Ben Rice’s Dad to Pitch in Home Run Derby

Ben Rice, the Yankees’ rising slugger, has tapped a familiar face for his Home Run Derby opponent—his father, Dan. The Massachusetts native explained that he works out with his dad every offseason, driving more than an hour from Cohasset to take batting practice on a local field.

Diverse father‑son combos have already made their mark in the Derby. Cal Raleigh and his dad Todd paired up last year, while Bryce Harper (2018) and Robinson Cano (2011) also won with their fathers behind the mound, showing the trend can pay off on the big stage.

Why Ben Picked Dan as His Pitcher

Rice chose Dan after years of informal sessions that went beyond simple drills. “He’d try to throw me off‑balance with different pitches and have me work through situations,” Rice said, noting that the focus was on becoming a good hitter rather than perfecting a swing.

Dan’s background adds a unique twist. He pitched for Brown University in the 1980s, graduating in 1986, and has spent more than three decades as an employment‑law attorney. Yet he calls his most important role “being a father” and has been throwing to Ben since he could swing a bat.

Meet Dan Rice: From Lawsuits to Tennis Balls

Dan’s coaching style started with an “L Screen,” an odd suburban contraption he used to launch tennis balls at a toddler Ben. As the boy grew, they progressed to little‑league fields and eventually to more advanced hitting spots. In 2024, when Ben made his MLB debut, Dan admitted he had feared even imagining the moment.

Outside baseball, Dan’s LinkedIn lists his work as “representation of parties in employment disputes before state and federal courts and administrative agencies.” He balances that career with a lifelong habit of sending pitches—literally and figuratively—down the aisle to his son.

From Cohasset to the Bronx: Ben’s Path

Ben grew up in Cohasset, a town southwest of Boston, and has been a Yankees fan since youth, citing Derek Jeter as his favorite player. He started as a hockey player before discovering baseball, eventually earning a spot at Dartmouth College. The COVID‑19 pandemic disrupted much of his college career, but the Yankees seized on his potential, launching him toward the Bronx.

Now, with Dan set to take the mound against him in the Home Run Derby, the two Rice men aim to add another winning story to the growing list of father‑son successes in the contest. Their bond, built on decades of practice and a shared love for the game, could turn heads when the lights come up at the derby arena.