2024 Wildcat Labor Day Weekend Elite Camp
2024 Wildcat Labor Day Weekend Elite Camp
September 1, 2024
10:00AM – 2:00PM
WILDCAT LABOR DAY WEEKEND ELITE CAMP
Kentucky Baseball’s Elite Prospect Camp is designed for the camper who wants to be trained to compete at the highest level. Campers will be receiving advanced training by the Kentucky coaching staff. Anyone 8th grade and older will get a chance to showcase their skills in front of college coaches and learn about advanced techniques to showcase their own abilities at the highest level. Campers will receive the highest level of instruction in all phases of baseball: pitching, defense, hitting, training, and preparation. Each participant will receive a T-Shirt when they arrive.
Camp Details
- Age Group: 8th grade and older.
- Time: 10:00AM – 2:00PM
- Check-in: 9:35AM – 10:00AM
- Kentucky Proud Park
- Online registration: $150
- Walk-up registration: $150
(On-line registration will close at midnight on August 31. After this time campers are asked to arrive 45 min. prior to the start of camp with a current medical physical, medical insurance card, and payment of $150 cash or check)
- Non-refundable deposit: $50
Discounts/Specials
- UK Employee: 20% off
- Sibling: $20 off
GENERAL INFORMATION
- CHECK-IN: 25 minutes prior to the start of camp.
- DISCOUNT: Employee discount is 20% off total cost of camp. Sibling discount is $20 off total cost
- REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR ALL UK ATHLETICS CAMPS: – For the child to participate in camp please upload the following documents to your Active Network Camp Account through the link in your confirmation email.
- A copy of a physical that was signed by a physician within the last 12 months
- Front and back copies of your medical insurance card(s)
The camper will not be able to participate in camp until we have received these forms. For all camps, disabilities will be accommodated with advanced notifications.
- CAMP STORE: Merchandise will also be available for purchase in person during camp hours. Cash or check only for in person sales.
- WHAT TO BRING: Each camper should bring baseball equipment, including a glove, bat, hat, batting helmet, and turf/running shoes (no cleats). No sunflower seeds, No gum
- COMMUNICATIONS: After you complete your registration you will receive a confirmation email. A few days before the camp you will receive another email with more details and instructions about the camp. Please double check that your email address is correct in your Active Network Camp Account as that will be our only method of communication with campers.
- REFUND POLICY: Refunds can be requested 7 days prior to the start of camp by emailing kentuckybaseball@uky.edu. Refunds that are approved will be less your $50 non-refundable deposit. COVID-19 specific refund policy is at the bottom of this information page.
- QUESTIONS: Call 859-257-8052 or email kentuckybaseball@uky.edu
WILDCATS HEAD COACH NICK MINGIONE
From his first meetings with the players, Wildcats Head Coach Nick Mingione brought a very clear and specific vision to the program: they would be a family, they would focus on developing the “Student, Person, Player” and they would do things that had never been done before. Mingione, his staff and the team has done just that. In his first season (2017) at the helm, Mingione’s Cats shined on the field, winning an NCAA regional championship in front of the then-largest crowd in school history and advancing to a Super Regional for the first time in school history After the Wildcats posted the most wins by a first-year head coach, Mingione was recognized as the Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year and the Rawlings/Perfect Game National Coach of the Year. In 2023 the Cats were able to win the program’s second NCAA regional championship in school history in front of the another record crowd in school history and advance to the programs second Super Regional. It all culminated in 2024 when the Cats made their first-ever trip to the College World Series and set numerous attendance records along the way, also winning just their second SEC championship.
In Coach Mingione’s eight years the Cats have had:
- Three first round picks in the MLB Draft, including the highest-selected pitcher (Zack Thompson, 2019) in program history.
- Eight players selected in the first 90 overall picks of MLB Draft (2017-24).
- 24 players selected in the top 10 rounds of the MLB Draft (2017-24).
- Thirteen players drafted in 2018 (the most in the country and tied for most in single draft by a SEC program).
- The 23 underclassmen drafted during Coach Mingione’s tenure have amassed $13.358 million in signing bonuses ($581,000 per player) through 2023.
- Fifteen All-Americans, two Freshman All-America
- Set school record for fielding percentage in 2023; The top four and five of top six marks in school history during Mingione Era.
- Led the nation in fielding in 2023.
- Pitching staff broke the school record for the most strikeouts in a single season (2017).
