Baseball Finnish-- Who can understand it?-- non- finns

[mike_kati]

My GF took me to see Finnish Baseball

I still cant understand this game

I am not a Finn

and think I may never know what is going on

[sammy]

You could try these sites for help:

http://www.pesis.fi/nuorisopesis/intern ... _the_game/

Rules of "pesis"
http://www.pesis.fi/nuorisopesis/intern ... nal_rules/

I can more or less understand the rules (I think) but I never really got to like the game. One reason was that I'm a southpaw - the other reason is that I was never really any good in any sport! So don't worry not even nearly all of us natives even like the game...

[Hank W.]

http://www.nic.funet.fi/index/sports/pe ... ion.ver102

[enk]

I used to play pesäpallo with my coworkers, basically all you need to know
is run to the left and the ball must hit the field before it goes out. Beyond
that, I just listen to what they're screaming at me

-enk

[mCowboy]

Pesäpallo is quite simple game compared to baseball. Then again, I think it's really dumb what Tahko Pihkala did, when he brought baseball to Finland and changed all the rules. I guess he underestimated the Finns or something.

It's not like some other guy came to Finland and said, "hey, here's a game caller soccer, but we gonna change the rules a bit: we're going to play on a triangular field and you can only kick the ball with your heel. Other than that, it's very much like soccer..." Don't get it.

Baseball is much more intricate game with subtle nuances, ok it has less action, but it's much more skill due to different pitching. And it's very zen-like sport. nothing happens for half an hour and then *ding* there's a hit... and suddenly it's all quiet again... Very relaxing

[sammy]

But did you know that pesäpallo did not achieve its popularity because of the fulfilment of some 'intricate needs' - what you're doing in the field is actually practicing hand-grenade throws and short runs, like advancing under fire... I'm not sure if it was specifically designed to train these skills, but all the same the inventor of the game, Mr "Tahko" Pihkala, was deeply dipped in the suojeluskunta (sorry I don't know what that is in English... home guard?) ethos, and IIRC he was the head of their physical education board... or something like that. Hank might know the historical context better

[stewy]

only been to one national league game, but i've seen some on tv. i understand the basics of the game, but there's obviously rules i don't know yet. i find the game far more interesting than normal baseball at least. requires far more strategy and tactics. i reckon if you were looking for a game halfway between cricket and baseball, pesäpallo would be the closest and since i love cricket, pesäpallo is a game i enjoy.

[Hank W.]

You have to remember that in 1920 you have one village pitch or a meadow you use for markets and whatnot. The village pitch is a gravel field or a lawn.... So some dickhead comes along explaining you need to have a hill in the middle? Dead game from the start. Finnish "pesäpallo" can be played in any school gravel pitch you can play soccer in, and which gets frozen for hockey and "jääpallo" for the winter. No special field, just someone makes the lines and thats it, haul a plywood plate: hey bingo a game is ready.

They say the national guards adopted the game rather than it was designed for them***, they were also big with the shooting and cross-country skiing sport that smells of "military" long way.

Though one must remember Tahko Pihkala was the War Ministry and Natinal Guard HQ secretary for sports affairs in the 1920's

- Opettajat! Kun te alatte käydä toivottomiksi poikien kanssa, joilta ei näytä järki juoksevan eikä kiusanteon halu loppuvan, viekää heidät urheilemaan! Silloin te näette, että järki kehittyy pallomailaa hallitessa.

[llewellyn]

Baseball is where overweight millionaires spend a few exhausting (for the viewers not the players) hours not hitting the ball. Everything is about the pitcher and nothing much ever happens on the field. Cricket is so much more interesting if you want a pitch centred game. Pesäpallo is simply the improved version of baseball, quicker, more tactical with many more simultaneously moving parts which means that you can't be so fat and immobile as in baseball. So there!

[rev. green]

Baseball is much more intricate game with subtle nuances

Thanks for the laugh

[butterflybear]

Are there teams that you can join in Helsinki for girls (women)??
Steph

[Juha H.]

I once watched the Cleveland Indians play, but found little of interest. Much more was happening in the terraces. The fireworks at the end of the match were also good.

There's much more action in the Finnish version.

[MagicJ]

Baseball, 'Gridiron', Basketball They're not sports, they're statistics with advertising. No wonder they have cheerleaders*




*Just a shame they all have that 'All American Girl' look i.e. plain with loads of make up (Sorry Antarctica)