Tampere Tigers
Tampere Tigers is a baseball and softball club based in Tampere, Finland. The club competes in both Finnish Baseball Leagues, Suomi Sarja and SM Sarja, and is the current SM Sarja Champion in baseball. Founded in 2004, the Tigers also have a women’s softball team, a Baseball5 team and run a juniors program for children aged 7-13.
History
Founding years and initial growth (2005–2008)
The Tigers, named after the Japanese Hanshin Tigers, began in 2005, entering the Finnish Baseball League with 18 players. Despite finishing 5th in their debut season, they celebrated Rookie of the Year honors for Tomi Krogerus. In 2006, the Tigers aimed for a top-3 spot, narrowly missing it but showing marked improvement, with Tuomo Mesimäki and Niko Wirgentius earning league awards. By 2008, they had qualified for their first postseason, proving themselves in hard-fought games against the dominant Espoo Expos.Key individual performances and league progression (2009–2012)
Despite challenging seasons, the Tigers boasted standout individual achievements, including Tommi Harala’s league-best.514 batting average in 2009 and a league-high fielding percentage in 2010. Shifting to Suomi Sarja in 2011, they achieved a solid 3-1-1 record before returning to SM Sarja in 2012, with Andres Mena leading the league with a.512 average.Consistent improvement and Suomi Sarja playoff success (2013–2015)
The Tigers continued to rise in the standings, with Andres Mena and Yoan Martinez consistently topping the league in batting averages. In 2015, the Tigers returned to Suomi Sarja, earning their second playoff appearance and finishing the season as runners-up, marking another high point in their early history.Historic championship and New Horizons (2016–2018)
2016 was a landmark year for the Tigers, who clinched their first Suomi Sarja title following an exceptional 13-2 regular season. In 2017, they expanded to both SM Sarja and Suomi Sarja, achieving a strong 3rd place in SM Sarja and back-to-back Suomi Sarja championships. They also established their first women’s softball team, playing three exhibition games and underscoring the club’s growth in both performance and structure. By 2018, the Tigers’ roster was at a record high, and they reached the Suomi Sarja playoffs once more, only to fall in the semifinals to rivals Espoo XL5.First SM Sarja Finals and continued success (2019–2021)
In 2019, the Tigers reached the SM Sarja finals for the first time, finishing as runners-up in a hard-fought five-game series. While they opted out of the SM Sarja finals in 2020 due to disputes with league management, they returned in 2021 to claim their first SM Sarja title, defeating the Espoo Expos. The Tigers’ softball team also won the Finnish national title, earning both baseball and softball championships in a single season, a club milestone.European Representation and Record-Breaking Seasons (2022–2023)
2022 was a record-breaking year with a 14-1 regular season, though the Tigers fell in the SM Sarja finals. Their first appearance in the European Cup Qualifiers in Poland highlighted the club's growing international presence. In 2023, they returned to the European Cup in Budapest, achieving their first international win against Sofia Leaders. Both Superbaseball and Fat Lizard teams topped the regular season in Finland, though both fell just short in the finals. A notable 11-game win streak in Superbaseball underscored their continued local dominance.Strengthened Juniors and international play (2024)
The Tigers faced a challenging Superbaseball season in 2024, finishing 3rd due to bullpen gaps, but they advanced to the Suomi Sarja semifinals with a mid-season roster boost. Competing in their third European Cup Qualifier in Stockholm, they faced some of Europe’s strongest teams. Meanwhile, the Tigers’ juniors program celebrated its second year in the Baltic Junior Games in Estonia, marking their first international win, a promising step for the next generation of Tigers players.SM Sarja Champions – 2025 Season
The 2025 season began with some early defeats, but the Tigers grew steadily over the summer, building momentum with a 12-game winning streak. They advanced to the semifinals, eliminating multiple-time champions Espoo Expos 2–0 to reach the final against Helsinki Puumat. The Tigers dominated the finals, winning three straight games to secure the championship. Strong pitching, near-perfect defense, smart base-running, and timely hitting were key to their success.
