Girls with Game LLWS 2026: Kinley Rasmus and Carsynn Meyer Make History in Williamsport
Kinley Rasmus and Carsynn Meyer made history together at the 2026 LLWS. Kinley represents the Southeast Region from Phenix City, Alabama. Carsynn represents the Mountain Region from Henderson, Nevada. They became the 25th and 26th girls to compete at the event. They are also the first two girls from US-only teams in the same LLWS.
Their presence continues a tradition that Victoria Roche started back in 1984. Roche became the first girl to compete in the LLWS from Brussels, Belgium. Over 40 years of Girls with Game history links her debut to Kinley and Carsynn. Both players took the field at Williamsport in August 2026, carrying that history forward.
Kinley Rasmus, Southeast Region
Kinley Rasmus
Phenix City Youth Baseball Little League · Phenix City, Alabama · Southeast Region | |
| Age | 12 |
| Position | P / SS |
| Bats / Throws | R / R |
| Girls with Game No. | 25th |
| Game 2 Record | 8 Ks vs Northwest, tied Mo’ne Davis record |
| Family Legacy | Dad and Uncle played 1999 LLWS |
Kinley plays shortstop and pitches as a right-handed pitcher for the Southeast Region champions. Her father, Cory Rasmus pitched in the majors and played in the 1999 LLWS. Her uncle Colby Rasmus played 10 seasons as an MLB outfielder and also played in the 1999 LLWS. Both made the same trip to Williamsport 27 years before Kinley earned her own.
Kinley’s path to Williamsport runs through family at every level. Uncle Case Rasmus manages her Phenix City team this year. Cousin Ryker Rasmus plays alongside her on the 2026 roster. Uncle Jeff Mathis and grandfather Tony Rasmus both played professional baseball. No other LLWS player in 2026 carries this many family ties to the professional game.
I play Little League in hopes of making it to the World Series in Williamsport, as my Dad and Uncle Colby did in 1999. “Kinley Rasmus, in her Pre-Region Tournament Questionnaire“
Kinley helped Phenix City win a second straight Alabama state title. She struck out 8 batters in Game 2 against Washington at Williamsport. That performance tied Mo’ne Davis’ LLWS record for strikeouts by a girl. She pitched again in Game 16 and Alabama beat California 12-2. Alabama stayed alive in the tournament thanks to that dominant run-rule win.
Kinley off the field: She plays flag football and softball competitively, enjoys swimming and time at the lake, and lists Caitlin Clark as her favorite athlete. Texas is her favorite sports team. She hopes to become an orthodontist. Her pregame routine is refreshingly straightforward: chew bubble gum before first pitch.
Carsynn Meyer, Mountain Region
Carsynn Meyer
Paseo Verde Little League · Henderson, Nevada · Mountain Region | |
| Age | 12 |
| Nickname | CarCar |
| Position | OF / C (left fielder) |
| Girls with Game No. | 26th |
| Jersey No. | 16, worn for Andrew Benintendi |
| Bats / Throws | R / R |
Carsynn plays outfield and catcher for Paseo Verde LL. She came
to Williamsport twice in 2026, first in June as a participant
in the 2026 Maria Pepe Little League Baseball Legacy Series,
a Girls with Game experience, and then again in August after
earning her spot with Paseo Verde through the Mountain Regional
Tournament. | |
Carsynn is unique among the 2026 Girls with Game in that she came to Williamsport months before the LLWS began. The Maria Pepe Legacy Series brought Girls with Game from across the US and around the world to Williamsport for a weekend of baseball development and community. Carsynn was selected for the third annual event. Two months later, she earned her way back as an LLWS player.
To play with my friends, have fun, and get better. “Carsynn Meyer on why she plays Little League“
Playing with all the boys I’ve played with for years. “Carsynn Meyer on her favorite part of Little League“
Carsynn off the field: She chose jersey number 16 because of Andrew Benintendi, her favorite baseball player, and his number during his time in Kansas City. The Kansas City Royals are her favorite team. Her role model is Las Vegas basketball star Kelsey Plum. Carsynn bakes and boats in her free time, competes in basketball and flag football, and dreams of becoming a professional athlete.
The Rasmus Family Baseball Legacy
No family at the 2026 LLWS matches the baseball legacy of the Rasmus family. Their history covers four generations and two decades of MLB service. Cory, Colby, Jeff, Case, and Tony all played at the professional level. Ryker and Kinley now carry that legacy forward at Williamsport. Together they form the most decorated baseball family in Phenix City history.
| Family Member | Relation to Kinley | Baseball Career | LLWS Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tony Rasmus | Grandfather | Minor league player | None directly |
| Cory Rasmus | Father | MLB pitcher | 1999 LLWS, Phenix City |
| Colby Rasmus | Uncle | MLB outfielder, 10 seasons | 1999 LLWS, Phenix City |
| Jeff Mathis | Uncle | MLB catcher | No LLWS connection listed |
| Case Rasmus | Uncle | Minor league player | Manager of Kinley’s 2026 team |
| Ryker Rasmus | Cousin | Active player | 2026 LLWS roster, Phenix City |
| Kinley Rasmus | Herself | Pitcher / Shortstop | 25th Girl with Game, 2026 LLWS |
27 years between trips: Cory and Colby Rasmus played in the 1999 LLWS representing Phenix City. Kinley Rasmus earned her trip to Williamsport 27 years later, representing the same city. The same Alabama community that produced two MLB players and one LLWS team in 1999 now produced a Girl with Game who tied Mo’ne Davis’ strikeout record and eliminated California 12-2.
Girls with Game at the LLWS, A 40-Year History
Girls have competed in the LLWS for more than 40 years. Victoria Roche opened the door in 1984 from Brussels, Belgium. Victoria Brucker followed in 1989 with the first pitching performance by a girl. Mo’ne Davis set the strikeout record in 2014 with her historic shutout. Kinley and Carsynn now add their names to that long and growing list.
Girls with Game initiative: Little League launched the Girls with Game initiative in 2019 to celebrate the girls and women who shaped the program and inspire the next generation of female participants. The initiative creates more opportunities for girls throughout Little League Baseball and Softball and ensures young athletes can see players like themselves competing at every level of the game.
Conclusion
Kinley Rasmus and Carsynn Meyer are the 25th and 26th Girls with Game at the LLWS. They are the first pair from US-only teams competing in the same tournament. Kinley carried a 27-year Rasmus family legacy from Phenix City to Williamsport. Carsynn returned to the same Williamsport fields she walked in June, this time wearing a World Series uniform.
Both players extend a tradition Victoria Roche started at this same venue in 1984. Kinley tied Mo’ne Davis’ single-game strikeout record with 8 Ks against Washington. Carsynn brought her own story from the Maria Pepe Legacy Series to the LLWS field. Their 2026 performances add two new chapters to a Girls with Game story that grows every August.
