France national baseball team

France national baseball team
Country  France
Confederation Confederation of European Baseball
Manager Kieran Mattison
World Cup
Appearances 3 (First in 1994)
Best result 15th
Intercontinental Cup
Appearances 3 (First in 1991)
Best result 7th

The French National Baseball team represents the French Federation of Baseball and Softball (Fédération française de baseball et softball) in international competitions, such as the World Baseball Classic, the European Baseball Championship or the World Cup of Baseball. They are currently ranked 24th in the world.

History

The history of the French team began in 1929 with their first official game against Spain in Barcelona with a 10–6 victory.[1] The team made its debut in competition in 1955 when it played in the finals of the second European Baseball Championship, finishing fifth out of five teams.[2]

The French team has qualified for the World Cup finals three times, the first time in 1994. In order to qualify for the finals a playoff game was played against South Africa. France lost seven games during the competition, and finished in 16th place out of 16 teams.[3] In 2001, as well as 2003, les Bleus (the nickname of the team) made their way into the World Cup finals. During the 2001 edition the French team finished in 15th place, tied for last with the Philippines. They also finished in 15th place in 2003, out of 15 teams. After 3 trips to the World Cup and 21 games, the French team has yet to record a win.

In the fall of 2012, France participated in their first World Baseball Classic Qualifier. The team played in the Jupiter, Florida pool alongside South Africa, Spain and Israel. France lost both its games to Spain and South Africa. Les Bleus are expected to participate in the following WBC, scheduled for fall 2016/spring 2017.

In September 2013, France named former MLB pitcher Éric Gagné new head coach. The team played a series of trial games in Florida in October 2013 and in Phoenix, Arizona in March 2014 in preparation for the 2014 European Championships. In early September 2014, France hosted the inaugural France International Baseball Tournament. France won the first exhibition game 8-7 vs. Japan before claiming game 1 6-3 over Belgium and game 2 10-5, again over Japan. "Les Bleus" claimed their first ever victory over the Netherlands with a 12-8 win on September 8, 2014 before falling 3-2 against the Dutch in the championship game the following night.

Every two years, France participates in the European Baseball Championship. France's best result came in 1999 when the team finished third. The French National team finished 6th in the 2014 European Championships, going 4-1 in Regensburg, GER before falling to Czech Republic, Holland and Spain in the Brno, CZ.

In July 2015 France sent many of its national team players to participate in the 2015 World University Summer Games in South Korea. Rouen manager Keino Perez filled in for Éric Gagné as the interim manager for this competition. France finished a disappointing 8th place, losing to China, Korea, Japan, Czech Republic and Mexico. Once back in Europe, the national team played a series of games in Antwerp, Belgium, July 23–24 against Sweden and the host country, Belgium. Longtime hurler Sam Meurant picked up the win in a 9-8 victory over Belgium. Youngster Lucas Serafin pitched 8 strong innings the following day in a 9-4 French win over Sweden. Fred Hanvi homered in both games for les bleus. With a 2-0 record, France won the Flanders invitational tournament with Belgium coming in second and Sweden third.

The French National Team competed in the 2016 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers held in March 2016 in Panama. In game one, Panama beat France behind long time MLB catcher Carlos Ruiz's two home runs infront of a crowd of over 11,000. In game two, Leonel Cespedes pitched France to a victory over European rival Spain at Rod Carew Stadium. The 5-3 victory marked the first win in four tries at the WBC Qualifiers for the French. In the semi-final game, France, led by offensively by first baseman Rene Leveret's home run in the fifth inning, found themselves tied with Panama in the fifth inning, but were not able to close out the game, falling 7-4, ending their hopes of qualifying for the 2017 WBC.

In April 2016 it was announced that Kieran Mattison would replace Eric Gagne as French National Team Manager. The American born Mattison is a former pitcher, having played as high as AAA. He is currently a coach in the Pirates organization and has past managerial experience in France where he was manager of Paris for two seasons. Gagne leaves behind a strong squad, hoping to for a medal in the 2016 European Championships which will be held in September 2016 in the Netherlands.

Past Results/French Players in Professional Baseball

A list of all French National team players who have played professional baseball

RENE LEVERET: Minnesota Twins (RK/A), Quebec Capitales, Amarillo Thunderheads (2006–2016)

JORIS BERT: Los Angeles Dodgers (RK) (2007–2008)

FRED HANVI: Minnesota Twins (RK), Gunma Pegasus, Kochi Fighting Dogs, Aigles Trois-Rivières (2008–2015)

CARLOS HEREAUD: Milwaukee Brewers (RK), Edinburg Roadrunners (2007–2012)

ANTHONY CROSS: Quebec Capitales (2010)

MAXIME LEFEVRE: Quebec Capitales (2013)

ALEX ROY: Seattle Mariners (RK) (2012–2014)

OWEN OZANICH: Adelaide Bite (2012–2013)

FELIX BROWN: Gunma Pegasus, Hawaii Stars, Aigles Trois-Rivières (2012–2014)

ANDY PAZ: Oakland Athletics (RK/A/AA) (2011–2016)

France U22 team, runner-up of the 2006 U22 European Championship.

Historical Results

World Baseball Classic record Qualification record
Year Host(s) Round Position W L RS RA Host W L RS RA
2006 Did not enter No qualifiers held
2009 Did not enter No qualifiers held
2013 Did not qualify United States 0 2 2 13
2017 Did not qualify Panama 1 2 11 19
Total 0/4 – – – – 1 4 13 32

Baseball World Cup

Intercontinental Cup

European Baseball Championship

  • 1954 : did not qualify
  • 1955 : 5th
  • 1956 : did not qualify
  • 1957 : did not qualify
  • 1958 : 6th
  • 1960 : did not qualify
  • 1962 : 6th
  • 1964 : 5th
  • 1965 : did not qualify
  • 1967 : did not qualify
  • 1969 : 7th
  • 1971 : 9th
  • 1973 : 6th
  • 1975 : 6th
  • 1977 : did not qualify
  • 1979 : did not qualify
  • 1981 : did not qualify
  • 1983 : 6th
  • 1985 : did not qualify
  • 1987 : 4th
  • 1989 : 5th
  • 1991 : 4th
  • 1993 : 4th
  • 1995 : 5th
  • 1997 : 5th
  • 1999 : 3rd 3rd
  • 2001 : 4th
  • 2003 : 7th
  • 2005 : 6th
  • 2007 : 5th
  • 2010 : 6th
  • 2012 : 8th
  • 2014 : 6th

References

  1. ↑ Peter C. Bjarkman, Diamonds around the globe, Wesport (CT), Greenwood Press, 2005, p.355, ISBN 0313322686
  2. ↑ honkbalsite.com – European Championship – 1955
  3. ↑ honkbalsite.com – World Cup – 1994

External links

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