Karai still hurling those winners

At 57, the veteran is set to chalk up another Grand Final SHE still has a lot of tricks left in her pitching bag. If you’re not careful, she might as well send you back to the dugout with a strike-out (k2). Meet 57-year-old Selina Karai, one of the senior experienced pitchers in Port Moresby Women’s Softball Association.

She plays for the Executive Security Systems, Anti Pest sponsored United Sisters A grade team. As she prepares to play in one of her countless Grand Finals this Saturday, Karai recalls how her softball journey started for her back in Rabaul, East New Britain province. While growing up at Talvat, her brothers were the ones who taught her about the basics of softball.



“I started my softball career when I was back at home, Rabaul, when I was still in school (grade 10 at Boisen High School) back in the 1980s,” Karai said. “In 1984 I was selected for Rabaul to attend the national championship in Madang, and from there I moved on to play for clubs like NGI, Mazda and other clubs here in Port Moresby. “With my late husband, Oscar, we formed a club called SP but unfortunately, we never made it into the finals.

“We went on to form Stingerz and at a club championships we managed to face off against Manolos. “We took the match 13 innings but after that Manolos won. “I left Stingerz and all of us (the family) moved over to United Sisters where we won several Grand Finals,” she adds with a smile.

Her late husband Oscar Karai hails from Kabilomo village, Duke of York Island, East New Britain province. She said despite age catching up with her, she still gives her best week in, week out. Having to take a one year away from stepping onto the pitching mound last year as a show of respect towards the passing of her late husband, her re-entry is always a motivation for the younger generation.

“Until I am on a walking stick...

then I will call it quits,” Karai said jokingly. “My advice to the young softballers is that you must have to have that game day mentality. “As a pitcher, you have to see how the batter is standing, and that decides how you will address your delivery.

“It is not all about standing there for the sake of pitching, no, it is all about having a thinking game approach. “Your combination with your catcher must be spot on.” Teaming up with her daughter, Tessa, the mother/daughter combo are more than well-versed on how to distabilise batting lineups.

“Tessa previously played short-stop or second base, but there was a time during the club championships when an injury to my catcher forced my late husband to put Tessa to catch,” Karai said. “From there, she (Tessa) stuck with the role. Our late dad would always encourage us by saying that the pitcher/catcher combination can decide games.

“He always tells us, when you see a batter stepping onto the mound, play some mind games with the batter. “Because of this, half the time, Tessa is calling the shots,” she added. With regards to encouragement to younger players, she says it’s all about taking the game seriously.

“If you do not know anything about the game, you have to ask. “I always tell the B graders..

.do not pretend but always speak out and seek assistance. “Be disciplined, obedient, humble and always focus on your batting, base running and fielding.

” Apart from her five brothers, Karai’s mentors in pitching were Lawrence and Steven Bunbun Sr. “Every afternoon when I finish from school, they’ll train me and they were the ones who gave me the confidence and strength to pitch. “My late husband was also supportive towards myself and our children.

“I dedicate this Grand Final (this Saturday) to our late dad, my brothers, Lawrence Bunbun, Steven Bunbun and others who have contributed in a big way towards our softball careers,” added the veteran..