The Academie Baseball Canada has undergone a significant shift in their operational model over the past year.

And with it comes high expectations for what is one of Canada’s most recognizable programs.

“It all started with a huge report done by the firm Better Sports,” Marc Berube, ABC’s new Director of Performance and former Oakland Athletics minor league pitcher said. “They analyzed the structure and identified problems, then suggested possible solutions. Baseball Quebec decided to act right away and follow the suggestions that were made. That's when they made some changes, imitating the pro structure.”

The new regime is led by former Philadelphia Phillies reliever and ABC graduate Jesen Therrien, who takes over as the Director of Operations. Therrien’s role has him overseeing the entire program. Everything from strategic planning, to budgeting, and identifying new sources of funding, all while making sure the athletes are taken care of and performing at the top of their game. 

But he has Berube at his side, and together they hope to create a culture shift that allows players to flourish both on and off the field.

“This whole process has created a new culture,” Berube said. “The athletes are at the centre of our priorities. They are learning about themselves through baseball, and that makes them better people in life, as well as in baseball.”

Berube’s main priority is focused around creating an optimal training environment for the players. To do this he works with the coaches and an impressive support staff that includes nutritionists, mental performance coaches, an athletic therapist, a strength and conditioning coach, a sprint coach, and an orthopaedic surgeon.

“My work is only as good as the people surrounding me,” he said. “It's an incredible training environment. The players are taken care of pretty much like an Olympic athlete. There is a ton of experience around them. Everyone is having fun. Everyone is getting better.”

The academy has already produced big leaguers in Therrien and Seattle Mariners infielder Abraham Toro, and the expectations for the program after this shift in leadership includes more of the same. How they plan to accomplish that takes many forms.

“The fundamental part of the training environment is to motivate the players,” Berube explains. “We do that in different ways. The players need to have fun, but the players also need to have fun doing the things that aren't necessarily fun. That's where we add in the inspiration part. First, we make sure they have goals and that they are working towards them. Then, our staff holds them accountable and act as role models. We hold ourselves accountable to high standards and I think that inspires the players to do the same.”

Having members of the organization like Therrien and Berube, who have been in their shoes and accomplished what they hope to accomplish, to look up to gives the players the opportunity to turn their dreams into a reality.

With all the resources and expertise recently brought into the program, the players are expected to bring their best effort to the table. Watching them grow as both baseball players and young men is what makes it all worthwhile for Berube and the staff.

“We know they are kids, and they need to be kids, but the greatest thing for us is to see them becoming men,” he said. “They are behaving like mini-pros. They come in with their work boots everyday, with a big smile, ready to win the day.”

The pieces, and the mindset, are in place for the program to be a breeding ground for college and professional prospects for years to come.

“We've always said that we want to be the best program. Period,” Berube said. “We want to give the players the best we have. We all have trouble settling for less here. We have high expectations of our players and we'll hold ourselves to the same standards as a staff. Our motto is: we're not here to win, we're here to dominate.”

And dominate they just might.