Softball: Makea's happy to give back

Fabian Makea is enjoying giving back to the code in his home province. Photo/File

Former Black Sox softballer Fabian Makea is relishing coaching teams from his home province of Hawke's Bay.

Makea, 39, is a multiple national title-winning coach with Wellington and Wellington East Girls' College — teams his daughters, White Sox outfielder Mereana and Marama, have played for. Now he is coaching the Maraenui Pumas premier men's team and the Hawke's Bay under-15 boys team which started play at their North Island tournament at Wellington's Hataitai Park yesterday.

"Male teams are a bit different to female ones. You only have to tell the females once but with males I find myself repeating things a little more. Now I know why dad [multiple national title-winning age group coach Tom Makea snr] used to sometimes get a little cross with us when we were playing. But it's good fun and it's good to be giving back to a province which has always had and will always have plenty of potential," Makea said.

He blamed "first-game jitters and wet conditions" on an 11-3 loss to Tairawhiti. He was impressed with the manner in which they bounced back to beat Wellington Development 7-2.

Pitcher Rakai Henare was outstanding and took 10 strikeouts while giving up two earned runs and one walk. Henare and Xavier Clark-Lloyd collected three hits from as many turns at bat. Hawke's Bay will play Manawatu and Auckland today.

The Teri Bird and Nancy Tamati-coached Hawke's Bay under-15 girls team opened their North Island tournament campaign in Papakura with an 11-1 loss to Hutt Valley and a 13-12 loss to North Harbour.

Bird said her girls took a while to shake off the cobwebs against Hutt Valley, a match in which pitcher Innika Hapuku-Lambert, displayed plenty of courage.

Against North Harbour Hapuku-Lambert conceded five runs and no hits during her 3.2 innings on the mound while Arohaina Hawaikirangi conceded eight runs and six hits during her 2.1 innings.

Hapuku-Lambert, Jaimee Mataira and Amiria Tamati all collected two hits from four turns at bat while Alizeigh Hanley-Edwards produced three hits from four turns and Honor Hanley-Kopara collected two hits from as many turns.

Hawke's Bay take on Counties Manukau and Manawatu today.