The state of UK baseball....

[CloverforkCat]

Cats have an overall record of 27-23, and are currently 12-14 in SEC games. They have seen an 11 game winning streak early in the year, have won SEC series over Miss. State, at LSU, Tennessee, at Florida, have lost SEC series at So. Carolina, Texas A&M, at Arkansas, Vandy, and Georgia.
They have lost very winnable games vs Ohio, Western Ky., Indiana, and Louisville. They have been plagued by terrible relief pitching, lack of timely hitting, and very porous defense at crucial times.
They have shown at times, potential of being a very solid ball club, and at other times have resembled the Keystone cops. They have let an almost certain NCAA tournament bid all but slip slide away.
Still we are relegated to the same old, same old. Same head coach, same small almost obsolete Stadium, and a fan base who is ready to really get behind a solid year by year post season team, but sees disapointment all too often, after getting an unexpected SEC title in 2006.
Question.......what will need to be done to bring this Baseball team to its rightful place in the top 5-6 teams in the SEC and a consistent top 25 team ?

 

[sluggercatfan]

Cats have an overall record of 27-23, and are currently 12-14 in SEC games. They have seen an 11 game winning streak early in the year, have won SEC series over Miss. State, at LSU, Tennessee, at Florida, have lost SEC series at So. Carolina, Texas A&M, at Arkansas, Vandy, and Georgia.
They have lost very winnable games vs Ohio, Western Ky., Indiana, and Louisville. They have been plagued by terrible relief pitching, lack of timely hitting, and very porous defense at crucial times.
They have shown at times, potential of being a very solid ball club, and at other times have resembled the Keystone cops. They have let an almost certain NCAA tournament bid all but slip slide away.
Still we are relegated to the same old, same old. Same head coach, same small almost obsolete Stadium, and a fan base who is ready to really get behind a solid year by year post season team, but sees disapointment all too often, after getting an unexpected SEC title in 2006.
Question.......what will need to be done to bring this Baseball team to its rightful place in the top 5-6 teams in the SEC and a consistent top 25 team ?

Not a question of "what" but "will it be done"...

 

[STUCKNBIG10]

Good summary. Very frustrating. Watched the whole game yesterday and was pissed that I wasted my day. Great pitching by Cody only to watch it all go away in the 9th and 10th. UGA is not a good club and we blew it. Could cost us a bid.

 

[Comebakatz3]

In watching the game from yesterday and them showing some of the shots from around the stadium, it was really embarrassing. We've got the giant shed in the right side that is just an eye sore and blocks any view of the corner in right. Then we have the detached bleachers behind the visitors dugout that look like they should belong on a high school field. I've never been to the stadium, but even looking at it on tv is a shame. The field and some of the structures are great, but overall it is just terrible. Even teams with traditionally poor facilities, such as Vandy, put us to shame with the baseball stadium. It should be priority number 1.

Next, Henderson needs fired. If you ask me UK first needs to announce brand new plans for a state of the art high class baseball stadium that can sit up to 5-6k people and then they need to fire Henderson. Every coach we interview needs to be sold on the thought that this new field will be amazing AND next year we have an amazing recruiting class for the coach that might be able to convince them to stick around. It might not be enough, but there is plenty of young talent out there.

Louisville is currently ranked number 2 in the nation and may be the ACC's best hope at bringing home a CWS title. Our rival is putting us to shame. I think our fans are extremely frustrated by that. By knowing that we sit here barely making regionals, if we make them at all, while UL is consistently making the CWS and finishing as a top 10 team. Our administration should be ashamed and should not continue to allow their school to embarrass us in this sport.

 

[Comebakatz3]

All that being said, Henderson has done enough that he will stick around and I think he will continue to do enough to stick around. It's ridiculous because we should be so much better, but for whatever reason the administration at this school has lowered the bar. They've decided that they are fine with just occasionally making a regional. Either that, or they are just completely unable to see the writing on the wall that Henderson has peaked. He has had plenty of time to put together a complete ball club, or hell, even a complete pitching staff, and he's never, not once, been able to do it.

