More Than a Game

This Rockland baseball team is building more than just athletes

On any given afternoon, you can find Ed Tomas behind the wheel of a car packed with ballplayers, heading to practice. He’s more than a coach—he’s a mentor, a father figure and, in many ways, the heartbeat of Canes Tri-State Baseball team.

Ed Tomas, founder of the Lower Hudson Valley Canes since 2020, grew up playing baseball, and as he headed into higher education continued to play at a small JUCO college called Ranger College in Texas. Tomas said that while he had the athletic skills to be successful in college, he did not have the guidance that he needed as a young man. While finishing his collegiate and athletic careers, Tomas’ world changed with the arrival of his baby boy. It was through becoming a father that Tomas was reintroduced to the world of youth baseball, this time as a coach. This return to the sport reignited his passion and he vowed to build a culture different from the sports world he grew up. Tomas wanted to be that mentor he never had and help to prepare his players for the future. 

For several years, Tomas coached at various high schools  and a successful youth baseball organization that was recognized for placing players in schools. His son’s former coach, who was connected to Canes nationally, reached out to Tomas due to his reputation and asked if he would be willing to become the founder of the Tri-State area division. 

Canes Baseball is a national organization designed to develop high school players to play baseball at the collegiate level and is considered one of the top travel and showcase organizations in the country. To achieve this high level of play, Canes partners with Triple Crown Performance, an organization focusing on group training and skill development led by hitting coach JP Vail. The main goal of Canes Tri-State Baseball is to challenge the player’s development while providing opportunities to be seen by as many college coaches and professional scouts as possible. Canes Tri-State prides themselves in supporting and showcasing the whole athlete. For them, the player’s character and academics are just as important, if not more so, than their skills as an athlete. “Even if your skill level isn’t where you want it to be, if your effort and your heart are there, we can work with that,” said Tomas. 

Tomas described the importance of wanting to give his players real world experience with essentials like a firm handshake, prioritizing academics, and respect. “We’re not always looking for the best players,” stated Tomas. “We’re looking for team guys—players who are hungry, who take responsibility, who want to grow.”  The way Tomas sees it, if teens are taught ambition, determination, and perseverance, it will translate to any career field they may choose. 

Canes hosts a multitude of scholarship dinners honoring their players and rewarding their athletes with financial support, inspiring each player to show up with a good attitude. This past season, Canes Tri-State Baseball was proud to share that 100% of their athletes achieved collegiate athletic scholarships.

Nadia Cruz, Operational Director, became involved after her son played for one of Tomas’ teams at just ten years old. She saw Tomas’ dedication and vision to prepare his players for more than just the field and decided she wanted to support his goals. Having opened up her own school in 2013, Cruz used her scheduling and organizational skills to bring the team to the next level with Tomas. “It wasn’t about the money, it was about these boys,” shared Cruz. 

Two years ago, Canes Tri-State Baseball was ranked 39th in the country, a huge success as a Northeast team. Other organizations have the ability to practice year round, but due to the difference in climate limiting outdoor play, Canes Tri-State Baseball is forced  to adapt. Adaptability has always been one of Tomas’ strengths – soon after Canes Tri-State’s Baseball’s founding in 2020, COVID flipped the sport on its head, testing the team’s creativity and resilience. Not one to let a pandemic get in his way, Tomas implemented workarounds with home workouts, virtual coaching, and continuing to show up for his athletes every day, even if that meant showing up virtually. 

Canes Tri-State Baseball has also worked with Challengers Program for the past two years, an organization dedicated to kids of all ages with special needs. Canes players teach participants how to play baseball, forging bonds and making an impact on the athletes growth as mentors and as young men in the community. 

Ed Tomas has served as a player, a coach, a mentor, and a community leader. Through his efforts, baseball is deeply impacting families and players all over the tri-state area. His own adversity and perspective is providing young athletes the opportunity to learn about the reality of their futures, and the fact that they can control where they end up. For Tomas, it’s never just been about baseball. It’s about building men who carry integrity, humility, and purpose long after their final inning.