With the SM Sarja title in hand, the Tampere Tigers will represent Finland at the Baseball European Federation Cup Qualifier in June 2026 for the fourth time, marking another milestone in the club’s growing international presence.
Players 2025
A combination of experienced players and talented young faces have brought strength and confidence to the team.Official list of players
- Jose Mesa
- Sergio Fernandez
- Mauricio Rosales
- Niko Mäki
- Gabriel Rosell
- Enieri Mainegra
- Luis Noyola
- Jose Gonzales
- Juan Carlos Mendez
- Corey Niemi
- Adunais Perez
- Leodanys Ramos
- Jyri Portin
- Sakari Keskitalo
- Israel Perez
- Emiliano Rivero
- Alejandro Touzett
- Pasi Tulonen
- Juha-Pekka Niemi
- Tommi Harala
- Oskari Keskitalo
- Topias Keskitalo
- Deivid Murgelj
- Adrian Dominguez
- Miika Savolainen
- Kasperi Salo
- Jenna Niemi
- Niilo Lowell
- Alcides Hechavarria Wilson
- Kim Laurén
- Drew Davis
- Teemu Luomanpera
Managers
The Tigers have had a great selection of managers and coaches. Working together with the Club's board, their main objectives have always been the development of new talents and building up a competitive team for each season.- 2004 Lassi Autio
- 2005 Lassi Autio
- 2006 Lassi Autio
- 2007 Oliver Paredes
- 2008 Tuomo Mesimäki
- 2009 Lassi Autio
- 2010 Aki Ropo
- 2011 Lassi Autio
- 2012 Aki Ropo
- 2013 Andres Mena
- 2014 Luis Noyola
- 2015 Lassi Autio
- 2016 Mauricio Rosales
- 2017 Mauricio Rosales
- 2018 Mauricio Rosales
- 2019 Mauricio Rosales
- 2020 Mauricio Rosales
- 2021 Mauricio Rosales
- 2022 Mauricio Rosales
- 2023 Mauricio Rosales
- 2024 Mauricio Rosales
- 2025 Mauricio Rosales
Former or currently inactive players
Throughout its history, the team has had an array of extra ordinary players. Some are still active in other teams in Finland and some are playing overseas. Some of the players have had previous experience playing baseball while some others learned to play in the club.List of former or currently inactive players
- Roynet Perez Raynel Corporan Yi-Chen Li Danis Garcia Aleksandr Igitov Ergo Rohi Tauno Koppel Aleks Koppel Silvio Quevedo Yoan Martinez Samuel Figueroa Henri Santala Janne Pihlajaniemi Willys Reyes Yendrys Serrano Tuomas Virtanen Luis Diaz Janne Ylänkö Miikka Aaltonen Andres Mena Williams Kelly Remberto Martinez Niklas Palander Santeri Heino Toni Kemppainen Duviel Fernandez Harvey Fernandez Severi Lehtimäki Tuomo Vestola Simon Visser Cassie Andersen Anssi Rämä Riku Sjöroos Tuomas Lemmetty Markus Blommendahl Jarkko Vilkkilä Otto Nojonen Jarkko Juutilainen Tomi Krogerus Arni Hukari Akira Ropo Aki Ropo Toni Sjöman Oliver Paredes Juha Kurki Mikko Salmensuo Mauno Ahlgren Jarmo Rintala Aarne Juutilainen Olli Mehtonen Klaus Tamminen Niko Wirgentius Tuomo Mesimäki Abel Maranon Julian Hasegawa Ton Sjöman Jyrki Nummenmaa Samuli Ikola Tomi Karppinen Kari Harjunniemi Jarkko Kettunen Carlos Ardila Tommi Tuominen Juha Antikainen Alberto Martinez Tommi Sakki Victor Viloria Simopekka Vänskä Marc Phillipe Tomi Mäntymaa Tuomas Miskala Jarkko Mällinen Harri Moisio Edvin Suarez Konsta Eskelinen Otto Eskelinen Victor Maso Antony De la Cruz Atro-Matti Puruskainen Heikki Valkama Toivo Aaltonen Dayron Lester Markku Tikka Teemu Takala Antti Kiviniemi Markus Kailanto Don Kilpela Jake Binney Markku Tikka Henri Virinsalo Juuso Valkeala Jarmo Rintala Jarkko Vilkkilä Mikko Helin Joni Holmberg Dennys King Roope Korhonen Mikko Siltanen Samuel Kivi Narender Kumar Rafael Espinal Gilberto Ruiz Silvio Guarat Jeremi Rannikko Riku Katajamäki Eemi Huhtinen Jani Aaltonen Wilmer Wilson Elwin Rosario Martin Magris Lassi Autio Teo Scheepstra Camilla Lehtimäki Roberto Martinez Sidney Kitchen Vicente Herrera Heidi Rimpi Yuber Fajardo Petteri Peijonen Tuomas Virtanen Patrick Carney Christian Camacho
- Some of the players in this list become available and return to the team to play in a particular season while some others have already retired from the sport.
