Remaining topics from Bat Cats Central's interview with Nick Mingione
Mingione discussed how Kentucky decided on its fall opponents, his thoughts on ABS and more.
The fall semester began at the University of Kentucky this week, meaning we're just a few weeks away from the start of fall baseball practice.
A big change this fall is the doubling of fall exhibitions from two to four. I wrote about D1baseball.com's Mark Etheridge's report on Kentucky's opponents a few weeks ago. The Wildcats will play Xavier (Oct. 11) and Morehead State (Oct. 25) at Kentucky Proud Park. Kentucky returns to Prasco Park in Mason, Ohio, once again, this time facing nearby Cincinnati on Oct. 4. The most interesting exhibition, however, could be on the road against Indiana on Oct. 16.
Kentucky coach Nick Mingione described the process of building the fall schedule.
"Outside of who we wanted to play, the first thing we asked ourselves is what and where we wanted to play," Mingione told Bat Cats Central. "What type of environment and then where we wanted to go. We basically structured it to where we have a true road game against Indiana the night before their Ohio State football game. Hopefully we'll get an opportunity to get a bunch of people there. We wanted to have at least two home games, so we did that with Xavier and Morehead State. And we wanted to have a neutral-site game, which we're doing at Prasco with Cincy.
"Obviously, fall games can be easier when you start doing more regional opponents. We felt like we added four really good regional opponents. We felt like we got a little bit of everything."
Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii is a proud supporter! Located in Beaumont Centre in Lexington, Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii prides itself as a leader in sharing a wide variety of Hawaiian coffees. Whether you are in the mood for black coffee, a handcrafted latte, matcha, mana energy drink, or a variety of food items Bad Ass Coffee has just the thing for you! Once you get hooked on the coffee they have plenty of at home coffee available for purchase in store! So start your season off like a Bad Ass and visit them today! PLUS, they are offering our readers 20% off their orders! Just show this email, or if ordering online, apply coupon code "UKBaseball" at checkout and have a Bad Ass Day!
Mingione is a believer in the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system
The SEC debuted its ABS challenge system in Hoover, Alabama, during the SEC Tournament earlier this year. On Tuesday, the NCAA approved ABS on an experimental basis for the 2027 season.
"The technology rules include giving teams the option, when available, of implementing a system to challenge called balls and strikes that could be used in regular-season and postseason games for the upcoming season. This will be an experimental rule in all divisions for the 2027 season," the NCAA said in a statement.
We conducted our interview before this news was released, but Mingione believes the SEC is ready for the switch. It will be a topic next week during the SEC head coaches' meeting.
"Looking forward to breaking it all down and hearing all the details and everything that goes with it," Mingione said. "But I've gone on record with how much I loved it. I love it for the umpires, I love it for the players, I love it for the coaches. I love feedback and I want to get it right. I think this makes it better for everyone. We got to get the strike zone right, like the actual size of the strike zone, but I'm excited for the opportunity of this for everyone involved."
Major League Baseball implemented the ABS Challenge System this season. Each team starts the game with two challenges apiece. Calls can be challenged by the batter, catcher or pitcher. Those were the rules in place for the SEC Tournament, as well.
Even with 5-for-5 eligibility change, UK will still build around high school recruits
Although lawsuits are ongoing and it's not quite clear yet who will be eligible and who won't be for the upcoming year – mainly as it pertains to players originally in the 2022 recruiting class – the NCAA passed eligibility rule changes in June that should simplify matters after this season. Players in the 2023 recruiting class and beyond will have five years to compete within a five-year window. Traditional redshirts are gone.
Still, MLB draft rules add a layer that could still make it tough to project how long a player might be on campus. How does Mingione see the new rules changing the roster-building process?
"You just have more options," Mingione said. "Everything is just pushed back another year. We're not going to bring in less high school players. That's the foundation of what we're trying to do, having really good high school players. My gut tells me that if a high school player makes it all five years, he's playing. You would think he's going to win the spot. What it does is make it harder to project because you have more draft years. It's like, 'Is he going to sign? Is he not?' That's the part that makes it harder, trying to figure out who's staying and who's going because now you add another year on top of that."
Catch up on the rest of the series
Thinking about taking the next step and joining Bat Cats Central as a paying member? Subscribe today, and I'll knock 25% off your first year. This equates to three free months and unlocks all upcoming fall practice coverage and the entire 2027 season, plus you'll receive the inside scoop next summer as Kentucky builds its next team.
Derek Terry
Derek Terry
Derek Terry
Derek Terry
Written by
Read next
For the first time at Kentucky, Nick Mingione has a new boss
J Batt took over for Mitch Barnhart in July. "I think he's realized he's come into a really good situation," Nick Mingione said.
Kentucky's next shortstop 'doesn't have to try to be Tyler Bell'
Kentucky will have three players competing for the shortstop job to replace Tyler Bell.
Draft day breaks helped shape Kentucky's offense
Kentucky returns five starters from last year's tournament team and brought in a strong position group from the transfer portal as well.
For the first time at Kentucky, Nick Mingione has a new boss
J Batt took over for Mitch Barnhart in July. "I think he's realized he's come into a really good situation," Nick Mingione said.
Kentucky's next shortstop 'doesn't have to try to be Tyler Bell'
Kentucky will have three players competing for the shortstop job to replace Tyler Bell.
Draft day breaks helped shape Kentucky's offense
Kentucky returns five starters from last year's tournament team and brought in a strong position group from the transfer portal as well.