Chris Masse on LLWS: Kinley Rasmus became best girl to ever play at Series
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A year ago, Kinley Rasmus tore up the Little League all-star competition, displaying a five-tool arsenal which helped Phenix City, Alabama capture its first state championship since 2015 and reach the Southeast Regional Tournament.
When Phenix City reached Warner Robins, Georgia, this reporter figured she would blow up like a rock star if Rasmus and her teammates reached South Williamsport.
Well, she has. It just took a year. Ramsus and seven teammates shined on that team as 11-year-olds and laid the foundation for this year's fabulous success which culminated with a fourth-place U.S. finish at the Little League World Series.
And now Rasmus has gone beyond international star. She has simply become the GOAT. She is, indisputably, the best girl to ever play at the Little League World Series. And she is one of the best players at this year's Series, period.
"It feels amazing," Rasmus said. "I just want to keep inspiring these little girls that want to be on this stage one day."
She has and she does.
Rasmus broke the Series record for hits (5) Tuesday in a 4-2 win against Washington, joined Mo'ne Davis as the only girl to earn a pitching win at the Series, dominating against Pennsylvania, reached base in every game and drove in runs in three straight. An excellent shortstop as well, Rasmus hit .455, reached base in every game and compiled a .571 on-base percentage. She also scored three times.
Oh yeah, Rasmus also pitched better than even Davis, who took the world by storm at the 2014 Series. Rasmus threw 10 1/3 scoreless innings here, allowing just three hits and tying Davis's 14 strikeouts. Rasmus also tied Davis's single-game record for strikeouts (8) and surpassed Stella Weaver for the all-time hits lead Tuesday afternoon.
The girl who wears the bow in her hair certainly has caused all opponents to "Fear the Bow." That alone speaks to what Rasmus has achieved. It's not just that this is a girl playing baseball great.
This is a great baseball player who just happens to be a girl.
"Every day is like a record or tying a record. Now they'll be talking about breaking Kinley's records in the future," Rasmus's uncle and Phenix City manager Case Rasmus said. "To be able to be with Mo'ne Davis, that name is humongous, so it's an incredible honor for her.
"She's one of the top 3 players here, regardless of her gender. I'm glad she's on our side, so we don't have to play against her. Regardless of the outcome, she's going to give you everything she has just like every single one of the kids on our team."
Davis earned the Sports Illustrated cover after shutting out Tennessee in her Series debut 12 years ago. Weaver earned kudos for her stellar average at the 2023 Series. Rasmus essentially is a hybrid of those players. Where they excelled in certain facets, Rasmus shines in every aspect.
She has hit .500 since regionals, thrown 18 2/3 scoreless innings during that time and struck out 26. After throwing a three-hit shutout against Tennessee in the Southeast Final, Rasmus fired six scoreless innings in her Series debut against Washington. She then provided 4 2/3 scoreless innings against Pennsylvania, earning the win.
Rasmus runs the bases like a deer, hit to all fields and exhibited a swing which would make some Major Leaguers envious. So feared was Rasmus in Warner Robins that opponents intentionally walked her three times.
It's no stretch saying that there is nothing on the field, Rasmus cannot do. And that's not just sportswriters saying it.
"She was super impressive. I don't think the story is as much that she's a girl pitching. I think it's just that she's a phenomenal pitcher," Washington manager Kyle Yarbrough said after Rasmus threw six innings of one-hit baseball against it. "I have nothing but goo things to say about her. She's a competitor out there."
Baseball is in Rasmus's blood. Her father Cory pitched in the majors and uncle Colby played there as well. Her grandfather, Tony Rasmus, played Minor League baseball as did Case. So, Rasmus basically has grown up on the baseball field.
Still, her dominance is more defined by old-fashioned work than good genes. Rasmus loves the game; loves the grind. Case Rasmus has watched his niece excel since she first started playing but even if they were not related, he knows a special player when he sees one.
He knew Kinley was just that long ago. She has spent the last few years validating that belief.
"Obviously, she's an incredible baseball player for a girl. She's so fun to watch. There's a fine line between the being one of the best girls to ever player here kind of deal but I think she's one of the best players to ever play here in general," Case Rasmus said. "She's the most perfect player you can ask for. She gets after it. She's a dog. She's tough as nails."
It has been this way since Rasmus started flourishing on a 9U Phenix City team which captured the USSSA Rec League World Series. She has continued improving each season and now the world is learning what Phenix City has known for a long time.
This kid can play. Doing so on this stage has made Rasmus the superstar her uncle predicted. He told her she could become the Shohei Ohtani of Little League if she had a good Series performance.
That is exactly what happened. "Fear the Bow" likely will soon by copyrighted and interview requests have poured in from ESPN to Good Morning America. Davis and Weaver received similar treatment and the tie that binds them all together goes beyond baseball.
More aptly it goes to who all they are as people. Like Davis and Weaver, Rasmus has remained humble, selfless and gracious as the intense spotlight has grown brighter. That's hard for an adult, let alone a 12-year-old who has never experienced anything like this.
Rasmus is beloved by her teammates, coaches and community. She is expected to play varsity for the high school flag football and softball teams this upcoming school year and both teams made the trip to Warner Robins to cheer Rasmus on at regionals.
Take away all the gaudy stats and that seemingly universal support. And that speaks volumes. She's a girl but, to borrow a sporting team, Rasmus also is just one of the guys.
"I'm so grateful for this opportunity. I couldn't be here without my teammates," Rasmus said. "They've been with me this whole ride and I'm just so grateful for him.
"She's rock solid. She's a leader. We just have some kids on this team that lead no matter what no matter the situation," Case Rasmus said. "They know we're going to make mistakes, but they step up and they lead when it matters most. She's one of them. Our kids love her to death."
So does America.
The stardom Rasmus is earning will not soon go away. She likely will be invited to various talk shows, events like the ESPY's and will be talked about for years. Her gender has not defined Rasmus. Her amazing play has and that makes Rasmus another trail blazer knocking down barriers society long ago built.
Rasmus has showed future female players what is possible. It's not an opinion calling her the best girl to ever play at the Series. It's a fact and her play and stats validate it. More than that, she is simply one of the world's best players.
As far as Little League goes, Rasmus's legacy will not just be what she did, but how she did it. A girl who seeks to inspire is doing that in a huge way. Just look at all the younger girls wearing bows in their hair at the Phenix City games.
Don't expect that to change following the Series either. Many are now dreaming of being the next Kinley Ramsus.
The thing is, there is only one Kinley Rasmus. What an unforgettable legacy she has left at the Series.
"She wants to inspire anybody and everybody," Case Rasmus said. "She's an incredible human being."
Chris Masse is a sports reporter at the Sun-Gazette. He can be reached by email at cmasse@sungazette.com. Follow him on Twitter/X at @docmasse.