On Saturday January 24 and Sunday January 25, 2026, the Cubs Baseball club opens the competition season with two tournaments, organized at the Escale de Saint-Jean-sur-Veyle.
For this weekend, the Cubs Academy will be joined by two external clubs, invited for the occasion: the Dragons de Nord Isère and the Bats de Colombier-Saugnieux. Together, the three clubs will compete for victory over two days of the tournament.
Saturday January 24 will be reserved for young baseball players, the 12U (from the English “twelve and under”, “twelve years and under”. The category includes 12 years old, 11 years old and 10 years old of the current year). Around 40 children are expected. Sunday will be reserved for adult Mixed Leisure Softball practice, also for around forty participants.
What are the differences between baseball and softball?
In baseball as in softball, the two teams compete by playing alternately on defense and offense. The object of the game is, for the striker of the offensive team (also called batsman), to touch the ball with his bat and send it as far as possible. If he touches the ball, the batter becomes a runner and must reach the first of 3 “bases” (these markers placed on the field, marked by white squares). When a runner has managed to pass through the three bases to circle the field and return to his starting point, his team scores.
Although, in broad terms, the two sports are quite similar, there are slight differences between the two disciplines. Thus, in baseball, approximately 27 meters separate the bases, compared to 18 meters in softball. The ball used in softball is a little larger and the bat shorter than in baseball. Finally, the major difference is how the ball is thrown: in baseball, the ball is thrown overhand, while in softball, it is thrown underhand.
Baseball and softball games are played in two games of 9 innings each. Traditionally, the receiving team plays defense first.
Cubs tournaments are open to the public, do not hesitate to come and attend to discover this sport which is so popular across the Atlantic ! There will also be a refreshment bar and a snack bar on site for more conviviality. Let’s wish the Cubs of Cruzilles-lès-Mépillat good luck!
