Rouen vs. Beaucaire

I apologize for the long delay between posts, I've been busy with helping the little kids etc and not much time for tourism. We got swept this weekend by Rouen, the top team in the league. They have a huge budget and bring in 4-5 foreign players each year. This year their top pick is a first baseman who played at Hoffstra and then in the Seattle Mariners farm system. My start went well and while I did not have my best stuff, my defense behind me was solid and we crossed a lot of runners. I completed 5 innings, leaving with the score tied at 8-8. Unfortunately we were not able to give Rouen their first loss. The second game was much less close but we still made strides this weekend. Things are definitely improving. After my game on saturday evening, the team had a barbecue. It was raining at my place when I got home and I found a big toad, so the pics today are of the flowers around my house and my toad.

Montpellier vs. Beaucaire

Yesterday's games went much better than the ones against Savigny. We lost the first 3-2. I went 8 complete innings giving up only 1 or 2 earned runs. I pitched against Butch, another american who teaches african history studies at University of Michigan. He gave up 1 earned however it was just his runner who crossed, another pitcher gave up the hit. Overall the game was good but the french umpires just do not want to give me anything inside. The attitude and energy was greatly improved and fortunately it carried over to the next game. Game 2 was started by Louis, a Cuban who has become naturalized in France. He went 7 complete and was taken out in the 8th after hitting a rough spot. We were tied 3-3 through the 7th when the wheels fell off. I do not know the final score but it wasn't as pretty as the first. Overall despite the losses I would call the day a success and we look forward to next weekends games against Rouen, the top team in the league and still undefeated. Some picture of Gare du Lyon in Paris.

Kids/Parents Game

Saturday morning was a kids and parents game for the U15 and U12 teams. It was a lot of fun and was a good chance for the parents to learn about the game. Its very different here, whereas in the US a father and son will go play catch, here they kick the soccer ball or toss a rugby ball. Parents have literally almost no idea of whats going on in their child's baseball game, but hopefully now they have some greater understanding. Here are some pics from the day!

Working with the kids

This week has almost entirely been dedicated to practicing with the U12 and U15 teams. Besides my teams practice on tuesday night, I have just been coaching with Andre, another teammate and a few other guests. Matt Alston, a pro who played with the cards and then went to Canada after an injury has also been around. He is one of the progenitors of baseball in Beaucaire and it has been a great experience for me meeting someone who is so schooled in baseball and from such a different background in ball than me. Been pretty busy so not a lot of time to go out and tour or take pics so here's just another couple I had taken earlier.

First game and part of the second...

Well, first game didnt go as well as it could have. Savginy is one of the top 2 hitting teams in the league and it shows. By my count I have up 2 earned runs in 5 innings although the websites say different. Unfortunate but I'm not here just for numbers. Got to know the team a lot better and had some fun. While there may be something to desire with the defense, it seems like the talent is there, it just needs more intensive practices than twice a week. However, that is impossible for the most part because these guys have full-time jobs. So for now, I'm just gonna go and do what I can, maybe get some hitting in, maybe play some field. Who knows? The second game was canceled in the 3rd due to a pole holding up the backstop falling. There had been very high winds all day and it just kind of broke at the base I guess. That will be made up at a later date I think. Overall, the loss was disappointing but it was a good first experience with French baseball and I made some new friends. Some pics of Avignon and the dogs!

Safe travels, new friends and new cities

I have made it to Beaucaire, France without any problems. While flights and train rides got a little long, in the end I made and had my first meal with the president, coach and captains of the team. I live in the countryside on a farm that grows apples from seeds to saplings, then sells the saplings to larger orchards. The owner of the house and his family are all very nice people and fortunately speak a little english. I have begun my workouts with the 4 teams in Beaucaire (12 and under, 15 and under, JV and my team). Its a lot of fun bringing my knowledge of the game to these people who are perhaps playing the sport for the first time at age 35. Tonight is my first practice with my Division 1 team and I am very excited to see how we do. Sunday is our first game against Savigny in south Paris. Should be a good game.

The countdown has really begun now and I am getting packed and ready to go. While I am over there I will be staying in a studio apartment. The picture is a view of my backyard. I'm getting pretty excited about this. More photos to come!

My name is Alex Ingram and I recently was offered a chance to play with Les Chevaliers de Beaucaire. This team is part of professional French baseball league where I will also be competing against one my best friends, James Murrey who plays for Paris-UC. I am leaving the states on April 9, 2012 and hopefully will be returning in August after playoffs. If we do not make the playoffs, my return may be sooner. I will be pitching for this team mostly, but hopefully I will also get a chance to swing the bat, something I have not done competitively in over 4 years. Just wanted to get this first post out and I will be updating this as often as possible with news of games, standings and just some general French life stuff. Pics to come and links to information will also be posted. Thanks for following!