Canes Illinois – Coaching Staff

Canes Midwest National • Home • Illinois • Canes Illinois – Coaching Staff

Row rect Shape Decorative svg added to top

Untitled design (23)
Founder

Mark
Sheehan

Mike Tumpane joined Canes Illinois Baseball in 2021 after his oldest son was recruited to play in the program. What started as a family connection quickly grew into a leadership role as Mike helped build the youth program alongside founder Mark Sheehan. In 2023, Mike and partners Tom Nelson and Kyle purchased Canes Illinois, continuing its growth into one of the Midwest’s premier development-first baseball organizations.
Owner & GM

Mike
Tumpane

(612) 790-2539
mtump@canesillinois.com

Tom Nelson is a Naperville Central alum and current Canes Illinois coach who has been leading youth teams since 2016. A former player turned coach, he holds an MBA and a Master of Sports Administration from Ohio University. In 2022, he led the 14U Canes Gold team to a top-10 state ranking. Off the field, Tom works as a Global Team Lead at Randstad Sourceright, supporting hiring efforts for Google.
Owner & President

Tom
Nelson

(224) 325-0407
tnelson@canesillinois.com

Josh Kay is a former professional pitcher and veteran coach with deep ties to Arlington Heights and St. Viator High School, where he now serves as Varsity Assistant Coach. A Hall of Fame inductee and former University of Cincinnati closer, Josh was drafted by the Oakland A’s in 2005. He later coached at the collegiate level before spending the past seven years developing youth talent. Off the field, he is Managing Director at Kay and Associates, Inc., a private Aerospace & Defense firm.
Director

Josh
Kay

(847) 308-2133
jkay@canesillinois.com

Pitching

Kevin Davis is a Canes Illinois pitching instructor with collegiate and professional experience, including time in the Frontier League, Mexico’s Bravos de León, and a stint with the Chicago White Sox organization. A former starter at Olney Central and closer at USC Upstate, Kevin brings a powerful combination of playing experience, physical therapy education, and strength training expertise. Standing at 6'9", he connects effortlessly with players of all ages and is passionate about helping them grow—while continuing to chase his own dream of making it to the big leagues.
Pitching Director

Kevin
Davis

(708) 837-9296
kdavis@canesillinois.com

Nate Jendras began his collegiate pitching career at Montreat College before transferring to North Central College. After hanging up his cleats, he shifted his focus to earning his Master’s degree and developing players at Canes Illinois. A longtime student of Coach Mark Sheehan and a former P3 class member, Nate brings energy, technical knowledge, and a passion for helping athletes grow both on and off the field.
Pitching Coordinator

Nate
Jendras

(630) 337-9366
njendras@canesillinois.com

IMG_8406 (1)
Pitching Coordinator

Bryce
Hellgeth

(847) 826-1346
bhellgeth@canesillinois.com

Mike Kowalczyk is a Canes Illinois coach and former collegiate player who graduated from Wheaton Warrenville South High School in 2019. He played at Culver-Stockton College and the College of Lake County before training under Coach Mark Sheehan and the Canes staff for a number of years. Mike brings a deep understanding of Canes pitching philosophy and mechanics and is available for private instruction, while also managing teams throughout the season.
Pitching Coach

Mike
Kowalczyk

Nick Sobieszczyk is a pitching instructor for Canes Illinois and a student at the University of St. Francis, where he’s majoring in Entrepreneurship. A former P3 class member and longtime student of Mark Sheehan, Nick is also actively pursuing a career in law enforcement with the Naperville Police Department. His coaching approach blends injury prevention, performance optimization, and long-term development—both on and off the field.
Pitching Coach

Nick
Sobieszczyk

RR
Pitching Coach

Rod
Ramos

tv
Pitching Coach

Tony
Valenza

scott anderson
Pitching Coach

Scott
Anderson

canes c logo
Pitching Coach

John
Herrera

canes c logo
Pitching Coach

Buddie
Pindel

Hitting, Fielding & Catching

IMG_3527
Hitting/Catching Director

Anthony
Drago

(630) 212-5822
adrago@canesillinois.com

IMG_3526
Hitting/Outfield Coach

James
DeGeorge

(847) 345-4399
jdegeorge@canesillinois.com

Stubitz
Hitting/Catching Coach

Carter
Stubitz

(630) 219-8919
cstubitz@canesillinois.com

Zaid Walker is a former standout outfielder drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in 2018 out of Homewood-Flossmoor High School. He went on to play at Michigan State, where he earned All-Big Ten honors and team MVP recognition, before finishing his collegiate career at Georgetown University. Zaid recently played professionally with the Idaho Falls Chukars in the Pioneer League. Passionate about player development, he now shares his experience and love for the game by mentoring the next generation of athletes.
Hitting/Outfield Coach

Zaid
Walker

(708) 518-8226
zaid.walker2@yahoo.com

Ron Cacini
Hitting Coach

Ron
Cacini

(847) 553-1054
rcacini@canesillinois.com

Jonny
Hitting Coach

Jonny
Carrera

canes c logo
Hitting Coach

James
Denton

canes c logo
Hitting Coach

Jeff
Beckert

canes c logo
Hitting Coach

Chris
Heywood

canes c logo
Hitting Coach

Joe Stagowski

canes c logo
Hitting/Infield Coach

Christian Kuzmeka