Tate Schneider of the Midwest team is tagged out by Frankie Kolter of the Mid-Atlantic team during the Little League World Series in South Williamsport. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Sioux Falls Little League is again playing at the Little League World Series.

With a catch.

Same league, different players. All 12 players are different from a year ago but these 12 helped Sioux Falls, South Dakota add another chapter to a tremendous story. They repeated as Midwest champions, becoming the only league to do so this year. But while they represent the same league and city, these 12 players have created their own identity.

In one of the country’s more decorated leagues, this group has established itself as one of the best to ever play there.

“At our first practice with these boys, the first thing I said was this isn’t about 2024 or 21 or any of the teams that came before. This ’25 group wants to build its own legacy,” Sioux Falls manager Ryan Vavruska said. “We want the individuals on this team to be remembered. We need to leave our own stamp on South Dakota, the Midwest and Williamsport.

Consider that, mission accomplished.

Former Sioux Falls champions could offer advice and encouragement but no one could play the game for these athletes. The three new coaches had to do all their own work as well. Together, they put everything together and emulated what came before, while at the same time putting their own personal touches on another dominant run.

Sioux Falls played its first Series game Thursday night, facing Pennsylvania. Yes, it was another proud moment for this tradition-laden league, but it also was a moment for this group of 15 to bask in the glow of something new they helped create.

“These boys are not worrying about who came before them. They just keep showing up and working and showing what they can do,” Sioux Falls Little League president Rob Butler said. “It’s really exciting to see them make their own mark for Sioux Falls Little League.”

This team has done so in impressive fashion, steamrolling its way through the field and capturing a fifth straight state championship. From there, Sioux Falls absorbed its first loss, falling in the Midwest winner’s bracket final against North Dakota before regrouping and redirecting itself back to South Williamsport.

Following the loss, Sioux Falls defeated Nebraska, 3-1 and exacted revenge against North Dakota, excelling in all facets and winning, 6-0 to repeat as Midwest champions.

Legacy, secured.

“North Dakota beating us in the semifinals was the best thing that could have happened to this team. After that, we didn’t look back. It made us even closer than before because they all rallied around each other,” Vavruska said. “They all have the same dream at the end of the day and that’s to be on TV in front of American and showing what they’re made of.”

They are made of pretty impressive stuff. Sioux Falls produced three shutouts at regionals, allowing just one run in its other win. Strong hitting has been spread throughout the lineup and America watched how outstanding the defense is when it produced a clinic at the Midwest championship.

Nine of these players were on last year’s 11U team but many played against each other during the regular season. And with just three state tournament games to play entering regionals, building chemistry was imperative. Turns out, Sioux Falls proved as skilled at that as fielding grounders, chasing flyballs and throwing strikes.

In a short time, this became more than a team. It became a family.

“They are always hanging out together away from the field, whether they’re fishing or playing Wiffle Ball or going to a movie. It’s great to see that camaraderie they’ve built together,” Vavruska said. “These last three weeks have flown by and we’ve told the kids to take it all in to the fullest and I think they’ve done that.”

That bonding has led to something which also shines a light on both how they team has won and the league itself. This is not just a talented, tight group but also a selfless one.

“The coaches did a great job of telling all these boys to keep paddling the boat in the same direction and it shows. You can see in the way they pick each other up,” Butler said. “In every interview, they’re talking about their teammates and saying that they can’t get there without them. They’re good role models for the younger kids and we can’t wait till they come back here and can share their stories with everybody.”

All the players heard similar stories as they worked their way up the Little League ladder. This is the third time since 2021 that Sioux Falls has reached Little League’s grandest stage and, while each team is different, that memorable thread, has linked so many.

Players from all three previous Midwest champions have offered support along this latest journey. Doing so has helped make the Series not a far-fetched dream, but something which feels real and attainable.

“From that group of 12 last year, some of them were back umpiring in the league this year and Coach Ryan had those boys from last year’s team talk to this year’s team to get them pumped and to let them know what to expect and things to have fun with,” Butler said. “It’s not just about preparing all the time, but soaking up the fun times and it’s really cool to see these guys from previous years come back and motivate this group.”

All four championship teams have created their own legacies. But, at the end of the day, they all are from Sioux Falls. They all have combined to help this league produce quite a story in its eight-year existence.

More chapters likely will be written, but Sioux Falls is reveling in this latest one, celebrating a team which again has proven one of the world’s best.

“The coaches from the previous teams have told the boys how this is something they’ll remember for the rest of their lives,” Vavruska said. “It hasn’t quite hit me yet, but they are creating so many memories and it’s an amazing atmosphere. Everyone on those teams says they still talk about everything they did to this day. For these kids to get to experience that is incredible.”