For the Ylivieska-based Finnish baseball team PesäKuula, a love for the sport and a strong sense of community are at the heart of everything they do. This summer, those qualities are also reflected in a unique fundraising campaign centered around a home-made sauna equipped with a Mondex Klapi wood-burning heater. In this collaboration, local roots and a hands-on attitude take center stage.

A LONG HISTORY AND STRONG IDENTITY

PesäKuula originates from the Finnish baseball activities of Ylivieskan Kuula, a sports club with a history spanning nearly 120 years. This long tradition provides continuity and a strong identity, while the team's focus remains firmly on the present and the future. Many of the players, most of whom are in their twenties, spend their weekdays studying elsewhere and travel back home for training.

As the team's coach Petri Huhtala is responsible for ensuring that players can balance their everyday lives while maintaining a competitive environment. His role is a varied one:

“My responsibilities include building the team, planning and carrying out fundraising initiatives, and handling the practical work behind the scenes.”

And now, Huhtala has also added ‘carpenter’ to his job description.

A FUNDRAISING PROJECT IN COLLABORATION WITH MONDEX

Last spring, Huhtala designed and built an entire sauna as part of PesäKuula's fundraising campaign. The approximately two-week construction project was completed together with his father, and everything from the frame structure to the sauna benches was built entirely by the two of them.

Sauna toimii keskeisenä osana kesäbingoa, jonka yhteydessä rakennus ja sinne asennettu Mondexin puulämmitteinen Klapi-kiuas arvotaan uuteen kotiin. Bingon tuloilla rahoitetaan joukkueen toimintaa ensi kaudella.

The partnership between PesäKuula and Mondex came together naturally, as both are based in Ylivieska. The team wanted to find a local partner whose values and roots aligned with their own. For the sauna, they selected the black wood-burning Klapi heater, specifically designed for more compact sauna spaces. Its small safety distance requirements allow for efficient use of space without compromising on the quality of the sauna experience.

The installation process was straightforward and integrated seamlessly into the construction phase. The collaboration itself also progressed smoothly, with only a few minor scheduling challenges along the way. Now the sauna is fully completed and equipped, simply waiting for its new lucky owner.

SAUNA AS A PART OF PREPARATION AND TEAM SPIRIT

During the development season, training is diverse and structured. A typical week includes two gym sessions, two running workouts, and sport-specific training such as batting practice when needed. Weekday sessions mainly involve local players, while weekends bring together players who travel in from other locations. Training sessions are also occasionally organized in nearby towns such as Nivala and Sievi.

The training schedule regularly includes days dedicated to recovery, allowing each player to recharge in the way that suits them best. Recovery is largely an individual responsibility, but it is often done together as a team. Team members also spend plenty of time together outside training by watching Finnish baseball or going swimming. From time to time, they organize sauna evenings where they can relax, enjoy good food, and take a break from the game.

AIMING FOR A HIGHER DIVISION

PesäKuula enters the season with high expectations. The team has been named among the pre-season favorites, and earning a place in a higher division is the clear objective. Huhtala knows, however, that success on the field often comes down to small details and delivering when it matters most. The roster has been assembled from a broad pool of players from across the surrounding region, providing a strong foundation for building a competitive team.

The team's active communications efforts are also delivering results. In addition to gaining visibility across Northern Finland, PesäKuula has recently attracted growing international attention. Interest in the sport is clearly expanding. As a result, PesäKuula continues building the future with determination, combining tradition, hard work, and ambitious goals.

Find PesäKuula on social media @pesakuula and @Jokilaakson Pesakuula