“There are only two decisions.
Is A better than B?
When is it, it?”
Ben Himes Bio
Ben Himes has been a professional hitting coach for over 15 years. His passion is for developing baseball athletes in his home town of Austin, TX, as well as being an ambassador to international baseball. His company, Ben Himes Batting, llc. employs many full-time coaches who were either former professional or college players. He regularly volunteers his time and money giving back to the west Austin baseball community where he grew up. Ben’s college students number in the hundreds, and many of his former professional students are now colleagues. Please visit his testimonials page.
Ben was drafted out of high school, but chose to play in college. He played in both the NAIA and NCAA, as well as the famous Cape Cod League. Ben was an All-American, Collegiate Player of the Year, boasted 26 home runs his senior year, and was a 9th round draft pick by the Cincinnati Reds. Playing for the Reds and Yankees during his career allowed Ben to work with some of the best hitters & hitting coaches in professional baseball, including: Ken Griffey Sr. & Jr., Alonzo Powell, Keith Lytle, Leon Roberts, Jim Hickman, Kevin Long, Joe Arault, Chris Sabo, and Max Venable. Many of whom Ben consults with regularly in order to help younger players navigate the large amounts of confusing information regarding what creates a good swing and what is being taught at the modern Major League level.
Education
Undergrad: Texas A&M University, degree in Neurophysiology.
Post-grad: Researcher at the University of Texas Neuroscience Lab, The Maddox Lab.
Certifications: Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES), Certified Fitness Trainer (CFT).
After baseball, Ben focused his attention on researching the neuroscience behind what makes successful athletes. His research focused on learning, recognition, focus, and athletic flow states. He uses these principles every day when developing baseball athletes. In 2010 Ben opened a 16,000 square foot athletic training facility that housed many of Austin’s best baseball athletes during its time (you can view a highlight of that facility here). Now, his company employs eight skill coaches and two strength and conditioning specialists. He also runs a collegiate baseball recruiting service for high school athletes whose goal is to play in college. Ben has been hitting coordinator, coach, and consultant for select and professional baseball organizations, including the German Bundesliga Champions, the Heidenheim Heidekopfe. He travels to Europe often, hosting clinics, traveling with youth teams to tournaments in order to help expand the sport, including the Nettuno Baseball Club in Italy.
“European baseball is beautiful, and it is everywhere. Youth to professional. Russia has teams, Croatia has teams. Spring training is on the Mediterranean. I encourage everyone to support European baseball.”
Ben is also a student of martial arts and has studied Brazilian jiu-jitsu for over 15 years. Regularly volunteering his time to teach both Jiu-Jitsu and women’s self-defense in Austin. Ben is a Renzo Gracie Black Belt, and has developed a system of promotion and progression for hitters that is similar to colored belts in Jiu-Jitsu. A very popular program among his dedicated students. Only six “black sleeves” have ever been awarded.
Ben's hitting and athletic development programs produce top-tier collegiate athletes every year. Many colleges consult with him when looking for high-level academic student-athletes. He has also helped many professionals excel during their careers, as well as find their place in baseball after their playing careers. Ben truly cares about the game and the athletes who pursue it. His company provides skill training for all baseball specialties, provides strength and conditioning for baseball athletes, and recruiting services for aspiring collegiate student-athletes.