I really hope that someone steps up and forces Barnhart's hand on this. Big money talks and I don't know how much in terms of donors the baseball team has, but someone, or multiple people, really need to step up and demand a change, because it is not going to get better and Louisville is fast tracking to a national championship.

 

[Zakk Wyldcat]

Mitch B. won't fire Henderson until he completely craters the program ala Joker.

 

[CloverforkCat]

Great responses, agree that No. 1 New HC needed badly, one who is demanding, stresses fundamentals, can recruit, and last but not least promote the program thru the public and the media. No. 1a, NEW stadium, one that seats 5,000 minimun, has all the amenities, NO goofy structures on the playing area, bullpens that are fair to both clubs, visitors bullpen at CHS has no seats for the pitchers and catchers, somewhat semetriacal outfield fences, longer than the Cliff for sure. No.2 try and work in some more attractive pre-conference weekend series at home, maybe some Big 10, or Big 12 teams ie. Purdue, Michigan, Kansas, Iowa, West Virginia to get us more ready for SEC play.

 

[UKnVT]

You'd think getting rid of Hendo would be a no-brainer. Average at best in the SEC each year, and now he has his team underperforming in the OOC schedule, and, in a year when they MIGHT be able to sneak their way into the NCAAT (somehow), they tank a home series against a dreadful UGA team.

Sadly, I think Zakk is correct above about the Joker comparison. For me, this was my (first?) "Joker boycott" of Hendo. I've been going to anywhere between 8-15 games a year, taking my 2 sons (at least), and making a day of it. This year, not 1 game (we did hit the deck and take our own food a couple of times). I know UKAA doesn't make much at the gate, and only a bit more at concessions, but I wasn't about to chip in another dime. Probably won't next year, either, since the dude will likely be back.

 

[Tskware]

You'd think getting rid of Hendo would be a no-brainer. Average at best in the SEC each year, and now he has his team underperforming in the OOC schedule, and, in a year when they MIGHT be able to sneak their way into the NCAAT (somehow), they tank a home series against a dreadful UGA team.

Sadly, I think Zakk is correct above about the Joker comparison. For me, this was my (first?) "Joker boycott" of Hendo. I've been going to anywhere between 8-15 games a year, taking my 2 sons (at least), and making a day of it. This year, not 1 game (we did hit the deck and take our own food a couple of times). I know UKAA doesn't make much at the gate, and only a bit more at concessions, but I wasn't about to chip in another dime. Probably won't next year, either, since the dude will likely be back.

Me either, first season in years that I didn't go to a single game. Just have zero enthusiasm.

 

[cats1068]

I hate U of L. That being said, I admire what U of L is doing. One thing they have is a game plan. They are speed, aggressive, stealing bases, moving runners, defense and pitching every year. And they recruit to that. What is UK's plan? Does anybody know? Do they actually know? The incompetence of Henderson is mind boggling. Before the season he said they were going to play small ball. I'm still waiting on them to play small ball and there are only 4 games left. Their defense is piss poor and the timely hitting pretty much slim to none. I have no idea why Storm, Fettes and Heady play. They couldn't hit their way out of a wet paper bag. And then there's the pitching. The mgr is an Effin pitching coach and UK has one of the worst staffs in the SEC. He leaves them in too long. He pulls them in the middle of AB's. He brings in a "closer" who serves up balls that a slow pitch softball player is envious of. He lets the good players in Lexington go to U of L without even offering them scholarships. But I know with all my complaints, Henderson is going nowhere because Barnhart loves him. And it's shame he can't or choses not to see the incompetence of the mgr who runs this baseball program.

 

[sluggercatfan]

I hate U of L. That being said, I admire what U of L is doing. One thing they have is a game plan. They are speed, aggressive, stealing bases, moving runners, defense and pitching every year. And they recruit to that. What is UK's plan? Does anybody know? Do they actually know? The incompetence of Henderson is mind boggling. Before the season he said they were going to play small ball. I'm still waiting on them to play small ball and there are only 4 games left. Their defense is piss poor and the timely hitting pretty much slim to none. I have no idea why Storm, Fettes and Heady play. They couldn't hit their way out of a wet paper bag. And then there's the pitching. The mgr is an Effin pitching coach and UK has one of the worst staffs in the SEC. He leaves them in too long. He pulls them in the middle of AB's. He brings in a "closer" who serves up balls that a slow pitch softball player is envious of. He lets the good players in Lexington go to U of L without even offering them scholarships. But I know with all my complaints, Henderson is going nowhere because Barnhart loves him. And it's shame he can't or choses not to see the incompetence of the mgr who runs this baseball program.

