Yeung Kar-sing is not a typical elderly person. He has a passion for softball - a passion that has been part of him for nearly 60 years is still an inseparable and motivating force in his life, even though he is more than 80 years old. Having devoted most of his life to the sport, Yeung is an icon of Hong Kong softball. He was an outstanding player and an excellent coach and he is still contributing to the development of softball in Hong Kong.
Yeung started playing baseball baseball in 1936 after watching some American sailors playing the game at Happy Valley. At that time, the sport was barely taking root in Hong Kong and equipment was very expensive.

When he first learned to play the game, he was forced to play with bamboo poles and tennis balls in the street. It was a tough life for a budding baseball player.
He soon got his break when he joined the "Young Companion" baseball team. After some impressive performance on the baseball diamond, he was scouted to join a softball team as a left field in 1938.
His greatest achievement came there years later when he represented China and helped them to an outstanding victory in the Hong Kong Men's international Baseball Tournament.
Yeung continued to produce brilliant performances in Hong Kong and was one of the rare local players who emerged with distinction in a sport dominated by foreigners.
Yeung says it was his determination to win that helped him succeed as a player. "In those days when I was still a player, I had only one thing in mind: to win in every match. It is the spirit of sport to pursure excellent that made me so dedicated to the sport. Nowadays, people's attitudes have changed. They usually take up the sport for leisure."
Yeung retired form playing in 1958 but in no way was hhe lost to the sport. He was soon because an honorary coach for SCAA Men's Softball Team.

If his playing achievem,ents were impressive, his coaching credits were equally brilliant.
In 1961, Yeung took charge of the South China "Blue"girls junior team , which progressed under his guidance and eventually became the "Gold" team.
Indeed, his greatest coaching achievements involved this team, which he led to the Hong Kong League title 12 years in a row, starting in 1962.
He ended his stint with SCAA in 1976 and started working for the Hong Kong Softball Association (HKSA), which he served until 1995. During his tenure with the HKSA as an administrative assistant, he did a lot to put the HKSA house in order; and obtained considerable contributions for the association to install a floodlighting system.

Yeung admits that his formula for being a successful coach is a simple one - ensure his players are hard-working and dedicated to the cause.
"I always tell the players that uniform does not make a good player. Hard-working and dedication are the only ways to become skillful," he said.
Yeung lists five factors that are essential to being a good athlete: punctuality, dedication, obedience to the coach, watch as many matches as possible to familiarise oneself with different styles and habits of opponents and, finally, continual hard training.
Now, Yeung still involves in the HKSA playing an advisory role. He is also the League game supervisor at the Shek Kip Mei Service Reservoir Playground assuring the smooth running of all scheduled games each week. Something has been doing for 209 years.
He is a constant fixture at the Playground at weekends during the League season, which runs from September to July.

The commitment he has shown to the sport has also become a legacy woth his daughter and grandson inheriting Yeung's passion for the sport.
Yeung's daughter, Bik-shan, was an outstanding player in the 1960-70s. His grandson, Leung Man-on, who was trained by Yeung himself, played the game when he was child and once even played alongside his grandfather.
"I'm really proud the achievements of my daughter and my grandson," he said.
"I'm also proud to be the only family in Hong Kong in which three generations have played softball."
In 1989, Yeung and around 20 other softball enthusiasts organised an elderly " Old Crocks" team, which held annual games with their elderly counterparts from Guangzhou.

"I have been playing softball for more than 60 years," he said. " I still make every endeavour for the development of the game. It is actually part of my life. I'll continue my work at the Skep Kip Mei Service Reservoir Playground until I'm too old to do so."
Yeung takes heart from the fact that modern players need not go through the difficulties that he had when he first tool up the game.
"I'm happy to see that softball is becoming a popular sport among youngsters, especially the university students. Nowadays, there are around 90 softball teams in Hong Kong, each made up of 15 players."
They may be young and he may be in his 80s, but Yeung is still as competitive as ever.
"I'm still young at heart," he said. "I keep competing with youngsters and believe that I can beat them."