Kinley Rasmus is making history in more ways than one. The 12-year-old shortstop and pitcher for Phenix City, Alabama, tied the Little League Baseball World Series record for total strikeouts by a girl and then broke the record for most total hits by a girl with her fifth of the tournament.
The daughter of former MLB pitcher Cory Rasmus, Kinley is one of two girls competing in this year's tournament and is part of the rare group of girls that have played in the LLWS. Little League's Girls With Game initiative aims to increase participation in the program, which the league says will provide equal opportunities for girls by 2032.
Here are more facts about girls in the LLWS.
How long have girls been allowed to play?
Girls have been allowed to play in the Little League World Series since 1974, coinciding with the creation of the Little League Softball program.
Who was the first girl to play in the LLBWS?
Victoria Roche played for Brussels, Belgium, in 1984.
How many girls have played in the LLBWS?
As of 2026, 26 girls have played in the tournament.
Which girls have played in the LLBWS throughout history?
2026: Carsynn Meyer, Paseo Verde Little League (Henderson, Nevada); Kinley Rasmus, Phenix City (Alabama) Youth Baseball Little League
2025: Monica Arcruri, Brisbane North Region Little League (Brisbane, Queensland)
2024: Emma Gainsford, Hills Little League (Sydney, South Wales)
2023: Stella Weaver, Nolensville (Tennessee) Little League
2022: Falynn Randall, Snow Canyon Little League (Santa Clara, Utah)
2021: Ella Bruning, Wylie Little League (Abilene, Texas)
2019: Maddy Freking, Coon Rapids Andover (Minnesota) Little League
2014: Mo'ne Davis, Taney Youth Baseball Association Little League (Philadelphia); Emma March, South Vancouver Little League (British Columbia, Canada)
2013: Eliska Stejsklova, South Moravia (Czech Republic) Little League
2009: Bryn Stonehouse, Arabian American Little League (Dhahran, Saudi Arabia); Katie Reyes (Hastings Community Little League (Vancouver)
2008: Brielle Meno, Southern Guam Little League (Yona, Guam)
2004: Alexandra Bellini, East Nepean Little League (Ottawa); Meghan Sims, Owensboro (Kentucky) Southern Little League
2003: Merced Flores, Central Little League (Agana, Guam)
2002: Sanoe Aina, Waipio Little League (Waipahu, Hawaii)
2001: Tatiana Maltseva, Khovrino Little League (Moscow, Russia)
1999: Alicia Hunolt, Ramstein Little League (Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany)
1998: Sayaka Tsushima, Kashima Little League (Ibaraki, Japan)
1994: Krissy Wendell, Brooklyn Center (Minnesota) American Little League
1991: Giselle Hardy, Arabian American Little League (Dhahran, Saudi Arabia)
1990: Kelly Craig, Trail Little League (British Columbia, Canada)
1989: Victoria Brucker, Eastview Little League (San Pedro, California)
1984: Victoria Roche, Brussels (Belgium) Little League
