Whether you want to fine tune your mechanics, improve your bat speed, or work on your mental approach to the plate, our hitting instructors are experienced in assisting players of any level improve their hitting skills.

​Erik Lis - Hitting Coordinator

• Co-Founder of Baseball Institute. 
• Played collegiate baseball at University of Evansville. 
• Played professionally in the Twins Organization.
  • Spent seven years with the Twins.
  • Peaked at Triple-A. 
• From Oak Lawn, Illinois. 

Get to know Erik: erik_lis_bio_.pdf

Josh Altmann

• Played collegiate baseball at Olivet-Nazarene University. 
• Drafted by the Texas Rangers in 2015 in the 22nd round. 
• Currently in high-A. 
• From Lockport, Illinois.

Get to know Josh: josh_altmann_bio__.pdf

​Carson Bartels

• Played collegiate baseball at St. John's University and Heartland Community College
• Earned first team All-Big East Conference Honors in 2021 as starting 2nd baseman in 36 of 37 appearances, batting .279 with 26 RBI's, 9 doubles and 2 home runs.
• Currently In his first season with the Southern Illinois Miners of the Frontier League.
• Previously a three year varsity standout for Nazareth Academy. 
• Carson had the second best average of .282 during league play and hit .319 over his last 39 games, with 16 multi-hit games. 

Jake Bartels

• Played collegiate baseball at Western Michigan University.
  • Served as Closer for all four seasons
  • 7th All-time in single season saves and appearances 
• Currently attends The John Marshall Law School
• From Westchester, Illinois
• Get to know Jake: jake_bartels_bio_.pdf

Ron Biga

• Played collegiate baseball at Triton Community College and St.
  Xavier University. 
• Managed professionally for the Sioux City Explorers and
  Southern Illinois Miners. 
• Retired Field Manager and Dir. of Baseball Operations for the Windy City Thunderbolts.
• From Chicago, Illinois.

Get to know Ron: ron_biga_bio_.pdf

Ryan Haff

• Played collegiate baseball at the University of Illinois. 
  • Member of the 2015 Super Regional Team 
  • Big Ten Regular Season Champions 
• Holds a Finance Degree and MBA from the University of Illinois 
• Hinsdale Central Graduate 
  • Holds the record for triples hit and runs scored 

​Steve Heilenbach

• Played 4 seasons at Illinois State University
• Played Independently with the Windy City Thunderbolts
• Was a 1st Round Pick of the Frontier League Draft
• Named 2nd Team All-Missouri Valley
• From Western Springs, IL

Jimmy Heintz

Info Coming Soon!

Kevin Kaczmarski

• Played collegiate baseball at the University of Evansville. 
• Drafted in 2015 in the 9th round by the New York Mets
  •  Made Major League Debut in June of 2018 with the NY Mets
  • Ended the 2018 season in AAA.
• From Cary, Illinois.
• Get to know Kevin: Full Length Bio

Scott Popiwchak

• Played Collegiate Baseball at Illinois State
• Played in the Independent Northern Great Lakes League 
• Coached at Romeoville High School  
• 20+ years of Coaching Experience 
• Graduated from Weber High School out of the Chicago Catholic League ​

Connor Powers

• Played collegiate baseball at Mississippi State University. 
• Drafted in 2010 by the Padres.
• Played three seasons with the Padres. 
• Founder and operator of Dead Red Hitting
• From Naperville, Illinois.

Email: connor@baseball-institute.com

Jake Suchor

• Pitched for the University of Saint Francis (Joliet) 
  • Earned a bachelors degree in Business Management (Spring of 2021)
• Played at Joliet Junior College
  • Hit .410 and pitched 52 innings his Sophomore Year
• Graduated from Lockport Township High School in 2017 
• Favorite Hobby: Disc Golf ​

Jim Falzone

• Grew up in Melrose Park and attended Fenwick High School
• Attended Triton College where he became 1st team All-American 
  • Posted a school record .495 batting average and 110 RBIs in a single season
• Attended Cumberland University where he was drafted in the 18th round by the Brewers
• Reached High A in the Florida State League
• Coached Willowbrook High School for three years as well as returned to coach catchers and hitters at Triton college for several years

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