June 12, 2014
Register for Hitting Camp | Register for 5 Tool Camp | Camp Flyer
Dear Parents and Campers,
HEAD COACH Gary Henderson
Long considered one of the top pitching coaches in college baseball, Gary Henderson is in his sixth year as the head coach of Kentucky and his 11th season overall with the Wildcats after spending five seasons as the associate head coach.
Henderson, who was UK’s associate head coach, recruiting coordinator and pitching coach for five years before becoming the 25th head coach in the history of Wildcat baseball on June 6, 2008, has been a cornerstone in the success of the UK program over the past decade, which includes the best 10-year run in the over 100-year history of the program. Henderson has helped transform the Wildcats into an annual national contender with a dynamic recruiting approach, an attention to fundamentals, a diversity of skills and a constant eye on the mental approach to the game.
The Wildcats are coming off a 30-win season in 2013 that saw UK ranked in the top-25 for 12 of 15 weeks. Kentucky again took aim at the UK record book under Henderson’s tutelage, as UK set a new program record for bullpen ERA, with UK boasting a dynamic relief corps that included record-shattering closer Trevor Gott. UK sported a 2.29 bullpen ERA, went 25-0 when staked to an eighth inning lead and finished the year winning 88 consecutive games when leading after eight innings, dating back to 2011. UK also had the third-best fielding percentage in school annals, with two of the top three marks coming under Henderson’s eye.
Kentucky again made a splash in the MLB Draft in 2013, as Corey Littrell (fourth round), Gott (fifth round), J.T. Riddle (11th round) and Jerad Grundy (12th round) were all signed to their first professional contracts.
Henderson’s impact on the UK program can be seen directly in the amount of talent it is producing, as UK has averaged a staggering 6.75 MLB Draft picks or free agent signings since 2006, after averaging 2.17 MLB Draft picks per season before the 2006 SEC Championship season. Overall, Henderson has seen 24 of his pitchers drafted at Kentucky and a total of 57 of the 156 players drafted in program history have come under his watch, a staggering 37 percent.
UK is just a year removed from a 2012 campaign that ranked as the best in the history of the program, with Henderson voted Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year by the league coaches. Henderson directed the Wildcats to a school-record 45-win season, with UK completing its best finishes in the SEC and NCAA Tournaments in school annals.
Following the season, a school-record nine UK players were selected in the 2012 MLB Draft, the second-most in the NCAA and the Wildcats sent a nation-leading nine players from its 2013 roster to play in the Cape Cod League or on the USA Collegiate National Team. Henderson’s impact on the UK program can be seen directly in the amount of talent it is producing, as UK has averaged a staggering 7.29 MLB Draft picks or free agent signings since 2006, after averaging 2.17 MLB Draft picks per season before the 2006 SEC Championship season. In addition, UK ranks second in the NCAA with 15 players on its 2013 roster that have been drafted in their careers, speaking to a dearth of talent on the club.
During the summer of 2012, Henderson started working with USA Baseball, serving as an instructor during the USA Baseball 14-U National Development Team Program, joining Arizona State head coach Tim Esmay on the USA staff, along with former New York Yankees general manager Bob Watson.Henderson and his wife, Vicki, have two sons, Alex and Ty.
Our Camps are specifically designed to help players improve their individual skills. The drill work and one-on-one instruction have made Wildcat Baseball Camps an incredible success and we are dedicated to continuing this instructional excellence again this year.
We have assembled an “All-Star” staff to work closely with each camper and teach him the proper techniques to succeed in baseball. Our instructors will consist of UK Baseball Coaches, current and former UK players, as well as outstanding local high school and college coaches. This staff will provide a terrific learning environment for each camper to show us his baseball talents.
All of our summer camps will be held in Cliff Hagan Stadium. We look forward to seeing you there!
WILDCAT HITTING CAMP – GRADES 9-12
July 1, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. – $135
This intense hitting camp will provide the high school player with superior instruction on all facets of hitting, including mechanics, drill work and various presentations. Every camper is videotaped to ensure the highest quality hitting analysis by our staff.
5 TOOL CAMP – GRADES 9-12
August 31, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. – $149
5 Tool Camp combines instruction and competition while offering the high school player an opportunity to receive expert instruction from the University of Kentucky Baseball Coaching Staff as well as select visiting college coaches. Campers will be grouped by position and will have the opportunity to work out at their positions. The UK staff will also include various presentations concerning the recruiting process, strength and conditioning, etc. and all sessions are on the UK Baseball facilities.
How to Register
Our camps fill up quickly and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration may be completed by mail or online.
Mail: Complete the registration form
, include check or money order for full amount or non-refundable deposit ($50) and mail no later than two weeks from the first day of camp to:
2014 University of Kentucky Baseball Camps
Accounting Office, Joe Craft Center, 338 Lexington Avenue
Lexington, KY 40506-0604
Online:
Register for Hitting Camp | Register for 5 Tool Camp Full payments or $50 deposit, by credit card and electronic checks, are accepted for online registration. Online registration will be open through noon on the Friday before camp begins.
In person: In the event that space is available, walk-up registrations will be accepted. A $10 late fee will apply for walk-up registration. Cash or personal or cashier/certified checks only.
A $50 non-refundable deposit must accompany each application. Balance may be paid at camp check-in in the form of cash, personal checks, or cashier/certified check.
Camp fee includes camp t-shirt and lunch.
Medical Information and Requirements
The University of Kentucky requires:
- a signed Parental Consent Statement
(also included in camp flyer
), - proof of a physical, dated within one year of camp. (The physical may be mailed separately from the application or presented to the camp trainer at check-in) Physician’s Statement is acceptable in lieu of a physical, and
- a copy of the front and back of camper’s health insurance card.
Confirmation
Campers will receive a confirmation email upon receipt of application and deposit.
Checklist of Things to Bring
Baseball items: one cap, one pair of tennis-type shoes, baseball cleats/spikes, baseball glove, bat, practice shorts, baseball pants or sweat pants, athletic socks, supporter, practice shirts. All campers may wish to bring spending money for souvenirs and concessions. All personal items should be labeled. We ask that you please do not bring valuables.
Check-In HITTING CAMP JULY 1
7:30am – 8:45am at Cliff Hagan Stadium
Check-In 5 TOOL CAMP AUGUST 31
7:30am – 8:45am at Cliff Hagan Stadium
SIBLING DISCOUNT & MULTI CAMP DISCOUNT
- Sibling discount available for families with more than one camper.
1 camper: Regular Price 2 camper(s): Save $15! - Multi-camp discount available to campers attending multiple sessions.
2 camps: Save $20! - Team discounts of 5 or more campers from the same team are available, call for more info.
QUESTIONS?
Call 859-257-8052 or email ukbaseballcamps@gmail.com
