What is on the team’s Christmas wish list

Santa pays a visit to the Sotkamo training session

As the nights grow longer and there is a distinct chill in the air (well in the northern hemisphere anyway) it is nearly that time of year again for people to exchange gifts. So the question most often asked is usually what people are hoping to get for Christmas. As everyone knows, Santa lives in Finland, therefore he will be paying a close eye on which Pesis teams are on the naughty or nice lists and checking what they want for Christmas.

So what do the teams want?

Sotkamon Jymy

Despite the difficulties in the locker room regarding their starting pitcher choices, Sotkamo makes the nice list this year. They delivered a championship win and played some incredible games as well, bringing joy to the Jymy nation. So what do Sotkamo want for Christmas? Perhaps less drama off the pitch? But above all it is probably more consistency in their outfield. To be honest the question really is “what do you get for the team that already has everything”, but things can be much tighter and bring more consistent results if Aapo Komulainen has an outfield that is watertight.

Kouvolan Pallonlyöjat 

KPL are most definitely on the nice list this year, having stood by one another for a superb run at the championship, even after their game manager was hit in the head from a fly ball! The sell out crowds and the hype behind KPL was testament to their great work this year. So what do they want from Santa? A championship in 2021 would be nice, but they know that next year will be very tough indeed, with Sotkamo, Joensuu and Vimpeli all still in the mix plus Kitee continue to grow and impress and Manse PP have stacked their lineup with all stars! 

Vimpelin Veto

Vimpeli had an uplifting season that really showcased its players growing into new roles, especially Perttu Ruuska, who showed great courage and passion in the role of Lukkari. After storming their way to claim bronze, there is no doubt that Vimpeli are on the nice list. So what do Vimpeli want for Christmas? Well, it’s probably more consistency at bat overall, but some insight and material on the role of Lukkari for Perttu will lift his game to yet another level.

Joensuun Maila

Joensuu had such a great regular season, they too are definitely on the nice list. But with a lot of key players having left the club for new contracts elsewhere, JoMa will need some big performances from the remaining players to keep in the hunt for another championship. Santa must have been especially impressed with JoMa this year, because they got an early Christmas present - the run producing machine Patrik Wahlsten, as well as one of the league’s top Lukkari, Ville Väliaho! Maybe the only thing left on their wish list is to see Kerubi packed again next year.

Kiteen Pallo-90

The anniversary year was a real celebration for Kitee and they deserve a special present indeed. There can be no doubt that Kitee are on the nice list after a phenomenal season that saw them finish in 5th place and go toe to toe with KPL in the postseason. Kitee’s wish list is really for more of the same. Of course they could ask for some star quality players, but frankly they have always preferred to grow their own! Maybe they would like some more of the same from their players... a medal would be nice too.

Hyvinkään Tahko

Hyvinkää had their ups and downs but in the end you just can’t help but enjoy watching them - it certainly can be dramatic whatever happens. Whilst Santa had to check his list twice for this one, Tahko are definitely on the nice list. In terms of Christmas wishes, there are probably a few that Hyvinkää have toyed with: better pitching? More consistent base running? But in the end, the obvious answer comes down to what they really need - a solid outfield. Pihkala can be a tough place to play as an outfielder and 2020 revealed some major cracks in Hyvinkää’s defence.

Seinäjoen JymyJussit 

Whilst Seinäjoki had a strong start to the season, they faded in August and slipped down to 7th place and almost out of the top 8 entirely. It was a very disappointing year for a team that continues to try and crack the top 4. Hopefully Santa will show a bit of Christmas spirit and bring JymyJussit some joy for 2021.

Pattijoen Urheilijat Raahe

PattU promised so much for 2020, especially after their Halli-SM win over Sotkamo that saw them reach the semifinals. Sadly their season faded fast and they only just made the top 8. I suspect that if PattU are on the nice list, there is a dose of sympathy that comes with it. PattU continues to have a great following amongst fans and their players really commit to the team, but maybe a lucky charm would help turn things around for the team that had little to no offence at points in the season through combinations of injuries, bad luck and poor timing.

Imatran Pallo-Veikot

IPV threw everything at 2020, with the dynamic combination of Tuomas Jussila and Sami Partanen flexing their bat. Sadly they just couldn’t break the top 8 and it is not clear at first to see why - the team had some of the leagues best players statistically, yet they were constantly off the pace and lost out to PattU, who weren’t that convincing either. So where was the problem? Well consistency is key and this seemed to be the problem. IPV now have parted ways with Jussila (who moves to Manse) and Partanen (who returns to Kitee) and all of a sudden the team is adrift. On their Christmas wish list is some solid consistent performances, but I’m not really sure that Santa can deliver on this.

Kempeleen Kiri 

Kempele make the nice list this year by being another one of the league’s most entertaining teams. The production of their games was fantastic, even if the way the team played wasn’t always at its best. There was a definite spark in KeKi this year and they made some significant strides forward at bat. This year, Kempele would like Santa to bring them some defensive play books. Offensively, the team has enough firepower to win, but tightening their outfield will make them real challengers for a playoff spot.

Koskenkorvan Urheilijat

Koskenkorva ended their season with little to celebrate about and said goodbye to their only solid player, Patrik Wahlsten. The defence was poor and at times difficult to watch, Santa has a mark against their names on the list, but he knows that if any team needs a gift it is KoU. With Wahlsten gone, it is hard to see where the runs will come from and there is a real risk they could drop out of Superpesis at the end of 2021 and miss the 100 year anniversary of the sport. Any gift will do, as long as it can help them avoid relegation. 

Manse PP, Tampere

If there is one team that doesn’t need a Christmas present it’s Manse. They have already signed some of the biggest names in the game for 2021 and there is little else they could really want. Surely the only thing on their wish list is a championship. With the lineup they have, they have to challenge for gold in 2021 or they may end up on the naughty list.

Kankaanpään Maila

KaMa struggled in 2020 and drifted slowly to the bottom of the table; being on the naughty list was probably the least of their worries. It is the season of good will after all, so Santa will still be delivering a gift to Kankaanpää. But what would they like? Much like several other teams, KaMa would welcome any gift, so long as it will help them avoid relegation. Maybe they would like some more offensive power at bat.

Siilinjärven Pesis

SiiPe made the nice list this year by showing determination on the pitch in the face of sometimes impossible odds. Despite a player registration error frustrating their season, SiiPe gave a lot of entertainment to fans this year. So what is on their wish list? SiiPe need to stay relevant and build on their success, having completed 2 Superpesis seasons. They really would like some young players to have a breakout year and be the next Simo Vainikainen.

Photograph 

Cover - (c) Sotkamon Jymy 2020 (taken from video)