition. There was really a very united group and a very good atmosphere with all the players. »
We will also return to another teammate: Ben COUVREUR, who left with the prestigious trophy of best pitcher of the competition in an upcoming portrait.
This is an exceptional experience that our young French players lived, allowing them to face top-level competition. They put their hearts and courage into it and proudly represented our colors.
