State champion Kearney Little League ‘clocks in’ at practice, hopes to make World Series

KEARNEY, NE — The Kearney little league team is clocking in.

“The briefcase is just time to go to work," first baseman Hagan Gates said. "We tap that before every practice and game and clock in, basically.”

The motivational tactic is working. Kearney won the state championship on Sunday.

“We won all of our games but then we came across Gretna," outfielder Kade Fuller said. "We played 8 innings and we didn’t score until the 8th inning and it was 2-1. Then we had to play them again in the championship, but then we won the championship 8-2.”

Now it’s on to preparing for the regional tournament in Indianapolis. Manager Dane Tobey says focused practices are an old habit for this group. The 12-and-under all-star team was assembled on June 29th and has only taken two days off since.

“These guys are committed to this," Tobey said. "They’re coming to the ballpark, they’re honing in on their skills and getting ready for I guess their vacation, which is the regional championships in Indy.”

Outfielder Kade Fuller and first baseman Hagan Gates say the higher stakes have meant a higher degree of difficulty at practice.

“(Practice is) a lot more intense,” Fuller said.

“Really serious and focus. Just working on fundamentals and stuff,” Gates said.

Tobey says there’s a reason for the ratcheted up routines. 

“Have them understand the importance of this," Tobey said. "Now we represent our state, we’re representing our community for the state championship. Now we have the ability to represent the state at the regional championship.”

Win the eight-team regional, and Kearney gets a chance to represent Nebraska in Williamsport, Pennsylvania at the famed Little League World Series.

Gates says the team believes it can win.

“Yes, if we stay focused and play our game,” Gates said.

Regionals start on Friday.

The Kearney team is hosting a barbecue, auction, and raffle in the mall parking lot on Monday to help pay for travel expenses. You can find details on the KLL Majors All-Star Team Facebook page.