Casley lives his dream playing on US circuit

When Rhys Casley first ventured to the United States to play softball he wasn't "quite old enough to get into bars".

Now 32, Casley has just returned from his latest US stint, this time with Chicago New York.

During his 10 years in the States, the Black Sox captain regularly squares off against familiar faces in the diamond.

This year Pat Shannon and Travis Wilson were on his team and in the ISC (International Softball Congress) world final they locked horns with fellow Black Sox players Ben Enoka, Brad Rona and Bernie Hale.

Casley loves it so much, he is already thinking about returning next year.

"Just being exposed to that level of softball was really quite exciting.

"I always looked forward to playing when I wasn't in the New Zealand team with guys who were in it and guys who were on the Canadian or American teams.

"I'll definitely be open to playing another season over there but I'll probably have to have my family with me this time.

"I've got two young kids so it gets quite hard being without them for extended periods of time."

Casley is enjoying spending time with his wife and children in Wainuiomata where he also owns and operates a building business with his father.

His next softball assignment is just three weeks away when the Hutt Valley Dodgers kickoff another season, then follow international commitments. Casley said the up-and-coming series with Australia in December would be good preparation for the next world championships in Auckland in 2013.

"It's another step towards 2013 for us.

"We'll be trying to keep on going with some of the systems we've put in place on our North American tour last year so we're all working towards that 2013 mark. They [Australia] are the world champions right now, they beat us in the finals in 2009.

"It's going to be tough but we're looking forward to it."

- © Fairfax NZ News