While H-M and Tiina were in London, the boys were at home. Once the summer holidays had started and the end-of-year reports had been given, the little boys headed off to Tapiola to take part in a handicrafts 'camp' at the Espoo Museum of Modern Art. They came home with some shelves (Thomas) and a 2-metre long portable 'den' (Henry). Not quite what the Elk's Street elders had in mind when the children were packed off to a handicrafts course.
Next up was a baseball 'school'. This was run by the local Finnish baseball club, Pesä Ysit, and the children met three times a week to play 'pesäpallo', or Finnish baseball.
Finnish baseball differs from American baseball in many ways: the pitcher pitches the ball vertically over the plate - making it easier for the batter to hit the ball; the bases are set so that the distances between them differ - making it easy to get to first base but progressively more difficult to get to second, third and home; the batter is not allowed to hit the ball directly out of the playing area - making the game much more tactical as the batter must try to hit the ball between the fielders. For more about the rules, see the description here.
Of course, the game as played by the 'cracks' and as played by small children looks very different. But everyone has to start somewhere.
For your enjoyment, below some links to videos of the boys in action during the end-of-course competition.
Next up was a baseball 'school'. This was run by the local Finnish baseball club, Pesä Ysit, and the children met three times a week to play 'pesäpallo', or Finnish baseball.
Finnish baseball differs from American baseball in many ways: the pitcher pitches the ball vertically over the plate - making it easier for the batter to hit the ball; the bases are set so that the distances between them differ - making it easy to get to first base but progressively more difficult to get to second, third and home; the batter is not allowed to hit the ball directly out of the playing area - making the game much more tactical as the batter must try to hit the ball between the fielders. For more about the rules, see the description here.
Of course, the game as played by the 'cracks' and as played by small children looks very different. But everyone has to start somewhere.
For your enjoyment, below some links to videos of the boys in action during the end-of-course competition.
Henry hits the ball, makes first base, and allows his team to score a run.
Henry gets home from third base.
He scores a run for his team, but does not seem to be too excited about this. Somehow, he just doesn't have the sportsman's drive and killer instinct (except when fishing, of course).
Thomas hits the ball, and makes first, second, and then third base. He later goes on to score a run, allowing his team to win.
The little boys had a lot of fun. Thomas did very well as an all-rounder, and Henry was a surprisingly good batsman. Pesäpallo is a fine game, but is nowhere near as good as "the gentleman's game" - cricket!
