  The Near-Earth Comet P/2016 BA$_{14}$ (PanSTARRS) is a slow-rotatating
nearly-dormant object, a likely dynamical twin of 252P/LINEAR, and was recently
shown to have a mid-infrared spectrum very dissimilar to other comets.
BA$_{14}$ also recently selected one of the back-up targets for the ESA's
\textit{Comet Interceptor}, so a clearer understanding of BA$_{14}$'s modern
properties would not just improve our understanding of how comets go dormant,
but could also aid planning for a potential spacecraft visit. We present
observations of BA$_{14}$ taken on two dates during its 2016 Earth close
approach with the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility, both of which are
consistent with direct observations of its nucleus. The reflectance spectrum of
BA$_{14}$ is similar to 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, albeit highly
phase-reddened. Thermal emission contaminates the reflectance spectrum at
longer wavelengths, which we correct with a new Markov Chain Monte Carlo
thermal modeling code. The models suggest $BA_{14}$'s visible geometric albedo
is $p_V=0.01-0.03$, consistent with radar observations, its beaming parameter
is typical for NEOs observed in its geometry, and its reflectrance spectrum is
red and linear throughout H and K band. It appears very much like a "normal"
comet nucleus, despite its mid-infrared oddities. A slow loss of fine grains as
the object's activity diminished might help to reconcile some of the lines of
evidence, and we discuss other possibilities. A spacecraft flyby past BA$_{14}$
could get closer to the nucleus than with a more active target, and we
highlight some science questions that could be addressed with a visit to a
(nearly-)dormant comet.
