Pesäpallo at the 1952 Summer Olympics facts for kids
Pesäpallo, a sport often called "Finnish baseball," was part of the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland. It was played as a demonstration sport, which means it was shown to the public but didn't count for official medals. This was a special way to introduce the sport to a wider audience.
The game started at 6:00 PM on July 31st. Lauri Pihkala, the person who invented Pesäpallo, threw the first "feed" (which is like a pitch in baseball). Two teams played against each other: the Finnish Baseball Federation and the Finnish Workers' Sports Federation. The game was shorter than usual, and the Finnish Baseball Federation won with a score of 8–4.
Teams at the Olympics
Two main teams played in the Pesäpallo demonstration game. They represented different sports organizations in Finland.
Finnish Baseball Federation Team (Pesäpalloliitto)
This team was made up of players from the official Finnish Baseball Federation.
- Eino Kaakkolahti, pitcher
- Leo Hannula, 1st baseman
- Viljo Niemi, left fielder
- Olli Hanski, 2nd baseman
- Antti Elomaa, catcher
- Pertti Ahonen, 3rd baseman
- Eero Vuorio, right shortstop
- Toivo Ilola, left shortstop
- Taisto Lehto, right fielder
- Viljo Kokkonen, substitute
- Pertti Jaakkola, substitute
- Eero Vilevaara, substitute
Workers' Athletic Federation Team (Työväen Urheiluliitto)
This team represented the Workers' Athletic Federation, another important sports group in Finland.
- Aimo Paavola, pitcher
- Osmo Juntto, 1st baseman
- Onni Sallinen, left fielder
- Jorma Harlin, 2nd baseman
- Reino Hakkarainen, catcher
- Veikko Auersalmi, 3rd baseman
- Pauli Kilpiä, right shortstop
- Paavo Reiju, left shortstop
- Lasse Heikkilä, right fielder
- Pauli Lahtinen, substitute
- Pauli Vainio, substitute
- Oiva Huuskonen, substitute
