Kentucky fans will have a late night at Kentucky Proud Park Sunday. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Keith Madison won 737 games during his 25 years as Kentucky’s baseball coach from 1979-2033. However, nothing excites him quite like what coach Nick Mingione’s team has already done this year going into this weekend’s NCAA Tournament super regional against Oregon State.
“The fan and player involvement and interaction really excites me. That’s what I dreamed of — a park filled with fans having a good time and players playing great baseball,” said Madison on WPBK-FM Thursday. “I was always trying to push for better facilities and it is phenomenal to see BBN come together in a stadium like this and get that place rocking.
“Fans sat through a 1 1/2-hour rain delay last week so they wouldn’t lose their seats. That’s something special.”
Many fans may have to stay out past their normal bedtimes Sunday because the NCAA slated the second game of the super regional for a 9 p.m. start. Saturday’s opening game begins at 6 p.m.
“I can kind of understand ESPN wanting to make money and maybe figuring they would get more west coast viewers at 9 but it is a Sunday. People are off work and home,” Madison said. “Texas A&M has a lower seed than us and is hosting Oregon and they are playing in the afternoon. They could easily have had our game in the afternoon.”
Say amen BBN. It stinks to have the tournament’s No. 2 seed playing a 9 p.m. game.
Mingione is not complaining. He can’t. No, the NCAA would not like it if he did but he can’t complain because his players do not need to hear a negative mindset from the always optimistic coach. Mingione is citing the way UK fans turn out for late night basketball games as one reason not to worry. Of course, a 9 p.m. basketball game normally will end by 11. A 9 p.m. Kentucky baseball game could last until 1 a.m.
“I am disappointed about the start time because fans who do not live in Lexington and come to the game may not get home until 2 a.m. or later,” Madison said. “It’s just aggravating and personally I do not think it is fair. ESPN is calling the shots and making the money but it is just unfortunate that the No. 2 overall seed gets a 9 o’clock game.
“Big Blue Nation will still turn out and be there. But it is still aggravating.”
The super regional games are sold out which means about 7,000 tickets have been sold for each game.
It’s also a bit perplexing that Kentucky’s games are on ESPNU and ESPN+. Obviously, the older you are probably the more frustrating that is just from a logistics standpoint but also financially those two choices are not something everyone has access to.
“I know a lot of people will not be able to watch the games and again that is frustrating,” Madison said. “This is a historic season with a chance for the nation’s No. 2 team to earn its first trip to the College World Series. It just seems to me that it deserves more than a 9 o’clock game and ESPN+.”
Seems that way to me and a lot of UK fans too.
5 Responses
The "discretionary" decisions by the NCAA that affect UK have appeared biased for decades.
What is new here?
I have said for years that no matter what the NCAA, ESPN, CBS, etc. contracts state, local stations should be able to carry all high school, college, or university events they desire. They can work out arrangements to work together or whatever. Even the ESPN or SEC feeds could be run through local channels. Whatever works.
The public schools, at any level, belong to the people, not the administration, the Governor, or the State Legislators.
Coach Madison is sooo on point again, as is The Professors comments. You DONT DO THIS TO A #2 SEED cmon, tennesee played yesterday afternoon as the #1. I’d think a compromise of, say – 6 or 7pm woulda been the RIGHT 1st pitch call?! 🤔 Just go Win CATSCatscats! #WeAreUK
Cats doing an amazing job. It is terrible to have such a late start , especially for the number 2 seed as you say. So proud of these kids. Go cATS!! Show then u can win no matter what time u have to play .🐾🐾🐾
it was great Anita