Gettins shakes off shot to head | Hawkes Bay Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Hawkes Bay

 Welcome to the Fast Pitch premier men's softball team, Josh Gettins!

"If that's his initiation, he'll be glad it only happens once," quipped long-serving Hawke's Bay scorer Harriet Rangi after a quirky incident during Fast Pitch's 13-3 win against Napier at Akina Park, Hastings, on Saturday.

"We're laughing about it now but it gave us all a fright at the time," said Rangi.

Black Sox training squad member Gettins, who transferred to Fast Pitch when his former Dodgers side didn't have enough numbers for a team this season, was hit in the head with a hard infield drive from his captain and first baseman Mario Herbert.

"Fortunately, he was wearing a helmet and his head was faced down slightly as he was sprinting home," said Rangi.

Third baseman Gettins shook it off in style and finished the match with three hits from as many turns at bat, including a double and five RBIs.

Right outfielder Josh Tipoki also collected three hits from as many turns at bat and an RBI in the first round of the Hawke's Bay competition.

Fast Pitch co-coaches Rayner Te Wake and Chubb Tangaroa took the opportunity to introduce several of their club's youngsters to premier play, including Tangaroa's son, Havelock North High School student Isaiah, who pitched the final inning. Their team scored six runs in the first innings, four in the second and three in the third.

The Napier side has been introduced to the competition this season so it remains a four-team one in the absence of Dodgers. Napier is a combination of senior B players from the Marist and Taradale clubs.

Veteran third baseman Scotty Mitchell, 48, collected a double and two RBIs from his three turns at bat and scored one of his side's three runs in the third inning.

He and Rangi agreed Napier would only improve once their players adjusted to the step up.

Defending champions Maraenui Pumas opened their campaign with a five inning 14-1 demolition job on Harris Scrap Saints.

Former Dodgers player Luke Herrick celebrated his Pumas debut with two three baggers.

Saints pitcher and former Junior Black Sox utility Jovaan Hanley smashed a home run in the bottom of the fourth inning.

On the mound, Hanley conceded 10 hits and gave up five walks.

Pumas pitcher and former Black Sox training squad member Regan Manley struck out six of the 18 Saints batters he faced while conceding two walks and three hits.