Kinley Rasmus, a 12‑year‑old left‑hander from Phenix City, Alabama, will step onto the iconic field in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, as the 25th girl ever to compete in the Little League World Series.
Her fastball and poise on the mound have drawn praise from coaches and teammates alike, but the source of her talent runs deep in a family that has long been intertwined with baseball and softball.
A Family Rooted in Sports
Jill Rasmus, Kinley’s mother, starred at the University of Southern Mississippi, where she started 29 games at shortstop as a junior and posted a .317 batting average with 37 RBIs and 53 hits, including 13 doubles, a triple and seven home runs.
Cory Rasmus, Kinley’s father, is a former Major League pitcher whose professional career gave the youngster an early apprenticeship in the mechanics of pitching.
The Rasmus household also includes Jeff Mathis, a 16‑year MLB catcher who spent his career with the Los Angeles Angels, and Colby Rasmus, who enjoyed a nine‑year big‑league stint before moving into coaching.
From Alabama’s Riverfront to Williamsport’s Global Stage
Phenix City’s rise from a community once associated with crime to a contender on the world’s smallest baseball stage is a narrative that has captured local attention. The team will meet the East Side Little Leaguers from West Chester, Pennsylvania, on August 24 at 6 p.m., a matchup that pits two towns with very different histories against each other.
Beyond the scoreboard, Kinley’s participation signals a broader shift in youth baseball, where girls are increasingly given the platform to showcase their abilities alongside boys in a traditionally male‑dominated sport.
The Rasmus Legacy in Numbers
The family’s athletic pedigree is underscored by concrete statistics: Jill’s .317 average and 53 hits in college, Jeff’s 16 seasons behind the plate in the majors, and Colby’s nine‑year MLB career. Each milestone adds a layer to the story of a family that has consistently turned athletic promise into professional achievement.