Fast arm to propel this Angel to the top

Ruta Houkamau is part of the new breed of players who have the potential to change the softball landscape.

At 15 she can already boast an endorsement by members of Softball New Zealand thanks to her fast pitching and versatility around the field.

"She throws the ball hard and that's what you need at that age," Softball New Zealand's national director of pitching, Debbie Mygind, told the Daily Post.

"She's got a fast arm and a fast spin ... if she keeps on at it and keeps enjoying it she's got great potential."

Mygind said Houkamau was initially bought to her attention last year following a Rotorua-hosted coaching clinic lead by national director of coaching Naomi Shaw and regional coaching co-ordinator Jarrad Martin.

Mygind said at the time Houkamau was pitching around 86km/h as a 13-year-old and showed a lot of potential due to her willingness to play anywhere on the diamond.

Mygind managed to see her in action for Rotorua at the U15 tournament in Hamilton last year and was disappointed to learn Rotorua would not be attending age-group nationals this year.

Determined to see her in action once again, Mygind put her in touch with North Harbour to play at the U17 nationals.

Houkamau enjoyed one game as pitcher before playing left outfield.

Houkamau has played softball since she was 11 years old after being introduced to the game by her father Alex, a recently retired baseman for Buzzards and player of the game for 30 years.

The bubbly teenager, who also excels on the basketball and netball courts and played representative women's rugby for Bay of Plenty, said even though she prefers playing short stop, she has found success on the mound.

In previous years Houkamau has enjoyed hit-outs on the diamond for the Rotorua U15, U17 and U19 teams, and in this year's Rotorua Softball Association's senior competition she was selected number one pitcher for Rotovegas Angels, a new team made up of players from last year's Ngati Hinekura, Mitchells and Owhata United teams.

"We all communicate well and are always there for each other," she said of her teammates.

Houkamau is one of a handful of exciting players in the Rotovegas Angels team, many of whom also made themselves available for the U17 nationals including Yvonne Ngamoki who was picked up by Hawke's Bay.

Kiri Wilson, who shares coaching responsibilities of the girls alongside Colin Ngamoki, said she was very lucky to guide the fortunes of such talented players.

She said the majority of the team, who also play for Rotorua Lakes High School, have represented Rotorua in age-group teams while Millie Timoti also shines on the golf course and hockey turf, having been selected for the U19 New Zealand Maori golf team and the U21 New Zealand Maori hockey team.

"We're really lucky, they're a great bunch of talented girls with big futures if they stick with the game," she said.

Despite being new to the the RSA competition, the Rotovegas Angels have proved their worth, winning all games to date.

On Saturday they thrashed Waikite Valley 23-3 before recording a narrow 8-7 win over Buzzards, meaning they are now level with competition leaders Waiohau.

* In other games: Waiohau 14, Buzzards 4; Fordlands 13, MSM Magic 12; Buzzards 5, Tarewa Giants 4; Rota Vegas 23, Waikite 3; Waiohau 16, Hakuna Matata 2; Tarewa Giants 3, MSM Magic 11; Waikite 7, Whaka 0; Whaka 0, Waikite 7; Hakuna Matata 7, Whaka 0; Fordlands 21, MSM Mavericks 7; Matata 0, Waiohau 10; Rota Vegas 8, Buzzards 7.