After the La Guerche Hawks announced on Sunday that they will not play in the 2010 French Elite League due to player shortage, another team made a similar decision. The Marlins de Compiègne, which were technically eligible for promotion into the elite league having won the championship in Nationale 1 last year, also will start rebuilding at the bottom.
To play in the elite league wasn’t possible due to an inadequate financial budget. They later also decided not to return to Nationale 1 since several key players are leaving the team, including five of seven pitchers and two catchers. Head coach Luis Gomez has decided to leave Compiègne too.
It is expected that Paris UC will replace the Marlins in the 2010 French Elite League, though an official announcement by the federation hasn’t been made yet. The record champion got relegated after the 2008 season.