Par Nicolas Claich
Published on 28 Sep 23 at 7:16 See my news Follow Sport in Caen Camille Foucher, player from Caen (Calvados), participated in the Women’s Baseball World Cup with the French team, in Japan. ©WBSC
In the land of the rising sun, a new era has opened for French baseball. For the first time, the French women’s team participated in the specialty World Cup, from September 13 to 17, 2023. “We should have participated in 2020, in Mexico, but the competition was canceled due to the health crisis,” notes Camille Foucher.
Double European champion
At 31, the pitcher for the Phénix de Caen team (Calvados) is among the pioneers of the discipline in France. Until 2019, only a national softball team existed.
It’s the same sport but the field is smaller, the ball is bigger and the throws are underhanded. As a pitcher, I prefer baseball because you throw farther, 18 yards from the batter.
Camille Foucher, pitcher for the Phénix de Caen and the French team
After a first selection, Camille Foucher played in the first women’s European championship, which took place in Rouen (Seine-Maritime). Winner of the Netherlands and the Czech Republic, France won this first international trophy.
“In Japan, the players are semi-professional”
Les Bleues retained their title in 2022, in Montpellier (Hérault), against the same teams accompanied by Great Britain, and thus won their ticket to Japan. “There, baseball is the number 1 sport,” enthuses the native of Cherbourg, who arrived in Caen in 2014 for her studies. There are beautiful structures, starting at school. The players are semi-professional, they are hired in companies that allow them to train.” Camille, like her French teammates, had to take a week off to be able to make the trip to the Far East.
In baseball, unlike softball, the pitcher performs her gesture over the shoulder. ©WBSC
Objective, Euro 2025
Faced with Puerto Rico, Cuba, Taiwan and Venezuela, nations where baseball is much more developed than in Europe, the French logically suffered from the comparison: five defeats in five matches.
We did the best we could, but it was a great experience that will enrich us. In a few days, we learned a lot about our strengths and weaknesses.
Camille Foucher, pitcher for the Phénix de Caen and the French team
The French women’s baseball team participated for the first time in the specialty World Cup, from September 13 to 17, 2023, in Japan. ©FFBS
The progress shown throughout the matches augurs a brighter future for the French women’s baseball team. “In 2024, we have no international competition but I hope that we will still win the European Championship in 2025, in order to participate in the next World Cup,” projects the thrower who started this sport at 7 years, with the Cherbourg Seagulls, following in the footsteps of his sisters and brothers-in-law.
The indoor season is coming soon
In the meantime, Camille has resumed training with the Phénix de Caen, at the Caen Sud stadium. After a few friendly matches, the Caennais will join the room, to practice…softball this winter. “The baseball season doesn’t resume until spring,” emphasizes the logistician at the Décathlon warehouse in Mondeville. It will then be time to dream of distant horizons.
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2023-09-28 05:42:12
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