These two photographs from the 1940s show Harland and Burton Coffman of Topeka. In the earlier of the two photos, dated 1940, the boys are posing with their bicycles outside the service station owned by their father, A.L. Coffman (known as Al, Vern, or most often by his nickname "Pooch"). In the 1940 snapshot, Burton is on the left and Harland on the right. In the later, undated photo, Harland is on the left and Burton, the right. The Coffman family was well-known in Topeka baseball circles throughout the 1940s and 1950s, primarily because of the Topeka Decker Oilers, a semi-pro team organized and managed by "Pooch" Coffman. Both Harland and Burton would eventually play for their father on the Decker Oiler team, alongside their uncles Junior and Ed. Both also played professionally in the minor leagues. Burton's minor league career was brief, lasting only 11 games as a pitcher for the Carthage Cubs in 1951. Harland also was a pitcher who played for several minor league teams between 1948 and 1953. In the 158 minor league games for which his statistics are available, Harland compiled a record of 62-46 with an ERA of 3.19. Digital reproduction of the photographs was accomplished through a joint project sponsored by the Kansas Historical Society and the Shawnee County Baseball Hall of Fame.
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