Do you know where the expression ‘black sheep’ comes from? The expression ‘black sheep’ originates from observing nature. Compared to their bright white coats, the black sheep stands out with its unusual appearance, its dark color that stands out in the flock. It thus becomes a metaphor for someone who is different, someone who is not like the others.
It’s this mindset of breaking the mold that led Julien Merlhe and Charline Ladarré-Gamby, two seasoned players, to start a baseball/softball club in the Aude, in Castelnaudary.
Baseball in rugby country! American culture in the cassoulet capital!
Intrigued, Baseball TV France met up with Julien Merlhe, delighted by the club’s recent affiliation with the FFBS.
BTVF: Can you introduce yourself and share your background?
I’m Julien Merlhe. I discovered baseball as a kid during a school exchange in the United States, and I started playing in Montauban 20 years ago. I also played for 10 years at Stade Toulousain, a club I was president of in the 2010s.
Later, I played softball at Clapiers Jacou.
Charline and I wanted to leave the big cities, live in a human-sized town, so we moved two years ago.
BTVF: What motivated you to create this baseball club?
We’re two co-managers. The club was created with Charline Ladarré-Gamby.
Charline is from Bordeaux; she’s played softball in several clubs: in Toulouse, the Paris region (BAT Paris and the Patriots), she’s traveled a lot; currently, she plays at Clapiers-Jacou.
We’ve been nurturing this project for a year and a half, and settling in Castelnaudary felt natural. The mayor was very open to the idea of hosting a baseball club. We’re really eager to develop it.
Here, we feel close to each other.
BTVF: How will you recruit new members for the club?
We’re active on social media, mainly Facebook and Instagram, and we have a website for various information.
The adult section is under construction; for now, we’re focusing our efforts on the youth section.
We’re in a region where kids initially go for rugby. So, the goal is to attract children, offer them a discipline not found everywhere; for adults, we’d start with mixed recreational softball.
Most of our communication is aimed at 6-12 year-olds, so primarily public and private schools.
In sports, we only look up, we live in the moment, we aim for quick performances.
We want to do things differently; we want to pass on the joy of the game to sustain the club, create an environment where it’s great to be.
The kids of today will become the teens and then the adults of the club.
BTVF: What challenges have you faced as a new baseball club?
As mentioned, we’ve been very well received by the mayor. We don’t have baseball-specific infrastructure, but there’s everything we need to start club activities.
What took longer was dealing with the federation, as there’s only one meeting per month.
Administratively, it was simpler in Castelnaudary. There’s a real willingness to shake things up in sports and associations.
Regarding American sports, there’s a basketball club and us.
BTVF: There wasn’t a baseball club in the Aude, and this year two clubs are emerging, the Carthars in Carcassonne and the Black Sheep in Castelnaudary.
Yes, there was a club in Narbonne over 10 years ago, but the club decided to only have a U9 section, and the club eventually died out in the 2010s.
We have exchanges with the Cathars of Carcassonne; we’ve had a few training sessions together to feel more comfortable.
Two clubs in the department are good; it could allow us to create a Departmental Committee, possibly by mid-2024.
BTVF: Currently, what equipment and facilities do you have?
Inflatable structures for demonstrations, basic gear, a screen, a field.
In Carcassonne, they have a baseball field under construction; we’re looking for a space to transform.
BTVF: What’s the origin of the name? Does your adorable mascot have a name?
Our rebellious spirit is the desire to do baseball differently, offer something other than a drive to perform, which is why we mainly target children.
We also wanted to play in black and white, so Black Sheep came naturally. Our colors also include gold.
BTVF: What can we wish you for the next season?
To have fun playing and attract more young players; that everyone has a good time. Training sessions are held at the Complexe du Millénaire from 10 AM to 12 PM. It’s on Rue Anatole France, in Castelnaudary.
Photo credits: club’s Facebook page.
Sébastien Dondé.
