2021 French Division 1 presented

Yesterday, the FFBS (Federation Française de Baseball et Softball) presented the new alignment of the highest French baseball league, the Division 1.

The league of eleven teams will be split in two divisions, just like 2019 (last year, no competion was played due to corona). What catches the eye immediately is the alignment of both divisions. Both divisions are a mixture of teams form the Northern part and from the Southern part of France. This does not really make sense in yours truly opinion.
Wouldn’t it make more sense to have a Northern division and a Southern division?

The two divisions look like this:

Group A

• Montigny-le-Bretonneux Cougars
• PUC Paris
• Rouen Baseball 76
• Savigny-sur-Orge Lions
• Toulouse stadium

Group B

• Clermont-Ferrand Arvernes
• La Rochelle Boucaniers
• MUC Barracudas
• Metz Cometz
• Nice Cavigal
• Sénart Templiers

If the Division 1 would be split up by region both groups would look like this:

North:

Rouen Baseball 76
Templiers de Sénart
Metz Cometz
PUC Paris
Montigny-le-Bretonneux
Savigny-sur-Orge

South:

Nice Cavigal
Clermont-Ferrand Arvernes
MUC Barracudas (Montpellier)
Stade Toulousain
La Rochelle Boucaniers

Besides the Division 1 competition, the annual French Baseball Challenge, will be played with the best eight clubs of 2019. The tournament will be played from May 21 to 24, 2021 in La Rochelle and Pineuilh. The winner qualifies for the CEB cup.

Key dates:

• Opening Day: April 24/25
• Regular season: April 24 to July 18
• Playoff / Playdown: August 1 to 22
• French Baseball Series: August 14, 15, 21 and 22
  
  The schedule for the opening weekend is as follows:

Here is the complete schedule of the Division 1.