C1068...The BIG difference is that Jurich is determined to have ALL his teams be the best in the conference and in the country...But the "biggest" difference is he gets coaches and "gives them the facilities and backing$$$$$ to be successful"...TJ has plenty of support for anything he wants to get built on campus and have great facilities and somehow-except for SK- he has had some great success(luck) in that the coaches he has hired have all been highly successful and he has the support to pay them what it takes to keep them for the most part-Charlie Strong...Until MB has that desire ALONG with the $$$$$ behind him things will not get done

 

[Big_Blue_1018]

Ill add my two cents. I have had season tickets every year since 2008. Hendos first year. What is amazing to me is the fact that as a pitching coach, he has yet to have a team that has finished the season with an E.R.A lower than 3. As a pitching coach, he never develops a bullpen to have roles. Its amazing to see one guy come in as a middle innings guy to have him try to close the very next day. This is by far the worst fundamental team I have seen play at the college level. When you can't even make a routine play at short, something is terribly wrong. There is no depth at the field positions. This team has been extremely lucky not to have any injuries because there is no one to step up. The catching is pitiful. Has there ever been a team that is poorer at throwing runners out than this one? I swear I think I could steal second against Fettes or Arnold and my 40 time is about three days.

One thing on Cliff Hagan Stadium.During the rain delay in the Texas A&M series, I was talking to a couple of fans from College Station and to hear them talk about the cliff was about the most embarrassing thing Ive had to deal with as a UK fan. One guy said how can an SEC team play on a glorified little league field. Its a joke on what has become of the baseball team. Its no wonder Cohen packed his bags for Starkville.

 

[CloverforkCat]

Looking at these responses, I share the frustration of UK Baseball fans everwhere. Sad comments concerning Henderson, and CHS. Listened to the UGA network announcers some this weekend, they stated from their broadcast position they couldn't see the RF corner, and just had to rely on crowd reaction on a ball hit in that area.
It will take a Joker type fan apathy, revolt to get a change made, do not know if/when this will happen, the sooner the better !

 

[sluggercatfan]

Looking at these responses, I share the frustration of UK Baseball fans everwhere. Sad comments concerning Henderson, and CHS. Listened to the UGA network announcers some this weekend, they stated from their broadcast position they couldn't see the RF corner, and just had to rely on crowd reaction on a ball hit in that area.
It will take a Joker type fan apathy, revolt to get a change made, do not know if/when this will happen, the sooner the better !

With the stupidity of giving Henderson a new contract and a nice raise it will probably be at least two more season before anything is done because of the buyout...

 

[Zakk Wyldcat]

What would 'Joker-type' apathy be for UK baseball? ZERO fans in attendance? Of course, they probably still announce 1,000 or so were there anyway...

 

[CatsFanGG24]

I hate U of L. That being said, I admire what U of L is doing. One thing they have is a game plan. They are speed, aggressive, stealing bases, moving runners, defense and pitching every year. And they recruit to that. What is UK's plan? Does anybody know? Do they actually know? .

Been saying this all year! And the thing about UL is you can clearly tell what they are doing each year...before the bbcor composite bats, McDonald was a gap/power hitting/power pitching coach...bat changes and he goes to speed, speed and more speed.

We have no philosophy.

 

[Comebakatz3]

Player development by Henderson really has been a huge shame. McDonnell has been at UL since 2006. Henderson has been at UK since 2003 and head coach since 2008. Before McDonnell arrived at UL they had 25 players drafted in the MLB draft. Since his arrival there have been almost 50, 48 to be exact, players drafted in the MLB draft. Henderson is getting close to that number and may be right around it when he gets to his 9th year. Either way, it makes you wonder how McDonnell has such on the field success while Henderson has struggled. Especially considering that Henderson came in with a good foundation left to him by Cohen and McDonnell came into a historically poor program.

