Since 1997
What a week at BLE actually looks like — and the 28-year story of how a former Olympic coach built North America's longest-running residential baseball camp.
A Typical Day
Every day at BLE is structured around the same principle: learn it in the morning, apply it in the afternoon, process it in the evening. Here's the rhythm.
Athletes eat together on-site. Fuel for the day. Coaches are present at meals — this is part of the experience, not a break from it.
Position-specific instruction with the coaching staff. Pitchers work with former MLB pitchers. Hitters get cage time and tee work with professional-level hitting coaches. Fielders run defensive drills on the diamond. Small groups, direct feedback.
Athletes eat on-site, rest, and reset for the afternoon. Recovery matters — especially in the Okanagan heat.
Umpired, coached, competitive innings. The morning's instruction gets tested in real game situations. Coaches are on the field, not in the bleachers — live correction, live learning.
On-site group dinner. Athletes eat with teammates and coaches. Community is built here as much as on the field.
This is where BLE separates from other camps. Coaches like Shea Hillenbrand share lessons on adversity, mental toughness, and life beyond the diamond. Athletes hear from people who've lived what they're chasing. These sessions are consistently rated the most impactful part of camp.
Rec time, swimming, hanging out with teammates. The bonds that form during these hours are what bring families back year after year. Head Counsellor Nick Salahub oversees evening operations.
Camp is a full week in the Okanagan. Pack like you're living at a baseball facility for six days — because you are. A detailed packing list is sent after registration, but here are the essentials.
Forget something? Oliver has a general store, and the coaching staff has seen everything. Don't stress.
Glove, bat, helmet, cleats, athletic cup. Bring what you play with — this isn't the time for new gear.
Enough for a week of daily training. Baseball pants, practice jerseys, workout clothes. Plan for laundry mid-week.
For evenings and free time. It's the Okanagan in August — light and comfortable.
Sunscreen, hat, water bottle. Oliver in August is hot. Hydration isn't optional.
Free time includes swimming. Bring a suit and towel.
Sleeping bag or sheets depending on accommodation. Details provided after registration.
The Setting
Nestled in the South Okanagan Valley, Oliver is surrounded by mountains, vineyards, and some of the best weather in Canada. It's also home to the diamonds where BLE has been developing athletes since 1997.
Well-maintained diamonds managed by Oliver Parks and Recreation. Real infield dirt, real outfield grass, regulation dimensions for every age group.
August in Oliver means 30°C+ days and cool evenings. Dry heat, clear skies, and the kind of summer baseball weather you can't get on the coast.
Oliver is a small town that's welcomed BLE for nearly three decades. Local families, local businesses, and a community that knows what camp week means.
~4 hours from Vancouver. ~1.5 hours south of Kelowna. Closest airports: Penticton (YYF) and Kelowna (YLW). Most families drive.
28 Years
1997
Marty Lehn — fresh from years of national team coaching and MLB scouting — launches the Big League Experience in Oliver, BC. The idea: a residential camp where Canadian kids train with people who've actually played and coached at the highest level. Year one is small, but the foundation is real.
Early 2000s
Former MLB players begin joining the coaching staff. Tom Burgess — former St. Louis Cardinal and teammate of Stan Musial — becomes a foundational voice at camp. The "Best of the West" tournament series launches in Kamloops, adding a competitive team element to the BLE ecosystem.
2004
Marty serves as coach for the Canadian Olympic baseball team in Athens. The experience deepens BLE's connection to international baseball and brings Olympic-level coaching perspective back to the camp program.
2011–2013
Tyler O'Neill attends BLE in 2011. Mike Soroka comes through in 2012 and 2013. These are kids at the time — developing athletes who'll go on to play in the major leagues. The pipeline is real, and it starts here.
2018–2023
Mike Soroka makes his MLB debut with the Atlanta Braves (2018). Tyler O'Neill becomes a Silver Slugger with the Cardinals. Jared Young debuts for the Cubs (2023). Three BLE alumni playing in the major leagues — proof that the program develops athletes who can compete at any level.
2020s
BLE grows to five camp sessions, a full tournament series (86+ teams per season across spring and fall), travel events to Arizona and Las Vegas, and a coaching staff that includes former MLB players, national team coaches, and professional scouts from across North America.
2026
A standardized athlete assessment program. A commitment to data-driven development alongside the coaching expertise that's always defined BLE. And the same fundamental belief that started it all: young athletes deserve to be coached by people who've been there.
For Parents
Yes. Head Counsellor Nick Salahub oversees camp operations and athlete welfare around the clock. Coaching staff are present during all training, meals, and evening activities. Free time is supervised.
It's common, especially for first-time campers. Our staff is experienced at helping kids settle in. The structured schedule, constant activity, and team environment help enormously. Parents can call the camp office if they have concerns.
All meals are provided on-site. If your child has specific dietary needs or allergies, note them during registration and we'll accommodate. Athletes train hard in the heat — meals are designed to fuel performance.
Parents are welcome to watch game play in the afternoons. The residential experience works best when athletes are immersed with their teammates, so we encourage parents to let their kids settle into the camp community.
Many BLE campers are first-timers. The structure, the coaching staff, and the camaraderie with other athletes make it one of the best first-time-away-from-home experiences a kid can have. Most leave asking to come back next year.
Families come back year after year because BLE delivers something no other camp in Canada can. Find your athlete's camp and be part of the next chapter.
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