From the Dugout blog, cap tip Venita Hokai
Zane Siolo
Team:
New Zealand : Hutt Valley Cardinals
America : Topeka Toros, KSSoftball in America in comparison to New Zealand is a more aggressive style of play. Its more hit in runs rather than manufacture runs, which has it’s benefits but also it’s weaknesses. Generally I haven’t found myself pitching against teams who play the short game a lot or well. There seems to be a general mentality that big hits win games, which as a pitcher is interesting for me because it changes the way I throw to hitters in comparison to New Zealand. Junk pitches seem to be more successful, like a curve and change as most hitters are looking for hard pitches to swing away on. I’ve also found a good rise ball really helps here as a lot of players here have either retired from baseball or grown up playing it and aren’t used to balls going up.
This is my 2nd year in America and I am really enjoying the lifestyle here. I’m living in Topeka, Kansas, which gets very hot in Summer. Last year the hottest tournament reached 44 Degrees Celsius! I am currently playing for the Topeka Toros, who placed 2nd last year in the ISC II Division. I enjoy playing with the Toros as it feels like family when I play with them which gives me the drive to improve and develop as a pitcher.
My 23 under faced him last year in Rockford and he pitches just as he told you here, good read