ABOUT uS
cANES iLLINOIS
Founded in 2020, Canes Illinois was built with a simple philosophy: prioritize long-term player development and health over short-term wins. Created by Master Pitching Instructor Mark Sheehan, the program combines science-based training, arm care, and intentional development to prepare athletes for the next level—on and off the field.
Today, Canes Illinois is led by owners Mike Tumpane, Kyle Kolb, and Tom Nelson alongside a professional coaching staff committed to the Canes Way—a culture of accountability, communication, player empowerment, and physical and mental wellness. Using advanced technology like Trackman, we take a data-driven, year-round approach to development, ensuring every athlete is progressing where it matters most.
Our Core Values
At Canes Illinois Baseball, our mission is to develop complete athletes by prioritizing health, long-term development, and personal growth. Through elite instruction, intentional training, and a supportive culture, we prepare players to succeed on the field and in life.
Health & Wellness
We put athlete health first through smart training, injury prevention, and nutrition education—building strong bodies and resilient minds.
Player Development
Our coaches focus on elite fundamentals and individualized instruction, helping each player reach their full potential and develop a true love for the game.
Character & Leadership
We develop more than athletes. Integrity, accountability, teamwork, and perseverance are core to everything we do.
Community Impact
Players are encouraged to give back through service, outreach, and volunteer efforts—building empathy, leadership, and responsibility beyond baseball.
Academic Focus
We support academic excellence and believe success in the classroom is foundational to long-term success in life and sport.
Inclusive Culture
We proudly foster a welcoming environment where athletes from all backgrounds feel valued, supported, and connected.
Growth Mindset
We promote continuous learning for players, coaches, and families—staying curious, evolving, and committed to long-term development.
Our Goal
We’re looking for players who are ready to work. Players who want to get better at the game of baseball and are willing to put in the time, effort, and discipline it takes to do so.
Our job is to prepare our boys for 2 things:
- Whatever their next level of baseball is.
- Life.
We focus on the fundamentals required to play the game at a high level. It’s about more than throwing gas or hitting bombs. Those are great and that comes ... but we teach players how to play the game—understanding the nuances that win and lose baseball games.
At the youth level, our priority is fostering a love for the game while building a strong foundation. We teach fundamentals that are often lost in youth baseball and prepare players for whatever comes next. As a result, our players frequently reach high school a step ahead ... because they know how to play the game.
At the high school level, we push players to their maximum potential while supporting them through the process. The majority of our high school athletes go on to play college baseball ... and that doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of consistent training, discipline, accountability, and support.
At the college level, if a player has what it takes to reach the next level, we can help with that too.
Nothing is guaranteed. This isn't always popular, but it is real world.
Every player is expected to grind year in and year out and earn their spot. That’s how it works in high school. That’s how it works in college. And that’s how it works in life.
At Canes Illinois, we’re not just focused on the 13u game or the 17u game ... we’re focused on the 40u game.