Suomi Tour 2021: Game review - Hamina v Kankaanpää 20.08.2021

The game officials meet before the game at the legendary Vallikenttä in Hamina

Haminan Palloilijat v Kankaanpään Maila

1-0 (3-1, 5-5)

My final game review of my Suomi Tour was perhaps the most unexpected. I had not planned to see any games on 20th, as I didn’t think I would have time; however I became available and had the opportunity to visit the iconic stadium at Hamina to watch the game against Kankaanpään Maila. This game comes as the season is drawing to a close and both teams are in need of points. Hamina ideally seek to get enough points to take home field advantage in the elimination series against (almost inevitably) SiiPe. For Kankaanpää, the aim is to avoid the relegation battle completely.



Hamina have had a tough start to the season, with injuries playing a key part in the teams poor form. When the team had to self-isolate due to a positive covid result, there was a chance to reset. A change of game manager too has given Hamina a much needed boost. In the games leading up to self-isolation their points per game average was 0.4; since returning to games they have taken 4 points in the last 5 games (average 0.8), including 2 games against league leaders, Manse.


Kankaanpää have had a similarly rough season. The schedule to start the season was tough for KaMa and the new lineup this season still lacked any real sparkle. By late July KaMa had announced that veteran Jouni Itävälo would come out of retirement and back into the lineup once more. Since his return KaMa started to get results; however they had lost their last 3 games going into this game and slid into 13th place in the table.


1st Jakso

Hamina won the hutunkeitto and decided to bat first, but several unforced and easy outs soon handed Kankaanpää the chance to strike first. In the bottom of the 1st inning, KaMa came up short at home plate, but pitcher Matias Hangasmaa rushed a throw to 3rd base and sent it wide of the mark. The result was Teemu Utunen being able to reach home and score. Despite this error, Hamina’s defence looked active and worked well as a team to cover the field.



At bat, Hamina still seemed to struggle and despite getting runners to 3rd base, Hamina couldn’t capitalise and the score remained 0-1. The teams traded hits across the next few innings, but neither seemed to break through until the 4th inning. In the top of the 4th, leadoff hitter Teemu Rouhiainen hit a powerful line drive to right field that found the perfect gap off into the gravel beyond right field. Rouhiainen rounded the bases for a home run and the game was tied. Juha Toikka’s hit to right field was all that Rouhiainen needed to make it home and give Hamina the lead. Hamina benefited from some clumsy fielding in Left field, that gave them another chance to score. That chance became reality when Kimmo Lukkari’s hit to the left shortstop was misfielded and Henri Heikkilä scored.


Whilst Kankaanpää tried to come back into the game, Hamina’s defence was just able to respond and the score remained 3-1.



2nd Jakso

Kankaanpää started the second jakso hoping to generate some offence, but it was an error between two fielders going for the ball that gave them their first run as Lauri Vierimaa scored. As the sun started to set it started to cause problems for KaMa’s 3rd baseman, who continuously had to shield his eyes. Hamina however couldn’t exploit this and Sasu Toikka continued to have difficulties finding space and hitting the ball in-field.



In the 2nd inning, pitcher Matias Hangasmaa defused a dangerous situation by catching a short hit by Miikka Riikonen for an out at home and getting the out at 1st base to end the inning. In the bottom of the inning, Hamina managed to place the ball into left field and exploit the difficulties the sun was causing. Kimmo Lukkari’s hit towards centre field allowed Henri Heikkilä to score, whilst the wild throw meant Sasu Toikka to reach 3rd base and keep the rally going. Juha Leskinen’s hit to the midfield line seemed to slip past 2 fielders and saw Sasu reach home to make it 2-1.


Matias Hangasmaa continued to have an eventful day at the plate walking a runner to 2nd base after 2 pitches were called as väärä (bad pitches) due to not being high enough. Despite Hangasmaa’s protests, the pitching plate umpire didn't reverse the call. Miikka Riikonen hit the ball towards the right shortstop, who failed to collect the ball cleanly and Jouni Itävalo scored. Jouni Mäki gave the visitors the lead with a hit to deep left field that couldn't fail to bring Kari Kellokoski home.


In the bottom of the 3rd inning Hamina profited from more errors by KaMa to regain the lead. The rally started with a missed opportunity to claim an out on a 3rd strike as Nino Muuruvirta made it to first base before the pitcher could gain control of the ball. A drive straight down the middle of the field by Juha Toikka levelled the score, but a mishandle by the fielder meant that Hamina managed to advance their runners an extra base and put the pressure on Kankaanpää. A routine high hit from Ville Kotro was missed by the left outfielder and Nino Muuruvirta grabbed a chance to score. Kimmo Lukkari added to Hamina’s lead with a blast towards 1st base which beat the fielder and gave Juha Toikka the run.


With Hamina ahead in the jakso 5-3, hopes were high for the home team. But Kankaanpää refused to be beat and Henri Itävalo hit the ball deep to left field in to space so Perttu Oli could score. Miikka Riikonen tied the game with a rolling hit to left field that gave Hamina no chance to stop Jouni Itävalo from reaching home. But the comeback stumbled and Kankaanpää was unable to regain the lead as a misplaced high hit by Riikonen on his 3rd strike landed in foul territory for the final out.


Despite having already won the game, Hamina desperately needed the full 3 points and set about to ty and score 1 more run. But the team seemed to give up outs too easily yet again and the inning was over. In spite of some great plays and having won the game, there was a sense of regret and missed opportunities amongst the home fans.


Analysis

Both sides struggled to find a good rhythm at the plate and gave away outs too easily. What was impressive however was how well Hamina’s defense functions. The fielders are constantly in motion to backup their team-mates and protect against misfields and overthrows. Sadly some still entered the game and KaMa scored their only run in the first jakso from a rushed throw to 3rd base. Having seen a number of teams live this summer, including Sotkamo and Manse, I would say that Hamina’s defence has the greatest team spirit and work ethic; this is what kept KaMa out of the game and could be the key to staying up in Superpesis.




Kankaanpää’s offence was fairly ineffective and only truly gained an advantage when Hamina’s fielding slipped. The obvious exception was the excellent performance from Jouni Itävalo, who went 7/7 in the game and had 2 runs. Each time Jouni came to the plate there was a real sense that he could find the perfect space to place the ball and advance the runners.


If Hamina end up playing in the elimination series, they stand a good chance of beating SiiPe and whoever rises from Ykköspesis, but they will have to dig deep if they want to stay in Superpesis. KaMa seem destined to stay in 13th and will therefore end up playing the 2nd place team from Ykköspesis. 


My visit to Hamina was incredible. Earlier in the year when I was talking to my podcast co-host about the team he stated that Hamina is one of his favourite places to visit - its easy to see why. The atmosphere in the stadium is amazing and a majority of the seating is equipped with proper seats, meaning that it is a great deal more comfortable than some arenas. The bastion is an incredible backdrop for the stadium and adds to the sense of history behind the club. 

                                                               

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