University of Kentucky head baseball coach Keith Madison will be at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville Jan. 4-7 to take partin the American Baseball Coaches Association’s yearly convention. Madison, who will begin his 23rd year as coach of theWildcats, is currently serving as President of the ABCA.

More than 3,000 college and high school coaches are expected to attend this weekend’s convention. The ABCA hasmore than 6,000 members, including coaches from every state in the country and over 200 international members. TheABCA also provides the world’s largest baseball clinic to young players.

Professional baseball player Alex Rodriguez of the Texas Rangers will serve as one of the featured speakers during theconvention. Rodriguez, a four-time Major League Baseball All-Star, recently signed the richest contract in MLB history.

The main objective of the Association is educational in nature: to help improve the level of coaching. ABCA assists in thepromotion of baseball and acts as a sounding board and spokesperson on issues concerning the various levels of baseball.

Further, the Association promotes camaraderie and rapport among all baseball coaches, including that betweenprofessional and amateur levels. Recognition is given deserving players and coaches through several special sponsorshipprograms.