'This has been my passion': Wakefield's 18-time American Legion state champion coach to retire (2024)

Nobody is exactly sure how many games Paul Eaton has won in his 57 years as Wakefield's American Legion baseball coach.

The best guess is upward of 2,500, though there's no debate about the 18 championships his teams have captured.

A member of the Nebraska Baseball Hall of Fame, Eaton's long coaching career soon will come to an end. The 76-year-old will guide his squad for the last time at the Class C Legion state tournament that begins Saturday in — where else? — Wakefield.

"This will be my last one in uniform," Eaton said. "But I'm still going to go to the ballpark and work on the field as much as I can."

That's not a surprise, since the Eaton family name is on that field. Paul always finds time to make sure the diamond looks just so, and it's definitely a point of pride.

So is the success his teams have enjoyed since he took over as coach in 1967 while in college at Wayne State.

"Someone from the Legion asked if I could coach a team," Eaton said. "I told him I'd give it a try."

At age 19, he wasn't much older than his players. Three years later, he led his squad to the state tournament.

"The tourney that year was in Broken Bow," Eaton said. "It was a great experience at a beautiful field and by that point, I was hooked."

Being hooked was great news for the hundreds of players he coached throughout the years. One is Tanner Soderberg, who will coach Malcolm at the Class C tournament.

"He's a great coach and an even better person," Soderberg said. "I'm very thankful for the life lessons he's taught me, and I've tried to pass those along."

He added Eaton was demanding but fair and made sure all of his players understood how hard work can translate into success. During his playing days, Soderberg's teams won three state titles

As a sign of respect, he still refers to Paul as "Coach Eaton."

"Coach always was demanding but that helped us all learn about dealing with adversity," Soderberg said. "And it's always been about more than baseball because he always was willing to help a kid or his family."

Eaton said all of his teams have been special, but he does have certain memories. He once had an active-duty serviceman pitching a game, and then there was the 2010 team that won state one month after 21-year-old former Wakefield player Max Greve was killed in a grain bin accident.

His funeral was held at the Eaton baseball field.

"That championship is one I'll never forget," he said. "Max's family was a big contributor to our program and to win in his memory was really important to us all."

Eaton is quick to point out he couldn't have coached for so long without the love and support from Janelle, his wife of 53 years.

"She understands this has been my passion," he said. "We're a team and I couldn't have done it without her."

When his coaching career comes to an end, Eaton looks forward to spending more time with his grandchildren. But first, there's that last tournament for his 22-17 squad.

"It's been a fun season," he said. "But at some point, you think about the fact a younger guy might do a better job."

If Wakefield and Malcolm win their first-round games, former Wakefield player Soderberg would be matched up against his mentor.

"That will be a little nerve-wracking if we play," Soderberg said. "I hope it happens, but I worry because there's nobody better than Coach Eaton."

Tournament schedule

Saturday: Crofton vs. Albion, 10 a.m.; Pender vs. Palmer-Wolbach-Greeley, 1 p.m.; Malcolm vs. Imperial, 4; Tec*mseh vs. Wakefield, 7. Sunday: Losers bracket games at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; winners bracket games at 4 and 7. Monday: Losers bracket games at 1 p.m. and 4; winners bracket game at 7. Tuesday: Games at 4 and 7 p.m. Wednesday: Championship game, 4 p.m. (another game to follow, if necessary).