Konsta Kurikka has signed a professional agreement with the US new Jersey Jackals. Kurikka, 24, was announced at a press conference on Wednesday at the Finnish Baseball and Softball Association (SBSL).
Baseball club New Jersey Jackals plays in the North American League in Frontier League. The league produces players in the largest series of the Major League Baseball (MLB).
– This is by far the biggest step in my career so far. In addition to moving to America, the great thing is that matches are played in a professional star, Kurikka says of the press conference.
Kurikka, who plays as a feeder, explains that 96 matches, or six games a week, will be played in Frontier League during May-September.
– Now it’s a long season ahead, so you have to get your own endurance to the level that I can do a good level every week until the end of the season.
Frontier League is one of eight independent professional leagues in North America. 18 teams play in the series. The league works with Major League Baseball (MLB) in the largest series of the sport, but is not directly connected to its organizations.
Fontier League has risen over a thousand players to the MLB series. Playing there is a big goal and a dream in Kurikka’s career, but there is still work to do.
– The control of the throw is the biggest development goal, that is, where Strike Zone (the stroke) makes those throws go. In addition, the development of non -feeds other than Fastball is a major development. You must be able to throw the ball across the Strike Zone.
Strike Zone is an area of about 45×45 centimeters, to which the ball is thrown at the input rubber 18 meters away, Kurikka explains.
Salary about 70,000 euros
President of SBSL Jukka Ropponen According to a record, the average salary of Frontier League players is around € 70,000, except for the bonuses.
Baseball is one of the world’s accurate sports. The pitfarers receive bonuses, among other things, from won matches and low percentage of the low runs, Ropponen describes.
– Konsta is definitely a medium -paid guy in that league. I can say that even though we are right now at the right end of the long path, every new step will significantly increase the salary level. Compensation is professional, in the same order as in hockey farms, says Ropponen.
In the Finnish Baseball League, the most earning players can get the same readings as sponsor and bonus revenue are added to the salary, Ropponen estimates.
If Kurikka progresses to MLB, the salary will increase to at least € 750,000 per season. The average salary of the series feeders is EUR 4.6 million. A Finnish player admits that money also motivates him in a baseball career.
– Then I can organize a set of frameworks and camps in Finland if you get a lot of money. Of course it attracts.
Kurikka is the first Finnish and baseball player to play as a professional in North America. Juvalainen Kurikka stopped baseball after the summer of 2021 and has only played in the baseball court for three seasons.
– I had the goal to win the Finnish baseball championship in Sotkamo’s Jymy. When it came full, I wanted some new challenges. Manse PP’s Mailman Antti-Jussi Ronkainen He threw the idea that now try it (baseball career) when you throw so hard, Kurikka says.
Most recently, Kurikka has represented the Brisbane Bandits team playing in the Australian Main Series in the Alb. Prior to that, he has played baseball in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai, Germany and Spain.
– The sport requires a lot of practice. However, it is a very different species than baseball, even though the basic idea is the same.
– Perhaps the biggest thing has been getting used to the pass when the ball is fed downhill. The whole throwing technique had to be re -learned. It has required a lot of work, but there is still a lot of work to do, Kurikka describes.
Finns are interested in MLB clubs
According to SBSL, the interest of North American MLB clubs in Finland has increased. This is because there are several young players feeding more than 90 miles per hour (40 m/s or 144 km/h) in Finland.
– Finns play in Germany and Spain. In addition, we are leaving for players elsewhere abroad. There are also international matches in New York, where Scouts (player observers) follow the arts of Finnish, says Ropponen, Chairman of SBSL.
The Finnish Association has also applied for coaching in the United States. Currently, cooperation focuses especially on coaching feeders and throwing. Ropponen says he has visited MLB team training camps in Florida.