Statistics
Tigers SM Sarja record (including post season games)
| Year | Games | Win | Loss |
| 2005 | 15 | 4 | 11 |
| 2006 | 12 | 4 | 8 |
| 2007 | 12 | 1 | 11 |
| 2008 | 14 | 4 | 10 |
| 2009 | 16 | 3 | 13 |
| 2010 | 15 | 3 | 12 |
| 2012 | 12 | 3 | 9 |
| 2013 | 15 | 4 | 11 |
| 2014 | 15 | 5 | 10 |
| 2017 | 16 | 9 | 7 |
| 2018 | 16 | 6 | 10 |
| 2019 | 20 | 15 | 5 |
| 2020 | 17 | 12 | 5 |
| 2021 | 20 | 15 | 5 |
| 2022 | 18 | 14 | 4 |
| 2023 | 17 | 13 | 4 |
| 2024 | 14 | 3 | 11 |
| 2025 | 20 | 14 | 6 |
| Total | 284 | 132 | 145 |
Post-season record
The team won its first final in 2016.| Year | League / Competition | Round | Opponent | Result | Outcome |
| 2008 | SM Sarja | Semifinal | Espoo Expos | 0–2 | Lost series |
| 2015 | Suomi Sarja | Final | Espoo XL5 | 5–14 | Lost single-game final |
| 2016 | Suomi Sarja | Final | Helsinki City | 8–5 | Won championship |
| 2017 | Suomi Sarja | — | — | — | Won championship |
| 2018 | Suomi Sarja | Wildcard | Nokia White Sox | 15–5 | Won single game |
| 2018 | Suomi Sarja | Final | Espoo XL5 | 0–2 | Lost series |
| 2019 | Suomi Sarja | Final | Espoo XL5 | 0–2 | Lost series |
| 2019 | SM Sarja | Final | Espoo Expos | 1–3 | Lost series |
| 2020 | SM Sarja | Final | Espoo Expos | 0–3 | Lost series |
| 2021 | SM Sarja | Final | Espoo Expos | 3–1 | Won championship |
| 2021 | Suomi Sarja | Final | Espoo XL5 | 0–2 | Lost series |
| 2021 | Softball Championship | Final | Helsinki Sandstorm | 14–9 | Won championship |
| 2022 | SM Sarja | Final | Espoo Expos | 0–3 | Lost series |
| 2023 | SM Sarja | Final | Espoo Expos | 2–3 | Lost series |
| 2024 | Suomi Sarja | Quarterfinal | Helsinki Mets | 14–4 | Won single game |
| 2024 | Suomi Sarja | Semifinal | Espoo XL5 | 2–4 | Lost single game |
| 2025 | SM Sarja | Semifinal | Espoo Expos | 2–0 | Won series |
| 2025 | SM Sarja | Final | Puumat | 3–0 | Won championship |