More than a team:
How does a village of fewer than 50 people end up with one of the area’s fastest- growing travel baseball organizations?
That’s a question the families behind the Saronville Shiners hear quite often.
Over the past three years, what began as a single team has grown into a four-team organization bringing together players from communities across south central Nebraska. Today, the Shiners field teams at the 9U, 11U, 13U and 14U levels, drawing athletes from Sutton, Sandy Creek, BDS, Deshler, EMF, Thayer Central, Harvard, Hastings, Hebron, Friend, Geneva and other area communities.
But while the organization has found success on the baseball diamond, those involved say the real story is about much more than baseball.
The Shiners were not created during a single meeting or inspired by one defining moment.
Instead, the organization grew gradually from conversations among parents who wanted more baseball opportunities for their children. Many local athletes loved town ball and wanted to continue playing, but they were also looking for additional games, competition and development opportunities.
Over time, those conversations evolved into a plan. Families from several communities came together, a roster was assembled and a new travel baseball organization took shape.
What began as a single team quickly gained momentum. As word spread, more players and families became interested, and the organization continued to grow.
The growth has been fueled by a simple mission.
The Saronville Shiners describe themselves as a baseball organization focused on development, passion for the game and helping young athletes grow both on and off the field. While tournament success is certainly celebrated, coaches say the emphasis has always been on teaching lessons that extend beyond baseball.
Their philosophy is reflected in a favorite quote from baseball legend Yogi Berra: “Baseball is ninety percent mental. The other half is physical.”
The goal is not simply to develop better players, but to help young people build confidence, teamwork, sportsmanship and lifelong friendships.
The program was also designed to strengthen local baseball rather than compete with it.
Coach Corey Ebert said many talented young players were leaving area communities to play for travel programs in larger towns and cities. The Shiners offered a way for players to enjoy both travel baseball and their local Little Six League teams.
“We were losing some of the more baseball- focused kids to Hastings, Grand Island, York and other communities,” Ebert said. “We knew that to save our league, or improve it, we needed to keep those kids involved in town ball.”
The result has been a model that allows players to gain additional experience while maintaining ties to their hometown programs and communities.
The organization’s name has become one of its most recognizable features.
Because the original roster included players from multiple communities, organizers wanted a neutral name rather than identifying with any one town. Since many of the early discussions took place near Saronville, the village’s name seemed like a natural fit.
The nickname “Shiners” came from conversations about fishing with shiner minnows at Glen Elder Reservoir. The first logo concept even featured a small fish.
The name regularly catches opponents off guard.
“We get it all the time,” said Shay Jones. “How do you guys have a team with a population of 47?”
