Don't Tell Her It's Only A Boys' Game

McKenzie Richards may only be 12 years old, but she is already being described as a very fierce competitor by her Rhode Island Reds coach Ron Pezzuco, as she is the only girl on not just one league team, but two.

Richards, of Cranston, is a member of the Cranston American Little League under-12 squad and the Rhode Island Reds under-12 team, which plays at the  and Mazzulla fields in Johnston.

"McKenzie is a great clutch hitter and bunter," said Reds coach Ron Pezzuco. "She is a leader and a pleasure to coach."

While she typically plays third base, her dad, David, explained that she also pitches and plays shortstop.

The R.I. Reds team started their season in April and play two or three games a week. Their record was 4-6 going into their June 4 contests against North Attleboro — and in one day, they evened their season tally.

In a double header agaist the visiting Stars, the Reds won both games, 12-2 and 16-2.

During a trip to New Jersey, McKenzie contributed three doubles in a four-game series that the Reds finished 1-3.

In addition to her local play, Richards also plays on the AAU traveling team.She's also a multi-sport athlete — last year, she played for the Providence Inner City all-girls under-14 baskeball team that went undefeated and won the city championship. She also played soccer for the East Providence Soccer League.

And if all that weren't enough, during the winter months, McKenzie does cardio training and practices hitting and fielding at Extra Innings in Warwick.

Asked what she would like to do when she grows up, McKenzie at first said she'd like to be a veterinarian, but also she said she'd enjoy "anything to do with sports."

McKenzie has a while yet to decide on a career; right now, she said she's focusing on being selected to the Cranston American All-Stars team for the second year in a row.