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.
Evan Fahrner
Evan grew up in Peoria, Illinois and played baseball for Bradley University where he was selected first team all conference in 1999 as a pitcher.
He was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 1999 after his junior year at Bradley and also played in the Chicago Cubs, Oakland A’s, Philadelphia Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays minor league organizations over a 9 year playing career.
He has over 15 years of coaching and pitching lessons experience.
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.
Courtney Smith
Courtney is a native of the Bahamas where he was the top catching prospect in his class. In 2018 he signed with the Texas Rangers where he played professionally. Courtney has coached an academy in the Bahamas for 2 years where he dedicated himself to player development. He is a certified strength and conditioning trainer and a catcher/fielding coordinator.
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.