Neighbors

Pint-sized VS player looks forward to more baseball

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Five-year-old Leah Ally will stick with baseball after a strong season with the Valley Stream Baseball League last spring as her team persevered with a 10-2 record and won the Sandlot Championship.

“She’s the best hitter on the team, or close to it,” said Rich Graves, whose grandson plays on Leah’s team, the Nationals.

Leah scored three runs in the division championship game against the Yankees, who they beat 10-9. She contributed significantly to the team’s success, gaining attention as the team’s youngest player and the only girl on the roster.

Her mother, Shelley Khan, said the boys welcomed Leah, whose status as the lone girl didn’t bother her one bit. She’s used to being around boys, growing up with two older brothers who spend countless hours playing baseball with her in their front yard or living room. The boys, Shaz and Reyaz, also play in the league. The early start seems to have paid off — Leah’s batting average is .700 and she usually makes contact.

Leah has practiced nearly every day since she could walk, said Khan, though the intrepid young athlete maintains she’s good enough without it (“I don’t need practice,” she replied to a question about her routine).

Khan said her husband, who coaches the Angels in the league, suggested Leah sign up for softball so she could play with other girls, but Leah made friends on the Nationals and showed no interest in switching. She’d like to to play for her favorite professional team’s league namesake, the Yankees, next season. She also wants to move from her outfield and second base positions to the pitcher’s mound.

“We’ll let her do whatever she wants to do,” said Shelley.