 

[Big_Blue_1018]

You answered your own question with your opening statement. Player development. Henderson has no clue on how to develop players. All you need to look at is the catching position. Fettes and Arnold have looked lost behind the plate and neither one has really gotten any better since the day they stepped foot on campus.

Lets just say theoretically Henderson is let go at the end of the season. Where should UK go as to the next head coach?

 

[CloverforkCat]

You answered your own question with your opening statement. Player development. Henderson has no clue on how to develop players. All you need to look at is the catching position. Fettes and Arnold have looked lost behind the plate and neither one has really gotten any better since the day they stepped foot on campus.

Lets just say theoretically Henderson is let go at the end of the season. Where should UK go as to the next head coach?

I have stated before my thoughts on former Cat Andy Green, currently the 3rd base coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He has won 2 titles as a minor league mamager already, one in Single A ball, and last year in Double A ball. He is from Lexington, is the schools all-time leader in hits, and played 4 seasons in MLB.

 

[blufvr4evr]

would ul's coach come back to the SEC, kind'a like RP going to coach there basketball team......would Mcdonald make the leap if offered.......

 

[law1127]

Need a new baseball coach that can inspire and develop players!

 

[UKnVT]

 

[Comebakatz3]

Andy Green could be a pretty good choice. There are a lot of great coaches who have come back to the alma maters and done great things. I think the biggest deal is finding someone who can get a great pitching coach in here. In the SEC, and in college baseball in general, pitching is huge. Look at Louisville's success... they've done it with outstanding pitching. They hit the ball well, but their pitching is also superb. Vandy is another who is always putting together amazing pitching staffs. I'd be happy with Green. I think he'd do outstanding coaching and developing players. I would be curious to know how well he does at recruiting and what kind of staff he would be able to build. He is a fairly young manager, but in his time in the dugout he has done amazing things. I think he should be option number one.

Second choice should be to throw as much money as it takes at Dan Heefner of Dallas Baptist. Dallas Baptist is ranked 12th in the country as has the number 1 RPI. He is one of the top coaches under 40 and his results on the field have been fantastic. No real attachment to DBU, but they probably have a greater commitment to baseball than we do. Still, would think that the lure of the SEC would be more than enough to bring him in.

 

[Big_Blue_1018]

Andy Green would be an excellent choice in my book. Also, DeWayne Johnson, not the rock, would be a great fit. He's the pitching scout for the Chicago Cubs and was here as an assistant at one time.

My top choice would be Dan Heefner. I think he could not only coach this team to new heights but he could sell this program like no other. But, sadly it's just wishful thinking.

 

[Comebakatz3]

^^ Yep. Probably just a pipe dream. Someone with the ability should start a website pushing to fire Henderson and hire Heefner. Get a petition going or something to show the administration that we actually want a change.

 

[CloverforkCat]

^^ Yep. Probably just a pipe dream. Someone with the ability should start a website pushing to fire Henderson and hire Heefner. Get a petition going or something to show the administration that we actually want a change.

I think we could certainly pay more than Dallas Baptist, but as mentioned are we as committed to Baseball ? I think it would be a fantastic hire, and would force the construction of a new stadium !

 

[Big_Blue_1018]

I think Mitch is committed to baseball as much as we want him to be. I know he wants a championship athletic department and lets face it, football and baseball are the only sports that are really behind. And I think Stoops has the football turning the corner so its just left up to one sport. On sort of a side note, my season tickets are on the top row in Section b right below Mitch's suite at the cliff and I know he has heard some of the complaints coming from our section. Maybe I need to yell a little louder.......

 

[Kommonwealth]

I cannot see us getting a quality coach unless the administration can commit to a new facility. Maybe we get an upstart guy or mid major coach that is looking to parlay a few quality seasons or a decent tourney run into a better job.

We have the worst stadium in the conference, the worst early season weather the conference, and the worst tradition.....and there is a pretty large gap there between us and the other 13 (although Missouri isnt great either - maybe exclude them). Alabama did a survey of SEC players and asked them to rank stadiums and where Sewell-Thomas needs improvements. UK was dead last and Bama was actually 11th (they didnt include TAMU or Mizzou), but Bama listened and will have a beautiful facility next year after renovations. Some of the baseball boosters said the administration was never committed to baseball for years and they had been given lip service on facility investments for years (sound familiar).

