History Of The North Delta Blue Jays

The North Delta Blue Jays are one of British Columbia’s most respected elite youth baseball programs.

• The program was founded in 1995 and joined the B.C. Premier Baseball League in 1999
• Home field: Mackie Park in North Delta
• Built from a strong grassroots system tied to the North Delta Baseball Association, which dates back to 1962

From the beginning, the Blue Jays were designed as a high-performance development program—a place where top local players could stay in Delta instead of leaving for bigger centres.

Evolution into the Delta Blue Jays

In 2022, the program expanded and rebranded:

• The North Delta Blue Jays and Delta Tigers unified under the name Delta Blue Jays
• This reflected the entire City of Delta pipeline (North Delta, Ladner, Tsawwassen)

More recently, the program has achieved national success:

• 3 consecutive Baseball Canada National Championships (Ray Carter Cup)
• Establishing Delta as a national powerhouse in youth baseball.

Recently we talked about the growth and development of the Delta Islanders Lacrosse program dating back to the initial start to present day given the number of players who have come through the program noting that they have produced some of Canada’s top baseball talent.

When we reflect on the number of players who have come through the North Delta system which shows the overall ability to develop major league talent that made it to  play in the MLB and beyond.

Reaching the major level of the game are the following three with others reaching various levels of the game.

• Justin Morneau
  • 2006 American League MVP
  • One of Canada’s greatest hitters
• James Paxton
  • MLB pitcher (Seattle Mariners, Yankees, others)
• Jeff Francis
  • Longtime MLB starter (Colorado Rockies)

Advancing beyond the MLB are dozens of players who have advanced to other levels of the game playing in the NCAA baseball (U.S. colleges), Canadian college programs as well as summer leagues and national teams.

In addition to developing players one such player who advanced his skill to the pro level of the game is Brent Lavallee who turned his attention from playing hockey as a goaltender to his focus as a manager.

He attended the Louisiana State University where he stayed the next dozen years earning a degree in general studies in 2009 and a masters degree in Human Kinesiology in 2012.

While attending graduate school he served as a graduate assistant coach in 2011-2012 eventually  moving to an assistant coach position for the 2013-2016 seasons before taking on the 2017-2019 seasons. 

Using data he helped improve his players’ performance which helped add to his success at Shreveport being named the Red River Athletic Conference coach of the year in 2017 and 2019 collecting an impressive record of 126-56 as the skipper of the Pilots baseball program, 396-147 with five conference titles, seven conference tournament titles plus two appearances in the NAIA World Series in his nine seasons on the program’s staff.

Given his record the Jays hired him to manage the Vancouver Canadians in 2020 before COVID-19 forced cancellation of the minor league season. 

He managed the FCL Blue Jays in 2021, the Vancouver Canadians (2022-2024)  leading the C’s to the Northwest League championship finals three consecutive years, winning in 2023 that saw him named League’s Manager of the Year in 2024.

Travel takes its toll on everyone and while he might like a “home cooked meal from Mom” that might be a while considering that the Jays moved him 3,000 miles east in 2025 promoting him to manager of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

The Blue Jays are not just a team – they are a development pipeline focused on what is known as the grassroots to elite pathway which all starts with North Delta Baseball Association (ages 5+) and progresses through, House baseball, Rep (A/AA/AAA), the Premier (BCPBL) and finishing up with College  and pro opportunities of the sport.

Understanding what is known as the “full ladder system” helps keep athletes playing locally while developing elite skills.

It goes without say that the overall winner of their program is what is has on the community growth impact the program which attracts hundreds of kids registered annually in Delta baseball programs, creation of new teams like the North Delta Pirates (18U AAA) to retain older players as well as the increased field usage, training programs, and offseason development.

The program has reduced player migration to other associations and also strengthened Delta’s identity as one of the major baseball hubs in the province of BC.

I would be remiss if I failed to mention that the success of the Blue Jays deeply dives into and it is tied to the coaching leadership.

Reflecting on some of the key influential coaches within the organization are some listed below which deserve to be recognized for their dedication and devotion to develop up and coming young players.

Ernie Hawkins

• A legendary figure in North Delta baseball
• Coached for decades
• Known for:
  • Player-first approach
  • Preparing athletes for college and beyond
• Helped shape the culture of the program

Bob Burkmar

• Instrumental in bringing Premier Baseball League to North Delta
• Helped launch the Blue Jays in the mid-1990s
• Longtime GM and coach

Jack Thompson

• Modern-era head coach
• Focus on high-performance training and player development
• Founder of 5 Tool Baseball training program

Other Contributors

• Gerry White – successful transition-era coach
• Jeff Stebbings – long-time development coach in Delta
• Numerous volunteer coaches and parents who sustain the system

Overall the program grows the sport in delta understanding that the Blue Jays’ impact in Delta goes far beyond simple wins and championships while rebuilding the program on any loss handed their way noting that the following play an instrumental role in the program.

1. Player Retention

• Keeps elite players in Delta instead of leaving for Vancouver programs

2. Role Models

• MLB alumni inspire young athletes
• Creates belief: “You can make it from here”

3. Coaching Development

• Coaches mentor younger coaches
• Strong baseball IQ passed through generations

4. Community Identity

• Delta becomes known province-wide for baseball
• Events, tournaments, and championships bring attention to the city

I would be foolish to say that the future of the program clearly evolves only around the Delta Blue Jays alone.

We should mention that the Delta Blue Jays program as successful as it is should be recognized due to a nationally recognized development system, a feeder to college and pro baseball while playing a key part of Delta’s sports culture.

We also mention that the continued grassroots growth relies on strong coaching leadership while growing what is known as a National Championship pedigree.

The Blue Jays program is and continues to be well positioned to remain one of Canada’s premier baseball pipelines to the pro level of the game.

Thanks to not just the coaching and management persons who have helped to grow the program but also the numerous volunteers who without their help and assistance the program would fail.

Sportswave congratulates the Delta Blue Jays and wishes them continued success with their program.