Helsinki-based baseball club Puumat Baseball is expanding its operations by founding a new team, Helsinki Hawks, which will begin competitive play in the Fat Lizard League in the 2026 season. The new team represents a return to both the club’s own roots and the origins of baseball in Finland.

The Hawks name is deeply rooted in history. In the early 1980s, a baseball team called the Wrangler Hawks operated in Finland, taking its name from its parent club, the Katajanokan Haukat. The Wrangler Hawks made history by winning Finland’s first-ever national baseball championship in 1981. That pioneering team also gave rise to what later became Puumat Baseball. Now, the Hawks return to the field as a modern, development-focused team with a strong connection to that legacy

Wrangler Hawks -team in 1980s

A Development Pathway for Emerging Players

Helsinki Hawks will serve as a platform for younger and developing players. The team trains in close cooperation with its sister team, Helsinki Devils, which also competes in the Fat Lizard League. Shared training and coaching create a clear and structured pathway for player development and competitive growth.

“We are truly excited about establishing the Hawks. Returning to the name where it all began is both a tribute to the pioneers of Finnish baseball and a strong look toward the future,” says Terho Tiilikainen, Chairman of the Puumat Board.

During the winter season, the Hawks train regularly at the Pallomylly indoor facility on Wednesdays at 8:00 PM. In addition, The club organizes tryout sessions for new and interested players who wish to join the Hawks and become part of the Puumat player pathway.

Puumat Baseball is a multi-team, multi-level club. In addition to the Hawks and Devils, the club includes the men’s top-level team Puumat, competing in the Superbaseball League, the women’s softball team Sandstorm, and the junior program Puumat Cubs, which offers baseball activities for children aged 7–13. Together, these teams form a unified pathway from grassroots participation to competitive baseball and softball.

Further information:

Terho Tiilikainen, Chairman of the Puumat Club Board ([email protected])

Tomio Pihkala, Puumat Head Coach, ([email protected])

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