Posted by David Wade on Monday, March 1, 2010 at 2:29 pm

This is the debut of what will hopefully be a semi-regular look at University of Kentucky baseball.  Our first installment is bittersweet, as Kentucky’s 6-0 start to the season has been offset by news that they’ll finish the year without their best pitcher.

James Paxton, who I’m sure you’ve read about here, will not play for U.K. this season.  This ends a mercurial story for U.K. baseball that began last summer with a surprise announcement that Paxton would return for his senior year.  The excitement following that ended quickly as Toronto Blue Jay President Paul Beeston told a local reporter that he could not reach an agreement with his first-round pick because of Paxton’s agent.  This drew the attention of the NCAA. 

With a possible violation of the ‘no agent rule’, the NCAA told the University of Kentucky they needed to meet with Paxton (and Paxton only) to discuss the matter.  Paxton’s family responded by hiring a lawyer who eventually sued the University in an effort to prevent them from suspending the highly-regarded pitcher.  After several court dates, Paxton was at an impasse.  He had to appeal to the Kentucky Supreme Court, submit to the interview and put his fate in the hands of the NCAA, or decline the interview and forfeit his senior year at U.K.

He chose the latter.

I talked to coaches and U.K. officials and they all wanted Paxton to play this year.  In addition to being a gifted pitcher, he is a good student and was a popular teammate.  However, the University could not afford to roll the dice with the NCAA since they had questions about his eligibility.  To do so would have jeopardized the team, as seen in this quote from U.K. following Paxton’s decision.

“Due to the possibility of future penalties, including forfeiture of games, UK could not put the other 32 players of the team and the entire UK 22-sport intercollegiate athletics department at risk by having James compete.”

The rest of the statement is available here.

Paxton’s lawyer issued a statement concerning the decision to leave U.K. Tuesday afternoon.  Richard Johnson described the difficult situation facing Paxton as one that revolved around the NCAA using its power over member institutions to intimidate student-athletes.  Johnson argued that the NCAA could force the University (by fear of repercussions) to threaten impending penalties for violations that were neither described to the individual in question or backed by the type of evidence considered necessary when making charges against a student.

Johnson explained why Paxton did not appeal the latest decision-

“While James could have sought discretionary review in the Kentucky Supreme Court, any such review, if at all, would most likely have come long after the baseball season was over, thus making the effort a futile one, all the while leaving James in limbo during the remainder of the season.”

He also passed along a message from Paxton-

“In conclusion, James apologizes to his teammates and coach, who are stuck in the middle, just like he is. James wishes his teammates and his coach a successful season, and he will be there in spirit cheering them on. James is and always will be a Wildcat at heart.” 

Though Paxton has decided to end his battle with the NCAA, I have a feeling that this situation will arise again with another student at some point.  The ‘no agent rule’ in College Baseball is vague and enforced sporadically.  That will not keep the NCAA from sporadically enforcing it.

While this unfortunate story played out, the team began their 2010 season with an impressive sweep to win the Caravelle Resort Invitational in South Carolina February 19-21.

After beating Virginia Tech 15-6 in the opener, Kentucky enjoyed a terrific debut from freshman left-handed pitcher Taylor Rogers to win 6-0.  But, it was the third game of the season, a surprising win over now 8th ranked Coastal Carolina on their home field that capped the weekend. 

The Wildcats were fortunate to win that game.  With the score tied late, Kentucky caught breaks by picking off two Chanticleers runners in the same inning and later scoring the winning run on an error during a routine play at third in the ninth.  That said, good pitching from converted starter Logan Darnell kept them in the game and gave them the chance to win.

This past weekend, Kentucky continued their hot start by sweeping Bowling Green State.  The Falcons did not enjoy their trip to the Bluegrass state as they opened against a highly ranked Louisville team the weekend before and now go home with a 0-6 record.

The 6-0 start has earned Kentucky a spot in Baseball America’s top 25, hitting the list for the first time this season at 23.

Kentucky will host Morehead State on Tuesday, before leaving their cold confines for another talent-filled tournament in a more temperate environment, this time in San Diego.  March 4-6 will feature matchups against San Diego State, San Diego, and Monmouth and a strong showing there could indicate that this team may be playing up to their potential sooner than expected.