Kelby Coburn has been named the Badlands Big Sticks Field Manager for the 2025 season.
Prior to the Big Sticks, Kelby has had coaching experience in the Texas Collegiate League and Texas Coastal Baseball League. In the summer of 2023, Coburn held the title of Head Coach for the Ingleside Pelicans of the Texas Coastal Baseball League where he led his team to a regular season best record of 20-4 and a League Championship Title.
In 2024, he joined the Seguin River Monsters of the Texas Collegiate League as an Assistant Coach, overseeing the hitters and coaching 3rd base. He coached multiple league All-Star selections, including the All-TCL Team 2nd Baseman. Over the course of his summer ball experience, Coburn has utilized his connections to help place uncommitted athletes to schools across all levels from Division 1 to High Level JUCO.
“Kelby has a tremendous passion for the game and has great connections for us to bring in some talented baseball players this summer,” stated Big Sticks President, Jason Watson. “Kelby has a great relationship with his players and does what it takes to get the best out of them. The entire Big Sticks organization is excited to see what Kelby will bring not only to the Big Sticks but for our amazing community.”
Away from the summer ball scene, Coburn has served as the Graduate Assistant for the Texas State University Bobcats in San Marcos, TX since July of 2023. He currently is completing his Masters of Science in Exercise Science, with a concentration in Sport Coaching & Strength and Conditioning.
“I am so grateful to have been chosen to lead the Badlands Big Sticks in the 2025 season,” said Coburn. “The opportunity to manage in such a highly regarded summer league will be a unique and humbling experience that I am so fired up for. I am appreciative of the organization for bestowing their trust in me with this role and for those around me who have supported me along the way. I could not be here without all of you.”
In 2023, Coburn earned his bachelor’s degree from Howard Payne University, while playing multiple infield positions and DH role for the HPU Yellow Jackets (2022-2023). At the JUCO level, Coburn Play second base for North Arkansas College, as part of the team that won the first regional tournament game in program history.
Kelby is originally from West Columbia, Texas.
“We as a staff are going to work hard to bring the Big Sticks organization and city of Dickinson a product they will be proud of,” stated Coburn. “This is going to be a summer to remember for everyone involved. Now is the time to create a legacy here in Dickinson, one pitch at a time. GO BIG STICKS!”
The Big Sticks are currently finalizing assistant coaching positions and the 2025 Badlands Big Sticks schedule will be released by the end of the year.
Zac Tapia enters the 2024-2025 year for his 3rd season as the Head Pitching Coach of Chaffey College. Coming off a 2nd consecutive IEAC title, 2024 Panther squad saw 16 sophomores matriculate to 4-year universities after a 27-15 overall record. The Panthers held a top 5 pitching staff in California under Coach Tapia and staff. The 2024 Panthers sent 5 more players to the NCAA D1 level, matching the success from their previous season.
In 2023, the Panthers enjoyed their most successful season since 2016 with a 28-14 record, capturing the IEAC title (21-3 conference record), graduating all of their sophomores, with 11 moving on to play baseball at the 4-year level. Chaffey saw a program-high 5 players commit to NCAA D1 programs, and had their first ABCA All-American since 2016 in RHP Braden Hofmeyer, winning conference MVP.
Other highlights from the 2023 season included conference gold glove winners Matt Chavez, and Clay Porter receiving ABCA Pacific Association All-Defensive Team at shortstop, being recognized as the 2nd best defensive shortstop on the west coast. 7 Panthers were awarded all-conference honors as well.
The Panthers finished 1st in the state rankings in stolen bases and double plays turned, both large in part to the play of leadoff hitter/shortstop Clay Porter.
Coach Tapia is a graduate of Bluefield University in West Virginia with a Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice.
“I could not be more pumped up about this hire,” stated Big Sticks Field Manager, Kelby Coburn. “Hiring the right man to handle our pitching staff was of the utmost importance to me and I have no doubt in my mind we got the right guy in Coach Tapia. This guy is a workhorse, who is intelligent as all get out, and loves to see his players grow and develop! This mindset fits in perfectly with what we are trying to accomplish here in Badlands this summer.”
