Inside Athletic Training

In this episode of Inside Athletic Training, we’re joined by Dr. Cameron Roth and Andrew Rizza, co-hosts of the Behind the Sports Medicine Podcast, for a conversation on how they broke into podcasting, the standout guests and moments from their show, the evolution of athletic training, and where the sports medicine profession is headed next.

Check out the Behind the Sports Medicine podcast here

More about Dr. Roth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-roth-4160b91b0/

More about Andrew Rizza: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-rizza/ 

For more information about PBATS and athletic training, visit pbats.com. 

In this episode, we sit down with Erick Flores, International Medical Coordinator for the Detroit Tigers, to discuss the unique world of international academy baseball and what it takes to manage player health at that level. Erick breaks down the key differences between developmental and competitive baseball, what sports medicine looks like inside an academy program, and how athletic trainers approach the long-term care of young international prospects who are still years away from affiliated ball. It's a side of professional baseball most people never see.

For more information about PBATS and athletic training, visit pbats.com. 

On this episode of the Inside Athletic Training podcast, we’re joined by Kim Stein of the Gatorade Sports Science Institut (GSSI) to explore the critical role sleep, nutrition, and recovery play in supporting performance throughout a demanding baseball season.

From navigating travel schedules and late-night games to optimizing daily routines, Kim shares practical, evidence-based strategies athletic trainers can apply to help players recover more effectively and stay on the field. The conversation also dives into how recovery science continues to evolve—and how athletic trainers can stay ahead by integrating these insights into player care.

For more information about PBATS and athletic training, visit pbats.com. 

In Episode 119 of Inside Athletic Training, we’re joined by Dr. Peter Chalmers, orthopedic surgeon and shoulder and elbow specialist at the University of Utah, to discuss thoracic outlet syndrome and its impact on baseball players.

Dr. Chalmers shares insights from his presentation at the Baseball Team Medicine Conference, breaking down the challenges of diagnosing and managing thoracic outlet syndrome, as well as key considerations in the return to play process. We also explore broader themes in player health, injury management, and the evolving collaboration between physicians and athletic trainers. 

For more information about PBATS and athletic training, visit pbats.com. 

In this episode of Inside Athletic Training, we sit down with Blair Bundy, Vice President of Player Health and Performance for the Milwaukee Brewers, to discuss his journey in professional baseball and the day-to-day responsibilities of leading player care at the Major League level.

Blair shares insights on managing health and performance across a full season, collaborating with multidisciplinary staff, and adapting to the evolving demands of the game. He also breaks down his recent presentation from the Baseball Team Medicine Conference on thoracic outlet syndrome, including key rehab principles, return-to-play progressions, and considerations for supporting athletes through a complex injury.

For more information about PBATS and athletic training, visit pbats.com. 

On this episode of Research Rundown, a series from Inside Athletic Training, Philadelphia Phillies' Paul Buchheit is joined by Nick Jensen of the Milwaukee Brewers to examine how pitch tracking data is being used to identify potential warning signs associated with acute UCL injuries in MLB pitchers.

The guys break down how changes in velocity, movement profiles, and pitch characteristics may relate to injury risk, what trends are actually meaningful, and how this information can be applied in real-world settings. Jensen also shares insight into the current limitations of this approach and how athletic trainers and medical staffs can balance data with clinical judgment.

To review the study, click here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41588808/

For more information about PBATS and athletic training, visit pbats.com. 

In this episode of Inside Athletic Training, we’re joined by Kevin Pillifant, Minor League Medical Coordinator for the Chicago White Sox. In his role, Pillifant helps oversee the coordination of medical care across the organization’s minor league system, working with athletic trainers, performance staff, and medical providers throughout player development.  

We also explore Pillifant’s unique career path through sports medicine, including experiences working internationally, involvement around Olympic sport, the PGA Tour, and serving as an NFL concussion spotter. These stops along the way helped shape his perspective on emergency care, athlete safety, and the evolving role of the athletic trainer across different levels of sport.

For more information about PBATS and athletic training, visit pbats.com. 

In this episode of Inside Athletic Training, we’re joined by Darryl Conway, MA, AT, ATC, FNAP, Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director and Chief Health & Welfare Officer for the University of Michigan Athletics. A member of the NATA Hall of Fame Class of 2024, Conway has spent decades advancing the athletic training profession through leadership, education, and advocacy.

In addition to his role at Michigan, Conway is the owner of Conway Ventures, LLC and Co-Owner, President and Chief Operating Officer of Sports Medicine Emergency Management, LLC.

In this conversation, we discuss emergency action planning in baseball and across sports, building off Conway’s recent presentation at the Baseball Team Medicine Conference. The discussion explores the importance of preparation, the leadership role athletic trainers play in emergency response, and how sports medicine teams can develop effective plans to protect athlete health and safety.

For more information about PBATS and athletic training, visit pbats.com. 

In this episode of Research Rundown, host Paul Buchheit of the Philadelphia Phillies sits down with Joe Benge of the Tampa Bay Rays for a big-picture conversation on injury prevention and the evolving role of research in baseball.

Together, they discuss how data and experience intersect in player care, how research should inform — but not dictate — clinical decision-making, and what current trends mean for athletic trainers working at both the professional and youth levels. The conversation also touches on workload management, long-term player development, and the responsibility of medical staffs to balance performance with protection.

A thoughtful discussion on how research can better serve the health and longevity of players throughout the game.

For more information about PBATS and athletic training, visit pbats.com. 

Today we’re joined by Will Carroll, nationally recognized injury expert and author of Under the Knife. Known for translating complex medical data into clear, actionable insight, Will brings a unique perspective on baseball’s evolving injury landscape and what he famously calls the game’s “billion-dollar bleed.”

We dive into the financial and competitive impact of injuries across Major League Baseball, the data trends shaping modern sports medicine, and how teams can better measure and manage injury risk. Will shares his thoughts on workload, UCL injuries, biomechanics, recovery science, and how communication between athletic trainers, physicians, front offices, and analysts has changed over time.

This episode offers a candid look at the intersection of medicine, performance, and economics, breaking down what the injury numbers really mean for clubs, players, and the future of the game.

Check out Under the Knife on Substack here.

Learn more about Will here.

For more information about PBATS and athletic training, visit pbats.com.