The 2018 UK baseball team gathered with hundreds of fans in Nutter Field House on Sunday evening where they signed autographs and held a skills camp for young children who hope to don the blue and white one day.

The evening started off with an interactive skills camp in which current baseball players worked with children on specific skills to improve their understanding and how to implement those skills to better their abilities on the field. The camp was followed by a Q&A session with the coaches.

Head coach Nick Mingione discussed the 2018 season promotions and giveaways for the 50^th and final season at Cliff Hagan stadium, the home field of the Cats. Fans will have the opportunity to receive a ceremonial last pitch ball, rally towels, trading cards and much more.

Once SEC play begins in March, postgame fireworks will be held on Fridays, children can run the bases on Saturdays and players will be available for autographs on Sundays.

After Mingione spoke to the fans, they waited in anticipation to get autographs from this year’s UK baseball team.

“I want our players to approach the game the way they’re approaching this clinic,” Mingione said. “There is no fear, there is freedom. There is peace of mind knowing that ‘Hey, I’m out here having a good time.’ Sometimes they can forget that.”

Support for the team is growing and this season is expected to have one of the largest fan followings in the team’s history. The evening began with only 32 remaining season tickets, which all sold before the festivities were over.

The team’s season begins at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on Feb. 16.