Mark Maloney on Kentucky sports

Gary Henderson

Coming off a school-record 45-victory season, the University of Kentucky has signed Coach Gary Henderson to a new five-year contract.

The announcement, made by Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart, precedes a 3 p.m. press conference.

The deal is worth about $2.1 million, including $75,000 a year in endorsements.

Henderson’s salary by year would be $325,000, then $340,000; $355,00; $375,000, and $375,000.

Incentives include: two months salary if the Cats win an SEC regular-season or tournament championship; one month salary for NCAA post-season participation; a month-and-a-half salary for reaching NCAA Super Regional play; and two months salary for reaching the College World Series.

In addition, if the baseball team achieves a .950 academic progress rate or better in any academic year, Henderson will earn a performance supplement of $2,500.

Brad Bohannon

Brian Green

Assistant coaches Brad Bohannon and Brian Green also have signed new contracts. Bohannon is UK’s recruiting coordinator and third-base coach. Green is the Wildcats’ offensive coordinator and hitting coach.

“It was very important to me that we were able to keep Brad Bohannon, Brian Green and (volunteer assistant) Keith Vorhoff on my staff,” Henderson said. “My three assistants have tremendous passion, energy, intelligence and work ethic. The continuity of our staff has been a program strength, and I appreciate Mitch’s efforts to help with that continuity.”

Bohannon’s contract, through 2014, is worth $145,000 a year, plus incentives.

Green’s deal, also through 2014, is for $155,00, plus incentives.

Henderson served as associate head coach, pitching coach and recruiting coordinator from 2004-08 under John Cohen. Henderson took over as head coach in 2009.

Henderson was named Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year, having led the Cats to a third-place finish in the regular season. UK led the league for a school-record eight of 10 weeks and won seven SEC series.

UK also was ranked No. 1 in the country for three weeks and finished the year being nationally ranked for 13 consecutive weeks.

After the season, a school-record nine players were selected in the Major League Baseball draft.

UK’s 2013 roster has an NCAA-leading eight players now performing in the prestigious Cape Cod League.

See the contracts:

http://media.kentucky.com/smedia/2012/07/03/12/26/3t3F5.So.79.pdf

A variety of current and former professional baseball players will come together Feb. 4-5 for the International Youth Baseball Coaches Association Summit at Transylvania University.

That will be preceded by the Cincinnati Reds Cararvan, Jan. 26-29. The Reds’ annual visit to Lexington is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 29, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Lexington Center (more details below).

Leading off this blog, though, is the clinic at Transy. The program, intended for coaches, is marketed as a “30-day guide to developing a dominate baseball player.”

Feb. 4 speakers are: Willie Blair, on common delivery flaws and fixes; Keith Madison, on mental domination on the mound; Robbie Ross, on developing nasty pitches; Jeff Parrett, on pitcher: No. 1 defender; Keith Vorhoff, on catching: throwing more people out; and Aaron Sciascia, on building a bulletproof arm.

Feb. 5 speakers: Andy Green, on hitting: it’s not one size fits all; Collin Cowgill, on hitting: approach, vision, preparation; Brian Green, on infield: molding Gold Glovers; Jim Hinerman, on where do leaders come from?; Brad Bohannon, on recruiting: what college coaches look for; Josh Anderson, on base-stealing automation; and Miles Noland, on building explosive power for baseball.

Pre-registration costs are $25 a day or $40 for two days. Prices at the door are $35 and $60. For pre-registration only, two coaches can be signed up for the price of one. For more information, contact Miles Noland at (859) 221-7715 or email iybaseballca@gmail.com.

Blair is a 12-year Major League veteran, now a minor-league pitching coach for the Padres.

Madison, who reached Triple-A as a player, coached the University of Kentucky 1979 through 2003.

Ross, a 2008 second-round draft pick out of Lexington Christian Academy, is the Texas Rangers’ minor-league pitcher of the year.

Parrett, a 10-year veteran of the big leagues, is now head coach at Woodford County High School.

Vorhoff, University of Kentucky catching coach, has had three catchers drafted in five years.

Sciascia is UK’s Shoulder Center of Kentucky coordinator.

Andy Green played four years in the big leagues and is a minor-league hitting coach for the Diamondbacks.

Cowgill, recently traded to the Oakland Athletics, made his Major League debut in 2011 and was named player of the year in the Pacific Coast League.

Brian Green is UK’s offensive and infield coach.

Hinerman is the former long-time coach at Georgetown College.

Bohannon is UK’s recruiting coordinator.

Anderson, who played three years in the majors, set base-stealing records at Eastern Kentucky University and with the Lexington Legends.

Noland is an assistant coach at Transylvania.

The Reds are coming! The Reds are coming!

The Reds Caravan will again consist of three separate tours moving simultaneously through Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia.

