Following the conclusion of the Open de Rouen, manager Sylvain Virey released a list of 20 players who will form the French National Team during the upcoming European Championship in Stuttgart, Heidenheim and Neuenburg. Not much surprises. As expected pro players Anthony Cros and Frederic Hanvi are not aboard. Also not making the trip to Germany is the best pitcher of the 2007 Euros Nicolas Dubaut.
From the Saint Martin squad at the tournament in Rouen, only Jean Samer (C/3B) made the cut. Additionally they are hoping for good performances from college players Omar Williams (3B/C), Felix Brown (SS) and Robin Allemand (3B). The other 16 players are playing in Europe, 13 of them for Rouen, Savigny, Montpellier and Senart in the French Elite League, including prospects Maxime Lefevre and Joris Navarro.
Otherwise Rouen’s top offensive players former LA Dodgers Joris Bert, Kenji Hagiwara, Boris Marche, David Gauthier and Luc Piquet also are supposed to be the main run producers for the National Team. Outfielders Gaspard Fessy from the Spanish champion CB Sant Boi and Jerome Rousseau of the German club HSV Stealers made the team as well. The pitching rests on the arms of Samuel Meurant, Pierrick Lemestre, Anthony Piquet and Navarro.
Final Roster France:
Pitchers: Samuel Meurant (Senart), Pierrick Lemestre (Savigny), Arold Castillo (Pioners), Anthony Piquet (Rouen), Joris Navarro (Montpellier), Gregory Cros (Montpellier)
Catchers: Boris Marche (Rouen), David Gauthier (Rouen), Jean Samer (Saint Martin)
Infielders: Luc Piquet (Rouen), Romain Martinez-Scott (Savigny), Maxime Lefevre (Rouen), Omar Williams (USA), Felix Brown (USA), Robin Allemand (USA)
Outfielders: Gaspard Fessy (Sant Boi), Kenji Hagiwara (Rouen), Joris Bert (Rouen), Jerome Rousseau (Hamburg), Florian Peyrichou (Savigny)
Staff: Sylvain Virey (manager), Fabien Proust, John Haar (assistant coaches), Jeff Zeilstra (pitching coach), Bernard Cauchois (doctor), Alexandre Huillery, Pierre Gabori (trainers), Jean-Christophe Tine (delegation leader), Christophe Elise (photographer)