Sharp End Athletics

An Austin native, Himes played baseball for Texas A&M University before making it into the minor leagues. He played with the Cincinnati Reds from 2003-07 and then played with the New York Yankees for one year before experiencing a back injury that it took him out of the game professionally.

“That injury is a big part of my passion behind helping these kids get there,” he said.

The company specializes in training youth, high school and collegiate baseball teams, Himes said. Its youth teams run year-round and cater to players ages 10-14. Sharp End Baseball’s collegiate team is a summer-only program.

He said he expects the college team to qualify for the National Baseball Congress World Series in July.

“The team is going to be really good this year,” he said.

Sharp End regularly awards scholarships to cover expenses for its baseball team members as well as players who make it onto a college team.

“We stay in touch with our athletes during season,” he said. “When they need us, we’re here.”

Himes opened Sharp End in 2009 at the former South Congress Athletic Club, near South Congress Avenue and Academy Drive. Sharp End now operates out of a 15,000-square-foot facility at 10508 Boyer Blvd.

Since moving to its North Austin location in 2013, Sharp End’s client base has surged, Himes said.

“The way Austin is growing, this facility is right in the middle of everything,” he said.

[g-gallery gid="74616"]

Sharp End Athletics, 10508 Boyer Blvd., Ste. A, 512-695-7376, www.sharpendathletics.com, Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 8 a.m.-2 p.m.