The Champions
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| The Men’s Superpesis Champions 2019 - Joensuun Maila Photograph from Joensuu Facebook (c) Joensuun Maila 2019 |
As the dust settles one team remains as champions of the men’s Superpesis 2019 - Joensuun Maila. Having secured 4th in the table by some margin during the regular season, Joensuu swept Hyvinkään Tahko and Vimpelin Veto to reach this years final against Sotkamon Jymy. The final was tight game to game, with 2 of the games going to supervuoro and 1 game with a tied jakso, but ultimately Joensuun Maila were too much for Sotkamo and took the series 3-1. But who are some of the key people behind the team? What does it mean to be a member of the Joensuun Maila championship winning side?
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| The magnificent Kerubi Stadion Photograph from Joensuu Facebook (c) Joensuun Maila 2019 |
Joensuun Maila was founded in 1958, originally named Karjalan Maila, in the city of Joensuu in North Karelia in the East of Finland. Joensuu has a decent size population of 76,543 as of 31st January 2019 and a vibrant student demographic. Joensuu is host to many different sports, which are played at the national level, with pesäpallo rapidly becoming a prominent figure. Joensuu play their home games at Kerubi Stadion, which opened in May 2018 and has clearly brought them good luck. Kerubi Stadion has a capacity of 3700 and has a canopy that shelters the grandstand from the elements.
Whilst Joensuu have been around for a while, it is only fairly recently that they have been successful, getting their first bronze medal in 2013 and starting an unbroken run to date. Joensuu have 5 consecutive bronze medals from 2013 to 2017 and have won the championship in 2018 and now 2019 as well. The team has been phenomenally successful in the recent era and one wonders just how far they can go!
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| Photograph from Joensuu Facebook (c) Joensuun Maila 2019 |
If there is one name or face that exemplifies this team it is Juha Puhtimäki. His constant fist pumps and cheers with every out shows his determination to reach the top and gives a great deal of encouragement to his teammates, yet his performance at bat is just as effective. Puhtimäki played in all 10 of the team’s games in the postseason, with 3 kunniajuoksu, 12 runs batted in, 13 runs and 68.88% overall score at moving the point runner. Puhtimäki came up big when the team needed him too and he was exceptional whatever situation he found itself in. During the regular season, Puhtimäki had 4 kunniajuoksu, 35 runs batted in, 41 runs over 30 games, with 64.25% overall score at moving the point runner. Puhtimäki has been on the roster at a number of clubs during his career, including Hyvinkään Tahko and Koskenkorvan Urheilijat (his breeder club). At the age of 34, Puhtimäki is one of the team’s older players; however he has such great energy on the field he is able to often outshine many of the younger players. Away from Pesäpallo, Puhtimäki has a love of horses and has written a guest blog for MT Ravinetti (in Finnish). In the article he explains that some people are critical of his passion for horses and racing, but given the stellar performance he has given this year, its probably because they can’t criticise his playing skills!
The link to the article is https://www.ravinetti.fi/blogi-arkisto/vierasblogi-vahan-isomman-ponimiehen-tarina/
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| Photograph from Joensuu Facebook (c) Joensuun Maila 2019 |
Juha Niemi is a bear of a man and is ruthless at the plate. He is the Joker usually tasked with bringing runners home from 3rd base and has delivered significantly with 2 kunniajuoksu and 79 runs batted in during the regular season. During the postseason Niemi continued to impress, with 22 runs batted in over 10 games. Niemi has played for Seinäjoki (his breeder club), Nurmo Jymy and for Koskenkorvan Urheilijat before joining Joensuu. Niemi is a fitter for plumbing equipment by trade when he isn’t picking holes in the fielding team’s defence. Whilst Niemi approaches each plate appearance with little to no emotion shown, his focus pays dividend and he has played a significant role in Joensuu’s championship.
Aleksi Rautiainen (Joker - Jokeripelaaja)
Along with Juha Niemi, Aleksi Rautiainen were an unstoppable team like demolished opposing defences. Rautiainen’s percentage at moving the point runner was only 46.33% during the regular season, but with that he batted in 68 runs with 2 kunniajuoksu. During the postseason his numbers were even better, with 29 runs batted in and 1 kunniajuoksu over 10 games and a percentage of 55.42% at moving the point runner. Aleksi’s first club was Kiteen Pallo -90, where he won his first championship in 2005; however his greatest performances have been with his current club Joensuu.
Tuomas Jussila (Right Shortstop - 2 Polttaja)
At number 2 in the lineup the primary objective is simple - move the point runner to 2nd base, yet it is something that takes skill, precision and the ability to find the holes in the defence to make it happen. Jussila has had a phenomenal season with a percentage of 75.10% at moving the point runner over 28 games. During the postseason his numbers were still extraordinary reaching home 21 times over 10 games and successfully moving the point runner 65.51% of the time. Jussila started his career in 2007 with Pattijoen Urheilijat with a season in Oulun (2010) before joining Joensuun Maila in 2013. It is no coincidence that his appearance at Joensuu led to the teams first championship medal (bronze) and he has been a solid performer since then, helping the team to reach the very top of the game.
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