Softball: Pumaverse celebrates

PUMAS FIRST: Tiwana Aranui will become the first Maraenui Pumas softballer to play at a World Series when he represents the Junior Black Sox in Canada in July. PHOTO/PAUL TAYLOR HBT140413-01

Hawkes's Bay softballers had a perfect explanation for Monday's earthquake which shook the lower North Island.

They reckoned it was earth's reaction to the celebrations in the "Pumaverse". For those not in the know, the "Pumaverse" is the nickname for the Maraenui Pumas softball club and on Monday club stalwarts were toasting the first World Series player in the club's 30-year history - versatile utility-second baseman Tiwana Aranui.

A 17-year-old Napier Boys' High School Year 13 student, Aranui was the previous day selected in the Junior Black Sox side to attend the July World Series in Canada. He was the only Bay player named in the side which is coached by Hawke's Bay's Wellington-based four-time world champion and retired Black Sox legend Thomas Makea.

The national side was named at the end of the four-day national under-19 boys' tournament at Lower Hutt's Fraser Park. Aranui didn't fancy his chances after his Hawke's Bay team finished ninth in the 11-team event. "I wasn't too confident after day two. We had three losses that day and I was quite down. However, like the team, I came back well during the final two days and I was stoked to hear my name read out ... it was an honour," Aranui said.

He didn't have to wait long for news of his selection as the team was read out in alphabetical order and Aranui's name came first.

"The microphone was a bit fuzzy but as soon as I heard my name I covered my face with my cap ... I was smiling from ear to ear," Aranui recalled.

As part of the Junior Black Sox build-up to Canada, they will play at the prestigious Dean Schick tournament in North Harbour from February 21-23 and attend several training camps.

"I will use the camps and the tournament to push for a berth in the starting nine. I don't mind what position I play as long as I'm on the diamond but second base is my preferred position ... it's my versatility which probably got me selected."

Aranui has decided not to play any rugby until he returns from the World Series. He was likely to get game time in his school's 1st XV this season as a hooker or blindside flanker.

"Softball has to be my main focus now. I'll be lifting my tempo with my gym work, aim to improve my speed around the bases and do a lot of batting work."

A softballer since the age of 5, Aranui has represented Hawke's Bay at all age-group levels and last week's national under-19s tournament was his third in this age group. This weekend he will play at the Vic Guth tournament in Auckland for the Fast Pitch club.

With Hawke's Bay not sending a men's or women's side to the February 13-16 National Fastpitch Championship in Christchurch, Aranui hoped to be drafted into another team for the event. He is likely to play for Hawke's Bay's Fast Pitch club at the March 12-16 men's interclubs in Lower Hutt. "These will be further opportunities to push for a starting nine berth," he said.

Aranui said he was grateful for the guidance numerous coaches had given him during the past 12 years. His father Roger was at the top of the list, followed closely by the late Mel England and former Bay age group coach Corey Tamati.

"They've all been awesome but my brother, Karaitiana, taught me everything I know."

Karaitiana, who is now Auckland-based, was unlucky not to be selected in the Junior Black Sox side for the 2012 Junior World Series in Argentina. Aranui's father managed the side which finished sixth. He regards all of the Black Sox as his heroes and said one of his career highlights was chatting to multiple world champions Mark Sorenson and Brad Rona after his selection.

This selection is the highlight of the Bay's age-group programme to date this summer. The closest the Bay got to a national title was when the under-19 girls, coached by Junior White Sox coach Kevin Gettins, were pipped 4-3 by Canterbury in their tournament final in Nelson on Sunday.

The Bay under-13 boys' and girls' teams will play in their Central Region tournaments at Akina Park, Hastings, on February 8 and 9.