Sensational athlete from Killarney, 13-year-old Kaedyn Leslie had a terrific season on the diamond, and the star pitcher is looking forward to a very bright future.
Pitching came pretty naturally to Leslie, who says she has family members to thank for getting her on the mound. "My grandpa has always been a big part of my start in ball. He was the one that got me into pitching. We pitch all the time now in his shop, even in the off season."
It wasn't just her grandpa that made her fall in love with pitching, it's all that comes with it from controlling the game, to the strategy of the position, things Leslie really enjoys. "Normally, being in control of the game is huge. It also helps with things outside of ball, like learning how to just be in the moment, not always being worried about other people. With my teammates, it help me build a lot of trust with the people I've been playing with, I trust them when they're behind me."
There are a lot of details that go into the position of pitcher, something that Leslie has worked very hard developing her skills. "There's a lot of Youtube video's I get sent," she says with a laugh. "My grandpa and my mom always send me workouts and pitching drills, different types of throws and stuff, that all really helps with my pitching."
Developing her pitch types is also something that Leslie is always thinking about. "I have a fastball, changeup and I'm really trying to practice my drop ball right now," the star explains. "The changeup is normally a slower version of a fastball, mine is 9 mph slower than my fastball. A drop ball is just where it looks like it's coming in like a fastball, but it drops at the end."
The AA season runs from the beginning of June and goes until the end of July, so Leslie has really put in the work when it comes to arm strength, and being ready for a heavy work load. "It's been a lot of working out, a lot of practice. Practicing twice a week normally, but also during team practices. My coaches really help me, too."
In the 2025 season, saying Kaedyn Leslie was dominant is an understatement. With the Westman Storm, the hurler tossed 43 innings, only giving up seven runs, allowed just four walks, all while striking out an eye popping 59 batters, and she says it's about having a good mindset. "It takes a lot of time, trusting to calm myself, believing that the ball will do what it's supposed to do. If I do make a bad pitch, I have trust in my teammates, and I know they'll help me. My catcher, she really helps me, she helps me settle down."
Striking out batters is what Leslie loves to do, and she does it well, but when it comes to either a swinging strikeout or a strikeout looking, she does have a preference. "I like a swinging strikeout, because then you know they tried really hard to hit the ball," she says with a sly grin.
This year was made even more special for Leslie because she loves her teammates like family, and they win a lot. "It's been amazing. We got first in our showcase, and we ended up finishing second in provincials. Our friendships really just took off, we all get along very well. There was not one outsider that was on our team, we were all in it with everyone and not just certain people."
Being on the mound can sometimes be a lonely place, but not for Leslie, she knows she's always got a cheering section of family that have her back no matter what. "It's amazing, I've always had a large fan crowd, even family friends come a lot of the time. It's really awesome to get off the field and just be surrounded by people telling you good job, or if I didn't have a good game, encouraging me. It's special."
Leslie likes to live in the moment, but she admits there's been some thought given toward the future. "I don't have a long plan for my future, for now, I'm thinking I may try out for Magic, if not, I'm going to play AA again. I'm just happy pitching."