Urheilu shows the Superpesis match between Joensuu Maila and Kouvola’s Ballonlöki on Sunday on TV2. The broadcast starts at 16:50.
Having achieved the title of pioneer last summer Patrik Vartama enjoys baseball especially a lot right now.
The reason is not so much personal performances, but the fact that he gets to play baseball healthy together with his friends.
During the winter season, Vartama had mysterious injury concerns. Known as a great outfielder, Vartama was unable to throw because both of his hands became inflamed.
– Normally, the infections should go away in a couple of three weeks if you don’t do anything, but they lasted a really long time for me. It took even 4–6 months, says Vartama.
At first, Vartama’s left arm was supported, and he was not allowed to irritate his body in any way. Little by little, he was able to use an exercise bike and a leg press.
When it got easier with the left hand and he had already received permission to run, the right shoulder became inflamed. It all started from scratch.
– Yes, it was hard on the mind when you didn’t really know what was wrong with them. Nothing could be done and nothing helped. Glad to see it’s okay now. It is the most important.
Even more stupid thoughts
When the photos taken by the doctors revealed that there was nothing broken in the hands, it gave Vartama a little faith. Even though different thoughts were running through my mind, the end of my career didn’t creep into the back of my mind.
– But I do wonder if it could be caused by something else, that my hands are mysteriously inflamed. In such a situation, a person’s head is such that even stupider thoughts come up.
– Clearly I wasn’t right again, when everything is fine now, Vartama smiles.
Out in May
KPL game manager Iiro Haimin no one knew exactly what the injury was about.
– We just believed that if he can rehabilitate and follow the doctors’ and other instructions, he will be fit to play. Fortunately, that’s what happened.
– When at the beginning you didn’t know if you could even hit, then at those points it felt like he might need a little mental support. When he got to the training work regarding the indoor game, not anymore after that. Training was tailored so that the outdoor game was absent.
Vartama played as a joker during the government period, but at the beginning of May he also got off with a flipper in hand.
Varta has never had similar injuries before. That’s why he has learned to appreciate being able to play and enjoy baseball together with his friends.
– This has felt really sweet. He had forgotten what it feels like to throw with all his might without getting hurt. Now it feels good again. I’m really enjoying myself at the moment.
Extreme desire
Vartama is one of the brightest stars of baseball’s future. Already in the last season, he really blew it by scoring the most runs (54) in the entire series.
Vartama, who is fast in the wind, for example, ran from third to the home base in an average of 5.16 seconds, i.e. the fastest of all Superpesis players. At his best, he reached the home stretch in less than five seconds.
– When I was a game director, there have been several good forwards, but he has an extremely strong desire to win slots with his own progression. It is exceptional, says Haimi.
So what is Vartama’s speed based on?
Vartama is the fastest on his team, but he is not superior compared to the other top performers. However, he stands out from other Superpesis players as an extremely good player leaving the nest.
– If I had such a tiger’s eye and the desire to make time for another nest. It has always been since childhood. Even though I wasn’t terribly fast in my junior years, I was able to make up for it as I progressed.
Making strides in Tahko
Vartama says that, for example, today even C-boys can already run 30 meters in less than four seconds, but even in A-boys his time was over four seconds. In the KPL, Vartama has covered the distance in the best time of 3.75.
– A lot happened in Tahko when the athletics coach Markku Kytölän with I changed my running style. I stopped quilting like crazy and decided to focus on technique, step length and similar things.
Vartama has had an extremely strong desire to pinch every hundredth to his side. At one time, it was also the biggest problem of the progressive. He often got out of the triple nest when the lock made a tactical mistake.
Vartama, who moved to Kouvolaa last season, has calmed down.
– I have trusted that, as a forward, you don’t need to win gaps every time. We also have some really good replacement batsmen, so it also gives them a chance so that I’m not messing around there for nothing.
Baseball player of the year?
The playmaker who already knew Vartama from the Hyvinkää days Iiro Haimi sees that Vartama has the potential to be the series’ asbolutic top player.
– And of course it’s always a matter of opinion who is the best, but he has, for example, a chance to be the baseball player of the year.
According to Haim, the progression and outside play are top-notch, but the biggest area of development is the handle of the stick.
– It’s also about finding the right role. He has played second for us, and that’s where he will play in the future as well.
Born: 12.4.1998 Hämeenlinna
Breeders’ association: Jokioinen Test
Revival: Jokioinen Koetus, Hyvinkää Tahko, Kouvola Pallonlöjät
Track record: Superpesis forward king (2022) and two East-West matches (2019, 2022).
Statistics in Superpesis: hits: 5+23, brought in: 207, headers: 1131, matches 178
Leadership is needed
The game director adds that Vartama has also worked on the qualities of a leader. According to Haim, Vartama has the opportunity to be the absolute leader of the team also within the team.
– It definitely requires experience, but also putting the personality into the body. He must dare to throw himself into that role.
According to Haim, Vartama is a very liked person within the team. One character trait is that he is even a little shy in certain things.
– He has a lot of thoughts and good thoughts, but sometimes you can see how strongly he dares to bring them up. That’s one part of growing into a leading player.
“Many have talents”
Although Vartama is relaxed and calm as a person, on the field he exudes an extremely strong will to win.
As a baseball player, Vartama aims for success and a championship with the team. He only takes a stand on the baseball player of the year title when asked.
There has been talk that you have the talent to be baseball player of the year someday. What does it sound like?
– Many have talents. It requires a bit of a button press, but I don’t mind. It would be great to win. I will do everything to make it possible.