Opening day for Major League Baseball was Thursday, March 27, 2025. The Seattle Mariners took on the Oakland Athletics and won, thanks to a pair of eighth inning home runs. Locally, aspiring pro ball players have a unique opportunity thanks to the Olympia Baseball Club. Their teams offer a unique coaching experience thanks to former MLB coaches and professional athletes. The Olympia Baseball Club delivers a wealth of knowledge and experience for players ages 10 to 18.
Professional Athletes Make Stellar Coaches with the Olympia Baseball Club
The Olympia Baseball Club’s coaching staff know their sport inside and out. Four are former MLB players and one is a college-level coach who currently heads the Olympia High School baseball team. These include Taber Lee, a three-sport athlete from Capital High School who went on to play for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Lee spent 10 years in the MLB before concluding his baseball career in Italy, voted the Italian Baseball League’s MVP.
Jason Andrews pitched for Pacific Lutheran University before moving to the minors with the Texas Rangers and Cincinnati Reds. Olympia High School player Reid Hamblet pitched for Biola University and was later drafted by the Baltimore Oriels.
Third-basemen Zach Strong, another Capital High School grad, played college ball before signing with the San Francisco Giants. He later spent several years with the independent Can-Am League. Derek Weldon is a Texas transplant and collegiate player who now has nearly 20 years’ experience as a coach. Weldon has led the Olympia Bears high school team to a 4A state championship and multiple other awards.
Helping Players Become the Best Version of Themselves On and Off the Field
Weldon started the Olympia Baseball Club in June 2017. Over the years, their teams have grown as both need and opportunities arise. Today, says Weldon, “we have a unique group of men involved with the program who have rich baseball experience and knowledge. The coaches and players are tremendously aligned from a philosophy and teaching perspective. There is a standard for how the boys work and play, which will help the boys become the best versions of themselves on and off the field in the long run.”
Teams exist for players ages 10 to 18. Coach Zach Strong says that previous experience is required as “this level of baseball is definitely more advanced. We offer more intensive coaching and development, access to facilities and more practice time. There is a wealth of knowledge from people who have reached some high levels of baseball and know what it takes to get there. Most of our players aspire to play high school baseball and beyond, and we feel we know what it takes to help them on their journey to be successful athletes and people in the community.”
Covering All Bases with the Olympia Baseball Club
Weldon says he hopes their teams all go on to “grow as baseball players and build character, resiliency, selflessness and a pure love of the game. At the end of the day, we hope the boys and their families have great experiences and that everyone involved is better for participating in the program.”
Taber Lee explains that their Club focuses on developing six-tool athletes. “We emphasize excellence in throwing, fielding, hitting, speed, power and the cultivation of strong character,” he says. “By fostering both athletic skills and personal growth, we prepare our players not just for the game, but for life beyond the diamond.”
As the season approaches, the Olympia Baseball Club has already begun this year’s camps, personal training sessions and player development plans. They hope to grow their reputation in Washington’s baseball legacy one game at a time.
Players Aged 10 to 18 Learn Skill Development, Teamwork, Selflessness and Resilience
The Olympia Baseball Club is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Weldon is “incredibly grateful for the coaches and all of the additional volunteers who make this program what it has become. We are all volunteers, putting a massive amount of time and energy into doing this the right way. I’m very proud of what we’ve built, where we are now and the direction we are headed in the future.”
Strong agrees. Though new to their program, he quickly noticed the supportive, family-oriented culture and enthusiasm and energy of coaches and volunteers. His hope is for players to walk away from each season excited to come back for the next one.
Several of the coaches had their own kids work through the program as well. Reid Hamblet says he’s thankful to be a part of the Club and thrilled that his two younger sons can enjoy this experience themselves.
Families can reach out to olybaseballclub@gmail.com or follow the teams on the Game Changer app. Staff are happy to answer questions about try-outs and other opportunities. Then dig out your jersey and dust off your glove, it’s time to celebrate America’s favorite past-time.
