Q & A with Hoofddporp Pionier's  Shane Gnade

Q  From Pioniers (Holland) to Orkas (Venezuela), how was to play in Venezuela?

A   I had a great time in Venezuela. It was a big difference to play in Venezuela because it's pro ball overthere. The batters and pitchers are way better than in Holland. They hit with much power and pitcher's speed is higher. Pitchers are not afraid to pitch inside at high speed and ofcourse there is more experience because of the everyday game schedule. My first weeks were really hard because we practiced everyday and after practice we went to play the games.

                  
 
Q   The Bullpen routine in Venezuela was different for you?

A   For me it was not a big different.
 
Q   Best moment in Liga Paralela?

A   There are a lot of best moments for me. But I think my first start was one of the best.
 
Q   How was your day by day in the Liga Paralela, how many practice days do you have in the week?

A   We had only 1 day off during the week, so practice and game are scheduled 6 days a week. On 7 am you must be ready on the right field line to workout with the trainer and later your normal practice routine. After that to the douches and hit the road if your playing away, otherwise you wait after practice for the visitor team. For pitchers it was different, we did long toss, bullpen and running if you were not on the roster for that day or the day after tomorrow.

                

Q   Any time for a day off?, any special place you went to?

A   The league schedule allows you only to have 1 day off a week after 6 hard worked days, something you can ask an extra day and wait to see if your pitching coach thinks is ok or you don't get the permission because you need to workout more to fix something, but in generally we went to the beaches (nice white sand and clear water) and other nice places in Venezuela.

Q   Would you be back next winter to the Orkas and why?

A   For sure, I had a great time overthere and I want to play baseball on high level again.
 
Q   Do you feel any better in your day by day performance after Orkas last year?

A   I can feel the difference in pitching before and after Orkas. I can see it in my stats too, its way better than before Orkas.