KEARNEY – Hagan Gates, from Kearney Little League, will represent Nebraska in the 2023 T-Mobile Little League Home Run Derby, which takes place this Sunday, July 16th at T-Mobile Field in Seattle, Washington.
The Kearney native finished in the Top Ten in the West Region of the Home Run Derby during the Kearney little League competition. The local derby was separated into three rounds in which Hagan hit the most in every round competing against area athletes.
This finish placed him to compete in Seattle, where the Top Four finalists will then travel to Williamsport.
Hagan’s father, Seth, spoke with KGFW Sports Director Austin Jacobsen about his son’s talent and improvement to be able to compete for the Home Run Derby:
“He is blessed with really good coaching,” said Seth Gates. “He’s also a part of a good group of kids. What has helped Hagan is being with the same coach since he was seven years old. The coaches of Kearney Little League helped him to continue his love of the game.”
Seth also highlighted the coaching staff of the Kearney Little League in Ryan Berg, Nate Bruner, and Jason Jones as key contributors to Hagan’s talent. He also added that Central Nebraska Baseball Academy hitting coach Dennis Jordan was a huge factor in improving Hagan’s swing.
“Kearney Little League made it happen. This couldn’t have been done without them,” continued Seth.
This is Gates’ second performance at the event, as he traveled last year to the All-Star matchup for the Little League Home Run Derby in 2022.
For more on the event, click here.
