Caleb Balbuena

Caleb Balbuena is a former professional baseball pitcher, dedicated coach of close to 22 years, and passionate advocate for veterans. Born and raised in Northern California, Caleb’s competitive spirit and commitment to excellence led him to a successful career as a minor league pitcher for the Seattle Mariners organization. His time in professional baseball instilled the values of discipline, teamwork, and perseverance—qualities he has carried into every aspect of his life.

After retiring from baseball, Caleb turned his focus to coaching, mentoring athletes at all levels to help them unlock their full potential on and off the field. His love of the outdoors and deep respect for service members inspired him to co-found Guns Up! alongside his cousin, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Daniel Job. Through Guns Up, Caleb works to create meaningful experiences for combat veterans, providing them with opportunities to connect, heal, and find purpose through waterfowl hunting and other outdoor adventures.

Driven by a commitment to service and community, Caleb has helped grow Guns Up from a small, grassroots effort into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to foster lifelong bonds and provide critical support resources to veterans and their families. Whether he’s coaching on the baseball diamond or welcoming veterans into the hunting blind, Caleb leads by example—demonstrating that dedication, compassion, and shared purpose can change lives.