On Friday, will show the men’s Superpesis match between KPL and Joma. The live broadcast of the match starts on TV2, Areena and the app at 6 p.m.
In August 2019, Kouvola Ballonlöjien Elias Pitkänen made history. He became the youngest ever player to play in the men’s Super Pes. In the same game, the then middle schooler hit a home run, and brought in a run. Youngest ever.
At that time, Elias Pitkänen came to the attention of a large audience. And he’s been talked about ever since.
The exceptional talent of Kouvola’s Ballonlöjien nursery has always been known in sports circles, and last season was supposed to be the final breakthrough season at the adult level. But a hand injury that required surgery ended the season before it could even begin.
According to Pitkänen, his situation now looks good.
– You notice all the time that you are getting better. The worst phase was probably when you realized that there was no other option but to cut. I still remember when I walked into the operating room, and at that point I was able to internalize that this had to be done.
– After the surgery, the first weeks were difficult for myself and the family, when I had to help with everything. It was a big setback for himself, Pitkänen opens up about his injury.
A strong desire to show
19-year-old Pitkänen speaks with visible enthusiasm when the interview is done on the eve of the new season. In training, he takes on extra training on top of team training.
In addition to playing in the locker room, Pitkänen wants to take a big role in the inside game, for which the young player undoubtedly has enough talent.
Last season’s setback left a big desire to show this season.
– It’s tough. You can’t deny that. The passion is strong, and it will certainly show. I feel that I was able to turn my eyes to the future very quickly, and it was also important to me that the sights were always on this summer, Pitkänen sums up the past.
A pitching hand injury requiring surgery is always challenging for a baseball player. But especially in the case of boots, it is highlighted. And even in the most difficult times, Pitkänen couldn’t avoid the thought that what if the games were here.
– Of course we had to think about it. In the beginning, when I was allowed to start throwing, it was really difficult. It’s also partly a matter of courage. Yes, in that winter, I had to wonder if there would be anything left of this.
– When the first game came at the beginning of March, it was a relief even for myself when I was able to play that game.
Almost 50 years since the last championship
In Kouvola, the previous championship was from 1976. There have been several medals over the years. This season, there are possibilities for anything, but the success of the KPL requires Pitkänen to be completely successful at the plate.
Pitkänen does not say that he takes pressure from the setting.
– I have always been aware that the place of the locker is easily visible in the final result. If you play well, chances are that winning is pretty close in the game. If you play really badly, you lose. There’s no pressure on it, and you shouldn’t take it.
– It’s pretty great that the game is in your own hands. That’s why the place of the locker has always fascinated me, Pitkänen says.
There are question marks about the youngster’s playing locker. How the hand lasts is a matter of its own. On the tactical side, eyes and doubts are on Pitkänen’s passing.
– Passing has progressed comprehensively during the winter, when there has been an opportunity to focus on it now. It has been deliberately focused on, so that it would take a big step forward.
Let’s go back to the beginning and those records. When Pitkänen made history, he was exactly 14 years, eight months and 24 days old.
Pitkänen, who turns 20 this year, has managed to be involved for a long time despite his young age.
– You don’t necessarily always realize how long this has been going on.
– It feels like this is just getting started.