Vicky Graff Photo
I am not sure I have ever been around a more optimistic person than Kentucky baseball coach Nick Mingione.
In or out of season, he’s happy and optimistic. If his team is playing well or poorly, he’s optimistic.
However, he’s also very proud of what his team has accomplished at UK to spark more interest in baseball.
“Season tickets are going great. Premium spaces are sold out. Some home plate reserved seating is still available,” Mingione said at UK’s Media Day. “We have had the top 15 record crowds in school history in my time here. This year we have 15 (Southeastern) conference games and 15 giveaways. Students will have a chance to earn cash, which they always like.
“Youth teams will be at games and it is important to have kids run on the field with us and stand on the field for the (national) anthem.”
He also urged fans who had season tickets but could not make a game to sell tickets or even give them away to fans who could attend.
Kentucky has aspirations of making the College World Series this season after losing to eventual national champion LSU in the Super Regional last year. However, Mingione bragged about more than batting averages and ERA when he threw out stats at Media DAy.
“Our guys crushed it academically (last semester). We had a 3.5 GPA. Thirteen of our players had a (perfect) 4.0 which is remarkable,” Mingione said. “Since June we have had 308 community service hours.
“(Athletics director) Mitch (Barnhart) made it clear that when you put that Kentucky jersey on it is about giving back and our guys continue to do that. Last year we had a bunch of unselfish guys and this team is the same. It’s a very unselfish team.
“To win a championship you have got to have the right people in your program. We have amazing people. We have an amazing stadium but what makes Kentucky special is the people.”
Mingione said winning a championship requires the right culture and that’s something a team must work on daily.
“Every year you have to start over. You rely on the players. It is their locker room. They are the greatest teachers,” Mingione said.
Mingione said the team wants to host a NCA Regional again this year like it did in 2023 when it had amazing fan support.
“It is really cool when you get to host. You can win a championship on your own campus,” the UK coach said. “In our sport we get to host. You saw what BBN did at Kentucky Proud Park. To not only host a regional but to be a national seed is extremely important for our program.”
One Response
Nice to hear a UK athletics coach say the right things, and not only say them, but put action behind them, and hold his kids to the same standards and accountability. And also acknowledging appreciation for the fans and BBN…….If only all our coaches here could do that and show that. Good luck to the UK baseball team this year– another sport where competing in the SEC is a grind every day–but as the coach says, if u have a group of unselfish guys who play for each other and are focused on success as a TEAM–they can accomplish anything! Best of luck, BAT CATS!!!