Karratti's Happy Hawaiians 65 AA team was one of three Hawai'i teams that won titles at the 2003 Las Vegas World Masters Softball Championships in October.

It is believed to be the first time that three teams from Hawai'i have won three division championships at the tournament. The Hawai'i 60s AAA and Hawai'i 55s also won championships.

"This is the first time where we entered this tournament where we were able to come away with a ring," said Karratti, 70. "We all looked forward to winning a ring."

The victories represent the success of Hawai'i's 55-and-over senior softball leagues that feature more than 30 teams and 450 players statewide. More importantly, Karratti said, it showcases Hawai'i's vintage talent against the best Mainland teams.

"It's fantastic," he said. "It shows that we can compete. When we go to tournaments, there's some with 280 teams in different age brackets."

Karratti said there were 16 teams in the Happy Hawaiians' age bracket at the Las Vegas Tournament.

"We competed against teams from all over the Mainland," Karratti said. "Teams come from Florida, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Washington, Las Vegas. Senior softball is a big thing."

Paul Valentine, the president of the Makua Ali'i Slowpitch League, said Hawai'i players have one thing going for them.

"They practice a lot," said Valentine, 66. "They got some good leaders like (former Kailua athletic director) Alex Kane who stresses practice."

In addition, the equipment has evolved, with senior softball players swinging high-tech bats that are lighter and stronger, Valentine said.

"The baseball bats are bionic," said Valentine, who nonetheless still uses a wooden bat from 1959 when he plays. "At first, the DeMarini (bat) was 'the thing.' Now it's graduated. There's better bats and the ball just jumps off them. Now days, all you see is guys with $300, $400 bats."

Valentine and other senior softball players said participation in the Makua Ali'i league has held steady in the past few years with about 30 to 35 teams statewide.

The Makua Ali'i league plays the entire year and hosts a state tournament every August. O'ahu teams play every Wednesday at the O'ahu Central Park Complex. Games start at 9:30 a.m.

In addition, players 70-and-over play Fridays at Ala Wai Neighborhood Park, starting at 9 a.m. On Mondays, players 55-and-over play "pickup softball" at the same site, starting at 9 a.m.

These "pickup softball" games are similar to open tryouts for players who want to join a team, Valentine said. Aspiring players should come to these games and "guys will see you play, and they'll recruit you," Valentine said.

That is, "unless you have a reputation, then they'll try to recruit you before anybody else," Valentine said. "This is like the major leagues. There's a lot of (New York Yankee owner George) Steinbrenners out there."

Experienced 55-and-over players can join a new league played at O'ahu Central Park Complex on Fridays. The league, which uses Mainland tournament rules, was started by Kane and a group of avid softball players.

"We play with a 12-inch softball (as opposed to Makua Ali'i's 14-inch)," said Kane, 68. "The field situation (at O'ahu Central Park Complex) is very similar to Mainland fields. And besides the enjoyment and fun, it's preparing guys for the Mainland teams."

And if it's motivation they're after, players only need to look at their teammates.

"When I sit down on the field and I see these old guys running, I'm really, really happy for them because I'm going to be doing the same thing when I get 75, 80 years old," Karratti said.

Added Valentine: "I admire them. It's kind of inspirational. I use that as my guide. These guys, they don't lose the spirit."