Delta School District

John Haar

Head Coach

John Haar, Head Coach of the Sands Baseball Academy brings with him three decades of high-level baseball experience. John was an all round athlete at the University of British Columbia, being named Varsity Athlete of the Year in 1968.

His professional career as a player included several years in the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants; he has also served as guest coach with the Toronto Blue Jays. As a coach and manager, John has led Canada's national teams on numerous occasions.

John has been inducted into the Canadian Baseball of Fame on two occasions, first in 1992 along with the entire 1991 team that he led to the first and only Canadian National Youth World Championship; then again in 2007 for his outstanding contributions to Canadian Baseball as manager, coach and long time contributor to the sport of baseball.

John's tremendous wealth of knowledge and clear passion for the game are the foundation for the Delta School District's successful Baseball Academy.

Bob Burkmar

Assistant Coach

Bob has worked tirelessly for over 30 years as a coach, manager and executive member of the North Delta Baseball Association. For many years he has also been the coach of the Blue Jays in the Premier Baseball League. Bob is certified to Level III in the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). He has assisted in the development of many outstanding baseball players including Jeff Francis of the Colorado Rockies and Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins. Bob was recently inducted into the Delta Sports Hall of Fame for his contributions to North Delta Baseball.

Bob assists John on field and is a significant influence in the organization and growth of the academy.

Bill Stebbings

Managing Teacher

Bill attended university in the United States on a baseball scholarship as a pitcher. Bill has been a teacher and counsellor in Delta for 34 years, working at both Burnsview and Seaquam Secondary. While at Seaquam, Bill coached basketball for 20 years. He also coached baseball in North Delta for 17 years and was inducted into the Delta Sports Hall of Fame for his contributions as a coach.

Bill's wealth of experience as a coach is an asset to the Sands Baseball academy.