Baseball: qualified for the World Series in California, twelve young French players make a call for solidarity

They earned their spot on the field. Now they need to secure the funding to live their American dream.

There are competitions that change a career, sometimes even a life. For twelve young French players under 13, the PONY-13 World Series, held in Carlsbad, California from July 30 to August 3, 2026, represent much more than just a tournament: the unique opportunity to measure their skills against the world’s best teams while wearing the colors of France.

This adventure, they didn’t steal.

Vice-champions of the European PONY League qualifiers, the young players from the Development League of Baseball (DLB) secured their ticket to the most prestigious world competition in their category. A reward earned after several years of hard work, training, and investment from the players, coaches, and training clubs.

But the hardest part might not be behind them.

A dream worth 25,000 euros

To participate in the World Series, they now need to raise 25,000 euros. This amount will cover transportation, accommodation, meals, equipment, and all the logistics needed to allow the twelve players and their three coaches to represent France with dignity in the United States.

The challenge is collective.

Parents, individuals, businesses, clubs, leagues, partners, and baseball enthusiasts are invited to participate in this fundraising campaign. Every contribution, whether 10 or 10,000 euros, brings this generation closer to their goal.

Donations also qualify for tax benefits under French law, with a 66% tax reduction for individuals and 60% for businesses.

DLB, a new way to support young talents

Behind this qualification stands a young but already notable structure in the French baseball landscape: the Development League of Baseball (DLB).

Far from wanting to replace clubs, leagues, or the French Baseball and Softball Federation, DLB complements the existing offerings. Its simple ambition: to provide more opportunities to play, improve, and compete at high levels during periods when championships are on hiatus, especially during winter and school vacations.

Its project is based on three pillars: a national winter championship organized by geographical sectors, training camps for players and coaches, and for the most talented young players, access to national and international reference tournaments.

The goal is clear: to increase playing time, enrich sports experiences, promote the sharing of training methods, and contribute to the development of French baseball.

An adventure already well underway

Since its creation, DLB has already launched numerous initiatives.

In 2024, the association accompanied thirty-two young players to Osaka, Japan. It then launched a pilot winter championship bringing together several French clubs, before securing a remarkable second place in the European Pony League U13 qualifiers this season.

The Carlsbad World Series are now the logical next step in this progression.

Other projects are already planned, including participation in the U18 international tournament in Meppel, Netherlands, and the development of the 2026-2027 winter championship.

A team that brings together all of France’s baseball

This selection perfectly illustrates the richness of French baseball.

The qualified young players come from numerous training clubs: the Cerbères de Domont, the French Cubs de Chartres, the Barracudas de Montpellier, the Huskies de Rouen, the Stade Français, the Pirates de Béziers, the Pharaons d’Évry, the Buffaloes de Lieusaint, and the Paris Université Club.

Together, they will wear the blue jersey with a common ambition: to show that French baseball continues to progress on the international stage.

Now, it’s time to cross the final hurdle.

This time, victory depends not only on the players’ talent but on the mobilization of an entire community.

French baseball has a date with its future. Now it’s up to everyone to help these young players turn a historic qualification into an unforgettable adventure under the California sun.

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