CANES BASEBALL ILLINOIS
A different brand of baseball!
Canes Illinois was started in the fall of 2020 by Mark Sheehan when he merged a couple of high school teams between Evolution Athletics and Savage baseball. Mark is a Master Pitching Instructor who was awarded the Collegiate Baseball News 2014 Teaching Professional of the Year award for his training efforts nationwide. He has over 15 successful years teaching players science supported pitching mechanics and arm care and has players that are currently playing across all levels of baseball.
Mark saw a need for a new approach to travel baseball … one focused on the health and development of young baseball players vs. trophies and titles. He wanted to build a program focused on developing players for their next level of baseball, whatever that next level was. This is when he decided to start Canes Illinois and began hiring some great baseball people to help him get things started.
Mark brought on several current and former collegiate and professional baseball players, trainers and coaches to help him start teaching better mechanics, managing off season arm development, in season arm care and in game pitching management.
Mark also knew he needed to hire someone that could teach the offensive side of baseball, so he hired Zach Teske, who is now the Hitting Director of Canes Illinois. Zach is an incredible baseball mind who brings 8 years of coaching experience and a background in Counseling Psychology. Zach’s background in counseling psychology allows him to teach more than just the mechanics of a good baseball swing. Zach works with his hitters on the mental side of hitting as much as he does the mechanical side … which has helped Canes Illinois turn out some incredible hitters.
Currently Canes Illinois is owned in partnership by Mark Sheehan, Mike Tumpane, Kyle Kolb & Tom Nelson. They have built a team of professional trainers and coaches that are trained and certified by Mark Sheehan and Zach Teske. The entire staff relentlessly works to establish the Canes Way … which is a culture that places an emphasis on personal accountability, self-awareness, team pride, open communication, player empowerment and both mental and physical health.
In 2022, Canes Illinois launched its youth program with 12u and 13u teams. Mark and Zach’s vision was to get kids involved with the arm health and development concepts as early in their baseball careers as possible, helping to protect their arms as they work towards high school and beyond.
A couple of key differentiators for Canes Illinois are the use of the Coach Sheehan’s Velocity Pitching program, Coach Teske’s Velocity Hitting program, the ArmCare program (ArmCare.com), WIN Virtual Reality, and Trackman for our individual player development plans.
Last but certainly not least, Canes Illinois is part of the National Canes Baseball organization, which is known as one of the top travel baseball programs in the US. With multiple national championships the organization has under its belts, it’s easy to see why Canes Baseball has expanded from their headquarters in Maryland/Virginia to states such as: Texas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Georgia, and more!
At Canes Illinois, we are committed to nurturing the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of young athletes while fostering their personal growth and development through the transformative power of travel baseball. Our mission is to create a dynamic and supportive environment that empowers players to excel not only on the field but also in life.
Our Core Values
- Health and Wellness: We prioritize the health and well-being of our youth athletes by promoting proper physical conditioning, injury prevention, and nutrition education. We believe that a strong body and mind are essential for reaching peak performance both on and off the baseball diamond.
- Skill Development: We strive for excellence in baseball skills and fundamentals. Our coaching staff is dedicated to instilling a passion for the game and providing personalized instruction to help players reach their fullest potential.
- Character Building: Beyond the sport itself, we aim to instill important values such as integrity, sportsmanship, teamwork, and perseverance. Our program emphasizes the importance of becoming not just skilled athletes but also responsible and respectful individuals.
- Community Engagement: We encourage our players to actively contribute to the community by participating in outreach programs, charitable events, and volunteer opportunities. Through these experiences, we believe they will develop empathy, leadership, and a sense of responsibility to give back to society.
- Academic Excellence: We recognize the importance of education and strive to foster a supportive environment that encourages academic achievement. We believe that a strong commitment to education is the foundation for long-term success, both on and off the field.
- Lifelong Learning: We encourage a growth mindset and continuous learning. Our organization is dedicated to providing ongoing educational opportunities for players, coaches, and parents to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in baseball and youth development.
Through our travel baseball program, we aspire to create well-rounded individuals who are not only skilled athletes but also compassionate, responsible, and confident leaders. Together, we aim to make a positive impact on our players’ lives and contribute to the betterment of the communities we serve.