Lexington is the final stop on the Southern Tour.

Scheduled to appear at Southern Tour stops are: all-star second baseman Brandon Phillips; Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Brennaman; assistant general manager Bob Miller; broadcaster and former pitcher Chris Welsh; Reds Hall of Famer Lee May; minor-league catcher Tucker Barnhart, and team mascot Gapper.

Southern Tour stops:

Jan. 26 – Huntington (W.Va.) Mall, 3:30-6 p.m.; Charleston (W.Va.) Town Center, 7-9 p.m.

Jan. 28 — Great American Ball Park “select-a-seat” event, Cincinnati, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; Greenwood Mall (Bowling Green), 3:30-5:30 CST.

Jan. 29 — The Shops at Lexington Center, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

The Northern Tour cast includes broadcaster Thom Brennaman, catcher Devin Mesoraco, president of baseball operations and general manager Walt Jocketty, chief operating officer Phil Castellini, Reds Hall of Famer Tom Browning, minor-league outfielder Ryan LaMarre and mascot Mr. Redlegs.

The Western Tour has broadcaster Jim Kelch, broadcaster and former pitcher Jeff Brantley, Manager Dusty Baker, infielder Todd Frazier, Reds minor league player of the year Billy Hamilton, vice president of baseball operations Dick Williams and mascot Rosie Red.

Northern Tour stops will be: Athens, Ohio; Parkersburg, W.Va., Columbus, Ohio; Lima, Ohio; and Dayton, Ohio.

Western Tour stops will be: Hamilton, Ohio; Muncie, Ind.; Indianapolis; Bloomington, Ind.; and Louisville. The latter, at Louisville Slugger Field, is set for Jan. 29, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Visit reds.com/caravan for more details.

First Jodie Meeks. Now Clint Tilford.

Clint Tilford

A day after Meeks announced that he won’t be returning to the University of Kentucky for his senior season, comes word that Tilford also won’t be back, having agreed to terms with the Colorado Rockies.

Of course, we’re talking apples and oranges here. Meeks is pursuing professional basketball, Tilford pro baseball.

And, Kentucky basketball being what it is, you no doubt know all about Meeks. Tilford, for most, not so much.

Nevertheless, the loss of Tilford will have impact the baseball Wildcats, who graduated weekend starters James Paxton and Chris Rusin.

A right-handed pitcher from West Paducah and Heath High School, Tilford was selected by the Rockies in the 31st round (931 overall) of last week’s Major League draft. The 6-foot, 195-pounder was one of four Cats drafted, along with seven players signed by UK for next season.

The Rockies have assigned Tilford to their rookie-league team in the Pioneer League, the Casper (Wyo.) Ghosts. Casper opens its season in one week, June 23, with a seven-game road trip. 

“First, I want to thank Coach Brad Bohannon and Coach Gary Henderson for recruiting me and giving me an opportunity to play at Kentucky,” Tilford said in a statement released by UK. “I really enjoyed my time at Kentucky and wouldn’t change anything about my time there. I learned a lot about the game of baseball during my three years and hope to do my best to represent the program in the future.”

Tilford pitched in 23 games this season, including eight starts. He was used mostly in late-inning relief against Southeastern Conference teams, and as a mid-week starter in non-conference play. He wound up 1-4 with a 7.05 ERA over 52 1/3 innings. He walked 24 and struck out 34, and opposing teams hit .332 against him. But he showed enough flashes to indicate that, with maturity and more work, he may have what it takes to pitch at a higher level. Through his first nine appearances, Tilford had an ERA of 3.16.

He got the start April 28 against in-state rival Louisville. Tilford worked 5 1/3 innings that day, holding the Cardinals to one earned run on seven hits. He struck out five and did not issue a walk. Perhaps his best outing came against Indiana State on March 8, when he fired five innings of two-hit, shutout relief, striking out three.

Tilford’s three-year totals include 50 games, 19 starts, a 5-4 record and 5.85 ERA. He struck out 76 and walked 58 over 112 1/3 innings.

Clint Tilford’s statistics with Kentucky
Year      ERA   W-L   G   GS   CG   SHO   Sv     IP        H     R     ER   BB   SO   2B   3B   HR    BF   Avg.   WP   HB   Bk   SFA   SHA
2007      5.21   1-0  11      3      0       0       0    19.0        31    13     11      7    13      5      0     1     98   .356       3      1     0       1        2
2008      4.61   3-0  16      8      0       0       0    41.0        42    26     21    27    29      5      1      3  187   .271       5      1     0       0        4
2009      7.05   1-4  23      8      0       0       0    52.1        75    48     41    24    34    13      0      6  265   .332       8      7     1       3        5
Totals    5.85  5-4  50    19      0       0       0  112.1      148     87    73    58    76     23      1   10  550   .316     16      9     1       4      11