Coaches ~ 2025-2026
Jon Halland
GA Sandlot Owner/Head Coach 17U
Coach Jon Halland is the Owner of GA Sandlot Baseball. He was drafted by the Seattle Mariners after playing at Arizona State University.
Coach Halland co-founded the Arizona Sandlot Baseball organization in 2004. His goal is to bring his knowledge and experience to Georgia where GA Sandlot will be available at all age levels.
Dan Rumsey
From San Diego, CA; High School - Mt Carmel: All American 1985; College - Arizona State University: All American 1988-1989; Drafted 1989 - San Francisco Giants 1989-1992; Traded to California Angels 1992-1995; California Angels Organization Player/Coach
Present: Asst. Baseball & Hitting Coach - Sprayberry High School
After my professional career in baseball, I have assisted in the coaching arena at the college, high school, and youth levels across the country. My education at Arizona State University was a combination of Kinesiology and Chemistry. As well as coaching baseball, I have assisted athletes from the professional level, down to the age of 13 in strength training, which I believe is paramount for an athlete to perform at their highest level with the lowest possibility of injury. I’ve devoted my life to encouraging and enhancing any athlete that wants to pursue their career in their particular sport. Especially baseball which is my passion. I’ve had the privilege of raising 5 grown children and now am blessed to have 3 grandchildren, which I’m certain there will be more to come in the future.
I look forward to working with the Sandlot and being part of their team and success.
Courtney Ward
Coach Ward was a 3-year letterman starter of the Lovejoy High School varsity baseball team. There, he was a 2x Clayton County all star starter; 2 time most outstanding hitter; 2011 all region first team; 2009 & 2010 all region honorable mention.
After high school, Courtney went on to play at Miles College and Jackson State University, a Division 1 school in Jackson, Mississippi.
Coach Ward is in his 2nd year coaching at North Atlanta High school and first year as the JV head coach with a record of 15-1.
Andrew Swanson
Andrew is a dedicated and experienced baseball coach with a distinguished background, both as a player and a mentor. His baseball journey began with a standout collegiate career, earning the prestigious title of 2017 TCCAA Conference Player of the Year and an NJCAA Division I and All-American Honorable Mention. Andrew played one year at Georgia College, two years at Dyersburg State, and concluded his playing career at Tennessee Tech, where he graduated Cum Laude with a major in Interdisciplinary Studies and minors in Exercise Science and Communication.
With over five years of coaching experience, Andrew has developed a comprehensive approach to player development, focusing on hitting, fielding, nutrition, strength and conditioning, and teamwork. He has successfully designed and implemented functional nutrition and training programs tailored to enhance athletic performance. Andrew’s commitment to holistic player development includes mentoring athletes on practical tactics and strategies to overcome failure and mental roadblocks.
Andrew’s dedication to the sport and his players has made him a respected figure in the baseball community, known for his ability to inspire and elevate the performance of his teams and individual athletes.
Theo Hassan
Coach Hassan is a Native of College Park where he was a 4 year letterman of the Lovejoy High School varsity baseball team. There, as a middle infielder and switch hitter, Theo earned 2 consecutive All-Region 2nd Basemen awards.
After high school, Theo went on to play at Jackson State University, a Division 1 school in Jackson, Mississippi. There, Theo earned 2 Championship Rings. He also earned his way to being one of the Top closers of his team. Appearing in over 100+ innings, Theo was able to throw consistently 94mph and as hard as 96mph.
Brian Hampton
Brian Hampton is a native of East Cobb where he grew up playing football, basketball and baseball. He played basketball and football at Pope High School and went on to play football for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where he was a 3+ year starter at QB and 2 time captain.
Since graduating from college, Brian has coached all three sports at all levels from tee-ball, to high school, to college football. Brian has been a coach at East Side since 2014 where he has coached over 20 seasons, including Summer Allstars. He has been the head coach of the East Side Thunder/Diamondbacks/Sandlot for the past 6 years.
Jon Brinson
My athletic background has always been split between two distinctly different sports – baseball and racquetball. When I was a boy, I dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player. That dream ended in college (Campbell University in NC). “Life after baseball” has led me to 6 years as a professionally sponsored racquetball player, 15+ years of competitive/tourney softball (fastpitch and slowpitch) and 6+ years of coaching 9U – 12U baseball (Sandy Springs and East Side).
Over the course of thousands of games on the field, I’ve been fortunate to receive a lot of amazing instruction/advice from coaches, instructors, and teammates (including former professional players). Looking back at it all, I wish I knew what I know now back when I was chasing my dream. That “wish” helps fuel my passion for coaching kid’s baseball. In the 9U – 12U space, it is important to build a foundation rooted in sound mechanics, mental and physical toughness and learning the on-field baseball IQ items that will differentiate as you progress in the game. My promise as a coach is to be a positive role model in helping the kids build these foundational baseball skills in a fun, team-focused environment that will allow them to forge friendships and learn important life lessons as they progress on their baseball journey.
