ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Akash Shah

Coming on in relief for the Rays in the Winter Garden Little League Majors Championship May 22, Akash Shah retired 10 consecutive batters to help set the tone for the team the rest of the way. The Rays went on to win, 10-5, over the Royals, advancing to the Top Team Tournament. Akash, 12, who has been playing baseball for just two years, talked about his big game and more as our Athlete of the Week.

You came on in relief in a bit of a tense situation. Were you nervous?

I was a bit nervous, but it felt great with how I performed. It’s a team effort, overall.

As a competitor, did you like that it was a pressure-packed situation?

A little, yeah.

What was it like, with the big crowd that was here, when the game went final and you guys had won?

It felt great. It felt like we won the World Series.

How excited are you to move on to the Top Team Tournament where you will face champions from other Little Leagues?

I’m pretty excited. I’m hoping that we might win it, and I’m hoping we do well.

What does the team need to do to be successful in that tournament?

We need to practice hard and have less errors in the field.

What’s the camaraderie like with your teammates?

We all like each other. No one hates each other or anything.

So why did you decide to play baseball two years ago?

I felt like I need to play a sport, and none of the other sports was really good for me. I tried out baseball, and it worked for me.

What do you like about baseball?

I like how you can win and lose a lot but that it doesn’t come down to one person. It’s always a team effort.

Your teammate, Caitlyn Naginey, is one of the best players on the team. Is it different at all playing with a girl who is so good?

She’s just one of the teammates. It doesn’t matter who plays.

Who’s your favorite baseball team and player?

My favorite team is the Toronto Blue Jays, and my favorite player is Adrian Beltre.

Do you play any other sports?

Yes, I play cricket and I play soccer.

For those of us who don’t know, can you explain some of the differences between cricket and baseball?

In cricket, you can have either six runs on the board; four, two and one and three. You run with the bat; you don’t drop it. Instead of bases, you run toward where the ball was thrown from and back and forth. To get an out, you have to hit the wicket.

Do you have a preference as to watching baseball or cricket on television or in person?

Neither are better for me; I like watching both. I like watching all sports.

What’s your favorite subject in school?

Math, and it’s because I’m good at it.

What’s the last movie you saw, and was it any good?

“Jupiter Ascending,” and it was a good movie. It was kind of sci-fi/fiction, and I like those kind of movies.

What do you like to do with your free time?

I like hanging out with my friends and my brothers, and we play sports.

What are you looking forward to the most about summer vacation?

Going camping in Canada with my cousins (near Toronto).

Have you been to Toronto before, and if so, what do you like about it?

I was born in Toronto. It gets cold but it never gets too warm.

What’s your dream job?

Computer engineer.