Henderson isnt a great coach but I'll give him credit for at least keeping us competitive and not tanking the program. Joker was in over his head and tanked the program overnight. Henderson is just mediocre and does just enough to shy away from getting rid of him, all things considered.

Maybe in 2016 Mitch can make an announcement to get a new baseball facility built. That will go a long way for this program and would attract alot more candidates ---- maybe even help Henderson out in some respects.

 

[CatsFanGG24]

My main problems with Henderson: He doesn't recruit to a style of play and commit to a philosophy ex. strong pitching+excellent defense + small ball/speed, solid pitching+ power hitting+ decent defense etc...

And second: He is a pitching coach without super strong pitching staffs...ERAs around 5, lack of depth, lack of consistency.

I will give him a pass on in game moves, because you can justify MOST of them at the time he makes them...much easier to look back when they failed or worked and say terrible or great call.

I also think the team could have a better/tougher mentality, but that's JMO.

 

[Comebakatz3]

I agree with all of the CatsFanGG. UK plays in one of the smallest ball parks, especially to right, of any team in the conference. Actually, I think it is the smallest. So, you would think that you would recruit heavily on some left handed power to take advantage of that short porch. I would also think you'd want a good staff of solid left handed pitchers so that you can protect your own porch. I know you have to set your roster to play on the road as well as at home, but your ball park can greatly dictate what you might want to do with your roster. If you play at a place like the Hoover Met then you probably aren't going to want a whole lot of power. It is better to get guys that are fast and can hit the gaps. Take advantage of that spacious outfield and try to get more doubles. You can also have a less impressive pitching staff in a field that is much more forgiving like that one. So, you can take some risks and get some guys that throw gas. Yet, Henderson's teams never seem to be the same. They don't fit our field and they often just have no direction at all.

Still, the biggest problem is the pitching. Before anything else we should be a team that has excellent pitching. Yet, we've never finished with an ERA that even ranked in the lower half of the league, and that has been since Henderson got here with Cohen. We've had numerous guys that did excellent as starters and a few closers, but we've never once had a complete bullpen. That should be the first thing Henderson does and fixes. Yet we aren't seeing that and haven't seen it since he arrived. Guys like Vandy and Louisville get outstanding pitching year in and year out and have multiple guys in their bullpen that can close the door. UK relies on one or two guys if they even get that. Louisville and Vandy also develop players much better. They know next year who will likely become starters. Next year we will be completely in the dark on weekend starters because no one looks to be a solid candidate. Recruiting is great for Henderson overall, but you have to actually have a strategy to recruit to and not just going after guys that are highly touted.

 

[CatsFanGG24]

I don't like the way UKs staff is set up either...we have a hitting coach, and infield/recruiting co and our special volunteer assistant working with pitchers and catchers...Henderson probably spends a ton of time with pitchers as well, which probably hurts his overall managing.

Compare that to a team like UL...they have a pitching coach, hitting coach, and their volunteer assistant works with Hitters and OF. McDonnell can oversee the whole production...he has a background in infielders, hitters and base-running though.

 

[Comebakatz3]

I also want to mention that Henderson in both 2013 and this upcoming class brought in top of the line talent. However, in 2013 the 3 best commitments all headed to the pros. That significantly hurt your roster and our pitching staff in particular. I know it is good to get these guys to consider you, but you have to have backup plans in case they fall through. I'm not sure Henderson ever really does that.

 

[cats1068]

The bottom line is results. And if they don't make the tournament this year, it will only be 2 times in 7 yrs. That is totally unacceptable! No matter how we spin it Henderson still sucks. If he stays 5 more years, we'll be talking about the same things. No major philosophy, no pitching, shoddy defense, lack of timely hitting, etc. I've faced it. As long as Henderson is at UK, it will be a clown show of an operation.

 

[blufvr4evr]

BLAH.....BLAH.......BLAH.......MITCH'S CALL.....good luck bb lovers.......