The rupture of the left Achilles tendon in 2021, then that of the right in 2023, turned Forrest Crawford’s life upside down. After a white season to heal and recover, he headed Down Under to South Australia for three months, until last March. For the discovery of a new…
The rupture of the left Achilles tendon in 2021, then that of the right in 2023, turned Forrest Crawford’s life upside down. After a white season to heal and recover, he headed Down Under to South Australia for three months, until last March. For the discovery of a new continent, but above all to rediscover competition and optimal rehabilitation, warmed by the beautiful sun of the Antipodes. “I was looking for a Southern Hemisphere League that plays when the French championship is at a standstill in order to be ready for the 2024 season with the Boucaniers. That was my goal. Australia was an opportunity. I played for Gawler Rangers in the Adelaide area. »
The sweetness of life, the discovery of wide open spaces, natural parks, desert regions… the magic happens, the charm acts on the native of Seattle, in the United States. “We went hiking, saw wildlife, saw beautiful beaches, admired the mountains that meet the sea. South Australia is beautiful, it was a great experience. »
The D1 in progress
But all this did not make him forget the reasons for his golden exile. “I was focused on my rehabilitation work to regain physical strength, rhythm, endurance, mobility and my game. This time it was a little more difficult because the injury was in my right leg, my strong side. I felt more tired, it took me longer to recover. »
Back “home”, Forrest Crawford, 34 years old, French naturalization file in progress, notes that the level of Division 1 increases each year in quality and requirements. “I have been in La Rochelle since 2015. From now on, D1 is considered a baseball spot making great progress. I am impressed by the quality of the foreign players arriving. They are sometimes trained in listed American franchises and are required to move around to build their careers. »
Rouen revanchist
This year, with a championship bringing together the eight best clubs, you have to quickly be in the game. The second day reserves the first shock, Sunday April 14 (11 and 2 p.m. at the Port-Neuf field) between the Boucaniers and the Rouen Huskies, who also won twice during the “opening day. » The Rochelais against Montigny (2-1, 9-3) and the Normans against Sénart (11-7, 11-1). After seven consecutive French championship titles, the Huskies experienced a slump in 2023. They even had to go through the play-downs.
This season therefore takes on the air of revenge for a club which has 17 national crowns. Quentin Becquey is the new manager. He concocted an ambitious recruitment effort. Originally from Osaka, Chikara Igami, a Japanese pitcher, arrives from Quebec after having notably passed through the Dutch League, one of the best in Europe with Italy, but also Australia, Austria and Guatemala . It should be one of the attractions of the year. Three other recruits were registered: the Americans Jake DeFries and Jalen Smith, and the Canadian Mike Blanke.
2024-04-11 13:43:59
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