Coach James Hattenstein was hired to oversee the baseball program at Bishop State in August of 2017. In three full years and a shortened covid season, the Wildcats have attained many achievements on and off the field. Notably the Wildcats have achieved an increase in winning percentage, numerous accomplishments in the classroom, and significant success on the mound.

In 2018, Coach Hattenstein’s first pitching staff reduced the team ERA by nearly two runs per game. Thus in 2019, the Wildcats pitching staff finished with a stellar 3.65 in conference ERA. In 2021, the pitching staff finished the season ranked top ten in the nation in walks allowed (7th) and earned runs allowed (8th), while also finishing with the third lowest ERA in Region 22.

Bishop State players have been honored 23 times as NJCAA Academic All-Americans. The 2019 and 2020, Wildcats were also identified as an All-Academic Team by the ABCA. During his four-year stint at Bishop a large majority of Coach Hattenstein’s athletes have received their degree, while 38 Wildcats have moved on to play baseball at the four-year level.

Coach Hattenstein brings more than 20 years of coaching experience to Bishop State Community College. He served as an assistant coach at Bishop State, University of Mobile, Mary G. Montgomery High, LeFlore High, and Daphne High. As a head coach, he guided his teams at Citronelle and LeFlore to three area championships, four Alabama High School Playoff appearances, while winning over 150 games as a head coach. Coach Hattenstein holds a master’s degree in Physical Education from the University of Mobile as well as a master’s level certificate in Educational Leadership from The University of South Alabama. Also serving four years as an Assistant Principal at Saraland Middle School.

Coach Hattenstein prides himself in being a local product. He is a 1991 graduate of Bishop State and a 1994 graduate of The University of South Alabama. While at South Alabama Coach Hattenstein was a pitcher on the 1993 South Regional team that were six out from the NCAA College World Series, losing to eventual NCAA World Series Champion LSU. Upon graduating from college Coach Hattenstein played two years of professional baseball for the Mobile Baysharks and Grand Forks Varmints. He and his wife of over 20 years, Sharon, live in Spanish Fort and have two daughters, Alana and Alyssa