- National co-Freshman of the Year (John Rhodes, 2020).
- In 2024, made the school’s first College World Series and won the SEC for just the second time.
The unprecedented success on the field was matched by the team’s achievements off the field. The Cats have had two Senior CLASS Award winners in 2018 (Troy Squires) and 2021 (T.J. Collett) which recognizes and honors student-athletes who excel in four areas: community, classroom, character, and competitor. No student-athlete in UK Athletics had ever won the award prior to 2018. SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2017 (Zach Logue). First-Team Academic All-American in 2019 (Marshal Gei). Academic All-Americans in four straight seasons (2021-24). Under Mingione’s leadership the team has had more than 200 All-SEC academic honors, including a league high of 39 in 2021. The team set new highs for GPA in both Fall 2020, with a department best 3.61 and Spring 2021, with a 3.44, ranking as the highest among male teams on campus.
NCAA rules prohibit payment of camp expenses (camp tuition, transportation, spending money, etc…) for prospects (9th grade and above) by University of Kentucky donors. NCAA rules also prohibit free or reduced camp admissions for prospects. If you have any questions, notify camp officials prior to attending camp.
The University of Kentucky’s camps and clinics are open to any and all entrants (limited only by number, age, grade level and/or gender).
Disabilities accommodated, prior notification is appreciated.
FAQ
I’m having trouble registering online can I just call the baseball office and register over the phone?
No, registrations cannot be taken over the phone or in person. All registrations must be made online and paid for using a credit card. Please email kentuckybaseball@uky.edu or call 859-257-8052 if you are having any registration problems.
I need to cancel my registration; can I get a refund?
If you need to cancel your registration, please email kentuckybaseball@uky.edu to request a refund. Refunds that are approved will be less your $50 non-refundable deposit. You can request a credit (for full amount) towards a future camp by emailing kentuckybaseball@uky.edu
I’m an UK Employee how do I get my discount?
Yes. It’s 20% off total registration. At the end of the registration process you will be asked a series of questions to confirm your employment at UK, at which point the discount will be applied to your total. There is also a discount for siblings. $20 off the total cost of camp.
Does my physical form have to be on the form provided, because I have a physical, but it’s on a different form?
No. You don’t have to use the medical form provided. If your medical form states that you are physically able to participate in the camp and signed by a medical doctor and less than 12 months old that will work.
My son’s physical expires right before the camp, but I don’t have an appointment to get a new physical until after the camp, and my insurance won’t allow me to get a physical any sooner, what should I do?
Call your doctors office and explain the situation, often they will be able to help you.
Physicals are performed at the Little Clinics at Kroger for only $35 (without insurance approval).
Call your insurance and ask if you got a physical before the 12-month mark if they will still cover it. Often insurances have a grace period.
What do we need to bring with us to camp?
Each camper should bring baseball equipment, including a glove, bat, hat, batting helmet, and turf/running shoes (no cleats). No sunflower seeds, No gum
Will the campers be fed during camp?
No, the campers will not be fed during camp. However, campers can bring snacks with them to keep their energy up during the camp.
Are parents allowed to stay and watch?
Yes. Parents can remain in the grandstand or on the concourse during the camp. Parents must follow campus guidelines as it pertains to masks and social distancing. Parents won’t be allowed on the field or inside the facility.
COVID-19 specific refund policy
- If a camp is cancelled due to COVID-19, participants will be contacted to choose one of the following options:
- Transfer to a future camp within the same sport (if available)
- Full refund (excludes any Active Network customer processing fees)
- If a portion of the camp is cancelled due to COVID-19, participants will be refunded based on the percentage of camp that was not completed. This includes portions of camp that are cancelled due to inclement weather, where an indoor facility is not available to accommodate proper social distancing. **NCAA requires payment be retained for portions of camp that participants completed.
- If a camper, or a member of their household, is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms (see COVID-19 Symptom Check below) within 24 hours of camp check-in please email kentuckybaseball@uky.edu to choose one of the following options:
- Transfer to a future camp within the same sport (if available)
- Full refund (excludes any Active Network customer processing fees)
COVID-19 Symptom Check
- Fever of 100.0 or greater
- New cough (not associated with seasonal allergies)
- New muscle aches/pain
- New shortness of breath
- New sore throat (not associated with seasonal allergies)
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Loss of taste or smell
- Been in close contact with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19
