Softball: White Sox face male pitchers in practice

The New Zealand women's softball team have been taking on male pitchers to help them prepare for August's world championships in China.

Coach Mike Walsh said today the speed of the male pitchers that the White Sox are facing in training will be similar to what they will encounter against the top teams at the world champs.

"The reason we are facing male pitchers now is so that when we get to China while the pitching we face will be good it won't surprise our hitters."

The White Sox assemble in Auckland for a five-day training camp beginning this weekend.

Sixteen teams will contest the world championships with New Zealand drawn in the section containing defending champions the United States, China, Canada, Italy, South Africa, Korea and Great Britain.

The first goal for the White Sox will be to qualify in the top four in their section allowing them to move through to the top eight championship playoffs.

"There will be no easy games and we have a tough section but that is to be expected giving our seeding," Walsh said.

"We will be emphasising with the team the need to look at our opposition not as a threat but as a challenge we can't hide from," he said.

Squad:

Pitchers -- Michelle Kingi (Counties), Michal Tangaroa (Hawke's Bay), Ali Arnold (US-based). Pitcher/Utility - Sheree Cartwright (Canterbury). Catchers - Cindy Potae (Hutt Valley), Carmelle Sorensen (Canterbury). Infield - Fiona Timu, captain, (Auckland), Shirley Povey (Hutt Valley), Tianna Areaiiti (Southland), Nadia Mauriohooho (Hutt Valley), Amanda Preston (Auckland), Upu Lote (Hutt Valley). Outfield - Melanie Hulme (Canterbury), Melisa Upu (Hutt Valley), Ngamoko Hiku (North Harbour), Kalala Gabriel (Auckland).

Utility - Maleme Williams (North Harbour).

- NZPA