Condolences El Cid

Sammi Kane Kraft, whose real-life baseball skills landed her the role of the pitching ace in the only film she ever made, 2005's "Bad News Bears," died early Tuesday in a car accident in Los Angeles. She was 20.

She was a passenger in an Audi that was speeding on the westbound 10 Freeway near Crenshaw Boulevard about 1:30 a.m. when it rear-ended a big rig and was then struck by another car, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Kraft was pronounced dead at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, said her brother, Frankie Kraft.

Molly Kate Adams, the 21-year-old driver of the Audi, was treated for moderate injuries and arrested on suspicion of felony drunk driving, the CHP said. The two other drivers escaped without major injury.

Kraft was discovered on a baseball diamond in Los Angeles, where her family had moved from New York so she and another brother could play ball year-round.

She secured the part of Amanda Whurlitzer, played with gusto by Tatum O'Neal in the 1976 original film, after throwing a 75 mph fastball during a casting call in Encino, the Daily News of Los Angeles reported in 2005.

"Amanda is such a character that you can't 'out-Tatum' Tatum O'Neal, so we wanted to get a real girl who could do it," "Bad News Bears" director Richard Linklater said in the 2005 interview. "I didn't want to keep cutting to some boy with a wig on who could throw."

Only 13 years old when the film was released, Kraft portrayed the sole girl on a misfit baseball team coached by Billy Bob Thornton's character. He gave her acting tips and helped her with the crying scenes, she later said.

"I could never fill Tatum O'Neal's shoes, but I tried to make the role my own," Kraft told the New York Daily News in 2005. "I added a bit of the New York in me. A little toughness, a little bit of smart-ass."

She didn't care about acting as a career but "was just kind of enjoying all of it," Frankie Kraft said. "She always wore a smile and was hilarious. She loved characters, did amazing Robert De Niro impressions and never took anything too seriously."

Born April 2, 1992, in Livingston, N.J., Sammi grew up with two brothers in a baseball-playing family.

As an 8-year-old pitcher and the only girl on the Toluca Lake Titans baseball team, she once threw nine strikes in the final inning to win the game. The tough-as-nails performance was vintage Sammi, said Frank: "She was just that kind of chick."

At El Camino Real High School in Woodland Hills, she played varsity girls softball. After graduating in 2010, she studied at San Francisco State and started a folk-country-rock band called Scary Girls.

After returning to Los Angeles earlier this year, Kraft enrolled at Santa Monica College and often performed as a solo singer-guitarist at small venues. On the last night of her life, she attended a show and was trying to network with bands, her brother said.

For the last year, Kraft had collaborated with her brother on a musical called "Funerals" that was inspired by their grandmother's death. She had spent a week in January in New York work-shopping the production with actors.

"Now I know I need to complete this for her," Frankie said. "It was our baby, and it's nothing to be wasted."

One of the songs she wrote for the musical is called "Time" and includes the lyric: "Time slows without warning."

She is survived by her parents, Shelly and Lulu Kane Kraft of Marina del Rey; brothers Frankie and Bobby; and a grandfather, Syd Kane

Elcid I am so sorry for the family loss. I remember you telling us of her appearing in the movie, your pride bursting through, a Grandpa. As a grandmother I am mourning with you tonight and all the tomorrows. Blessings to your daughter and all the recipients that have received the graces of this young women Sammi. :( PC

I made a promise to have something to someone before I went home today. It's 7:00 pm Friday night, I'm not done yet, my grandson is spending the night... he's home with Grammy.

I thought I'd check in here for a quick mental break.

You just put more than a couple tears down my cheek, Syd. To break my promise, or trust fate for another day...

So, SO, sorry for what your family is suffering, especially your own baby girl. I keep trying to come up with something good to say. It's just not there. May you all grieve as peacefully as possible, and may the great memories never fade.

Wow!

I wish to thank all of you for your sincere condolences. To all of you parents and grandparents,just give all your kids and especially the grandchildren, an extra hug and kiss when you see them. Our Sammi was a natural competitor - she had to be in a household with 2 older brothers. Bobby, for his prowess in baseball and basketball, and Frankie, a thesbian and theatrical accomplishments. She was a typical California beauty who excelled as a surfer on the beaches of Malibu, and the Jersey shore. Sammi was the family s pride and joy. She was not only a physical beauty, but in her death she exhibited a brave and courageous living will, whereby her organs were donated to society.The only consolation my devastated daughter feels, is that Sammi has given renewed life to at least 8 people. Sammi self taught herself the guitar, and started composing songs. So much so, she and her brother collaborated on a musical, that Frankie has vowed to complete. Her most famous saying when we crossed the country to her new home in LA was " are we there yet ". You are honey with your beloved Nana, in Heaven.

Well, I don't know who Syd is, but my condolences. It's sad when a young life is snuffed by another like that.

You guys are making me cry.

This whole thing makes me cry. So sorry Syd

Dearest El Cid: I am saying a prayer for you and your family. Sounds like she did a lot of amazing things in her short life.

Rarely do I find myself lost for words. This is one of those rare moments.

From one grandfather to another, Syd, my heart goes out to you and your family.

Such a shame. My condolences to you my friend. That sure puts things in perspective.

Gosh Sid, My grand daughter is going to be three in a couple of days. that would just break my heart in two. My sincerest condolances.

Very sad, Cid. It sounds like she had lots of accomplishments in her young life. So much potential for more.

Terrible heartbreaking news.

I'm sorry to hear that, sorry Syd, my condolences.