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Kinley Rasmus gets spotlight for her talents, not just because she’s a girl

By Chris Masse 6 min read

The strong arm, quick bat and blazing speed all shine through. One look makes it clear. This person is a dynamic player.

Kinley Rasmus also is a girl.

But does it matter? Sure, Rasmus already is receiving rock-star status after dominating the Southeast Regional and helping Phenix City, Alabama reach the Little League World Series. After throwing a three-hit shutout against Tennessee in the regional championship, Rasmus was trending on Twitter/X just five minutes later.

Her gender makes Rasmus stand out, following the likes of Mo'ne Davis and Stella Weaver at the Series in recent years. Still, forget all that. It is not Rasmus being a girl which brings attention her way.

It simply is the way Rasmus plays. Few this summer have done it better.

"Her game speaks for itself. That's the beauty of it. You don't have to say one word. Just watch her play and you go, 'Oh yeah, she's different,'" Phenix City manager and Rasmus's uncle, Case Rasmus said. "Whether it's catching a flyball or charging a slow roller; hitting a fastball, hitting a curveball, pounding the strike zone you just see it all stand out. There are so many things she does that anyone who has followed baseball can look at and know that she's a high-level player."

She certainly is.

Part of a well-rounded group which came together six years ago and started making headlines when it captured the 2023 USSSA Rec League World Series title, Rasmus has developed into a serious five-tool weapon. There are great genes in the family with father Cory playing in the Majors, and Case and her grandfather Tony both playing in the Minors. Cory and Colby also played at the Series in 1999 when Tony coached and Phenix City captured the U.S. Championship, dethroning defending world champion Toms River, New Jersey.

What Rasmus, however, does goes far beyond DNA. It's a mix of big-time talent and relentless work which have brought Rasmus to worldwide prominence the last two weeks. There is a reason many say "fear the bow," when Rasmus plays.

The 12-year-old wears a bow in her hair but again, it is the performances she delivers which generates more attention than the fashion accessory. The world started seeing that as Southeast Region games were broadcast last August. There, Rasmus threw a five-hitter with eight strikeouts in a first-round win at age 11. Earlier that summer, she also hit a walk-off home run in a state tournament victory.

Instead of growing complacent, Rasmus went back to the lab and continued improving. Also an elite flag football player who will play varsity as a seventh grader for Columbia High School, the country's top-ranked program next year, Rasmus grew stronger and faster. She has unleashed that arsenal all summer and, starting at Warner Robins in regionals, Rasmus really burst onto the world stage.

"She is a tremendous player," Ohio manager Tim Nichting said. "She's fun to watch."

"She's an absolute stud. Anything you ask a player to do, she can do it," Phenix City Youth Baseball President Mike Green said. "When you say someone is 'It', she's 'It.'"

No one at regionals would disagree. There, Rasmus put everything together; excelled in all areas and helped her team overpower four straight outstanding opponents. Rasmus did not allow a run in nine innings, throwing in the low 70s, scattering four hits and striking out 13.

In that capacity, she conjured up images of Davis, the best female pitcher in Series history. But Rasmus may be an even better shortstop and/or hitter than a pitcher which speaks volumes. Like Weaver, she runs like a deer but also hits with more power, batting .750 at regionals with a double, two Rbis, four runs, four walks and three steals.

So feared was Rasmus that Tennessee twice intentionally walked her in the final despite dynamic No. 3 hitter Urijah Berklite waiting behind her to inflict damage. That backfired as well with Berklite reaching base both times and hitting an RBI single.

"She can hit the stuffing out of ball and rips the seams off. She can play. She does it all," Green said. "She's going to get on base one way or other and do damage."

Rasmus often is at her best in the biggest moments, staying cool when the heat is turned up. But that masks a raging competitive fire which seemingly cannot be quenched. She is expected to transition to softball next year and again play varsity as a seventh grader for a terrific high school program, but Rasmus is leaving quite a mark on the baseball field.

The world is seeing the finished product these days but those around Phenix City have enjoyed watching the effort which has defined Rasmus since she first played a game. Glory comes with a price and Rasmus gladly pays it, playing both tenacious and fearless.

Not that anyone will hear Rasmus toot that horn. She possesses a we over me mentality and is happiest not with personal stats but by doing whatever it takes to help her team win. Phenix City has done that a lot, repeating as state champions and now becoming the first Alabama team to play at the Series since that 1999 Phenix City team.

There is a reason so many future flag football and softball teammates from Columbia attended the Southeast championship drove to Warner Robins and cheered Rasmus on. It's not just that she plays great, but how Rasmus plays which excites so many.

"Her mental toughness is remarkable. She has a smile on her face but inside her is a fire that no one is going to match," Green said. "She's had great leadership and mentorship from her parents. She is from a baseball family and they don't let up on her because she is a girl and she wouldn't want it that way."

Humble, yet hungry, Rasmus has performed as well with media attention as she has an opposing batter or a grounder hit toward the hole. Davis and Weaver are the latest females to take the Series by storm, but while Rasmus has elements of their games in hers, she also is her own player.

Look at her resume. She also is one of the world's best. And now she continues blazing a trail reminding the world that there are no boundaries when it comes to playing this game.

She is only 12, but Rasmus already is becoming a role model.

"I remember when Colby and Cory were there (in 1999) and all the girls were coming up to them and wanting their autograph and wanting to hang out with them," Case Rasmus said. "Now the girls will be swarming around Kinley, too, but it's because they are going to want to follow in her footsteps."

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