Page 15 - MidWeek - Feb 15, 2023

FEBRUARY 15, 2023 MIDWEEK 15
She’s Making Her Pitch And Living Life Fully
FROM PAGE 14
ny to look back because it’s definitely a defining learning experience for me, and any- one else can learn from me that people are going to doubt you at every single level of your journey, but it’s up to you whether you come out on top or not. Every single time I was doubted — and every single time I proved everyone wrong.”
(Left) When she suited up for the University of California, Berkeley, Kamalani Dung always made it a point to bring the heat. (Right) The Kamehameha Schools’ alumna basks in a golden moment with the Puerto Rican National Team at the Central American Games in 2018. PHOTOS COURTESY KAMALANI DUNG
local organizations to offer coaching and mentorship for keiki and guidance for par- ents, as well as sports camps statewide. In its current form, it’s built for softball players, but Dung hopes to eventually open it up to young athletes across all sports.
There’s always going to be people rooting for you. Find those people, take the cards you’ ve been dealt and play them as best as you can.”
In her freshman year, the Bulldogs won the Mountain West Conference, and in her sophomore year, she was named Mountain West Pitcher of the Year and placed in the top 20 in almost every major pitching category in the coun- try. When Ford left the school, so did Dung, who, thanks to her devotion to the sport and accolades to show for it, had her pick of the litter — a far cry from just two years prior when she joined a team as a late recruit.
that’s a step in the right direc- tion for all softball players and female athletes. I think the key for me is using my experience to help the next generation of girls to see that they can use sports as a vessel for whatever it is they want to do. I know some people are full sports and some people go into business or creative arts, but my goal is to show people that you can do all of it.”
“If I didn’t have a coach here and there to lend me a pair of shoes, give me a glove, tell me the correct tournament to go to, I don’t know where I would’ ve end- ed up. My life would’ve been a lot different,” says Dung. “I’ m thankful that softball worked out for me, and if I can be that person who can give back and change the life of one kid, then hopefully they can do the same for one kid once they get to the point that I’ve gotten to now.
A lot has happened since Dung’s early days on the softball field. Looking back, she wouldn’t change a thing, because every swing and miss led her to where she is today. And, it made her all the more prepared to help butterfly chasers like herself throw a perfect pitch of their own.
“It was definitely hum- bling, an awesome experi- ence and super stressful,” says Dung with a laugh.
has competed in world cups across the globe (Japan and Canada are among her favor- ite places to visit).
in the women’s profession- al softball league, Athletes Unlimited.
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Dung has been busy running a marketing firm, planning a philanthropic foundation, modeling, acting and oper- ating her business, Kama Training. She’s out to prove that she can wear many hats — not just a softball visor.
“The advice I would give (to young girls) is don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. I’m living tes- timony that hard work, ded- ication and showing up for opportunities is something that will pay off. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have the resources, just take what you have and go from there.
After factoring in the im- portance of education, Dung transferred to University of California, Berkeley, where she graduated with a bach- elor’s in sociology with an emphasis in business.
“It’s just so crazy to me to think that all of this came from playing softball, and it started from that one day at the park when someone gave me a shot,” she says.
“It’s a really innovative league that’s on ESPN and CBS Sports that’s making waves for female sports in general,” explains Dung. “It’s kind of based on fantasy sports, so every single thing you do results in money. So every pitch, every hit, every inning is all translated into a cash payout in the end de- pending on how well you do.”
nd, as they say, the best way to lead is by example. Lately,
“I got the best of both worlds — playing in the Pac- 12, which was the conference of champions, and then also attending a school that I never would’ve thought of attending out of high school,” she says.
“Puerto Rico is interest- ing; it reminds me of Ha- wai‘i,” adds Dung, whose baseball-loving Puerto Rican grandfather was a big influ- ence in her life. “I’d say that it’s maybe a little underdevel- oped in terms of the city and the structures, but overall, the people, culture and communi- ty are super rich, and every- one is so supportive.”
On being a female athlete, Dung says, “I’ m definite- ly thankful to be part of the people paving the way for the next generation.
“A ton of athletes are say- ing that I’ ve inspired them to embody more than what- ever sport they are. My goal istobewhateverIcan—a businesswoman, model, ath- lete, and just live it out fully. Whatever I can handle on my plate, I’ m taking it right now,” she says, smiling.
Next came the big leagues. In 2018, Dung joined the Puerto Rican National Team, which went on to win a gold medal for the first time in two decades at the Central Amer- ican Games in 2018, a bronze medal at the Pan-American
As of today, Dung is still an active member of the team, but only competes in primary tournaments so she can live in Hawai‘i for most of the year. In 2020, she was also drafted to play
“I’ m going to have to ask them for a check when 10 years down the line they start getting their huge payouts,” she jokes.
Dung feels most fulfilled when she’s working with the pro softball players of tomor- row through Kama Training, a biz that collaborates with
15Championship in 2019, and
“Athletes Unlimited is a huge one right now because it’s getting national coverage —everygameisonTV—so
(Top) The Mākaha native made an appearance at the 64th annual Grammy Awards in Las Vegas in 2022, sporting a lavish outfit from Kini Zamora. (Above) When she’s not playing in a world championship, Kamalani Dung is teaching the next generation of Hawai‘i softball players.
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