Kentucky baseball commits eager to play in new stadium

On Oct. 23, the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees approved funding for a new baseball stadium. Cats Illustrated caught up with several Kentucky baseball commitments that will spend most of their career playing in the new stadium. This is what they had to say.

2017 outfielder Cam Hill (Georgetown, Ky.) : “The new stadium will be exciting for me and the other players. It should bring a new energy and help the program to move forward with not only recruiting, but also conditioning and training. I hope it will also help draw in people from Lexington and the surrounding areas so they come out and support the baseball team. It's an exciting time to be a future bat cat."

2017 shortstop Thomas Bennett (Frankfort, Ky.) : "I think it's gonna be awesome. My class is very blessed to have the opportunity to play there. But not only am I excited about the stadium itself, I am excited about the direction the program is moving."

2017 outfielder Luke Benoit (Northboro, Mass.) : "It's gorgeous. Cannot wait to play on that and win some games."

2017 catcher Tanner Johnson (Crestwood, Ky.) : "I think it is awesome. It's been in the process for a long time, so I think that says a lot about Coach Mingione, that he can get so much hype around UK baseball, and he hasn't even coached a single game yet."

2017 pitcher Daniel Harper (Fairway, Kan.) : "It's absolutely stunning. Going to be up there with the best stadiums in the country."

2017 third baseman Spencer Harbert (Middletown, Del.) : "I think it's awesome. I'm really looking forward to being a part of the program."

2017 pitcher Trip Lockhart (Lexington, Ky.) : "I'm really excited about it. I think the program is moving in the right direction and the new stadium is going to be a great addition."

2018 pitcher Braxton Cottongame (Hazard, Ky.) : "Considering it'll be ready the fall of my graduating year is awesome! I think the stadium will be one of a kind."

2018 pitcher Cole Ayers (Loveland, Ohio) : "I'm really looking forward to being on the first team to ever play in the new stadium in 2019. When I saw the fly by video of it all, it looks like it will be the best park in the conference. I can't wait to play there. I couldn't be anymore excited."

2018 pitcher Cole Daniels (Ann Arbor, Mich.) : "The new stadium is amazing and a great surprise. I was very excited when Coach Mingione texted me photos and said that the university had just approved the construction for a new stadium. With that being said, I would have come to play for Coach Mingione and his staff if we had a gravel field with no fence. To play with the best and against the best in the SEC is something I am really looking forward to."

2018 pitcher Tyler Burchett (Airville, Pa.) : "I am excited to come play at UK but having this stadium just makes me all the more excited."

2018 pitcher Kyle Music (Cincinnati, Ohio) : "I love it. It's gonna be an awesome experience to be on the first team to ever play in it. I think the team is gonna have a lot more energy to have one of the nicest parks around. Nothing but good things happening under the new staff. Can't wait to be a part of the program."

2018 third baseman Trae Harmon (Somerset, Ky.) : "It's crazy to now have the best facilities in the SEC. Great step in the right direction for the whole program and university. Proud to be a Wildcat."