Inside Athletic Training

On this episode of the PBATS Inside Athletic Training Podcast, we’re joined by Tyler Brooks, Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Tyler’s path to the big leagues is anything but typical, from his early career beginnings through impactful international experience in the Dominican Republic, Tyler brings a unique perspective on athletic training in professional baseball.

We dive into how his time in the DR shaped his clinical approach, built cultural fluency, and prepared him to navigate challenges in high-performance environments. Tyler also shares what it felt like to earn his first MLB role, the day-to-day realities of life on a big league staff, and how collaboration with veteran leaders and fellow young clinicians has strengthened the Pirates’ sports medicine team.

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

In this episode of the PBATS Inside Athletic Training Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Glenn Fleisig, one of the most accomplished and influential scientists in baseball biomechanics and sports medicine. Dr. Fleisig helped develop the American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI) alongside Dr. James Andrews and has spent nearly four decades advancing research on pitching mechanics, injury prevention, and player health.

We discuss Dr. Fleisig’s remarkable career journey, how biomechanics has transformed modern baseball, and the cutting-edge technologies shaping the future—from markerless motion capture to pitching labs and game data integration. The conversation also explores key recent studies on UCL injury risk factors, throwing programs, and training trends, as well as Dr. Fleisig’s role advising Major League Baseball, USA Baseball, and the broader baseball community.

For more on Dr. Fleisig, please visit: 

Instagram: The Biomechanical Man

American Baseball Biomechanics Society: baseballbiomechanics.org

ASMI: asmi.org

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

On this episode of the PBATS Inside Athletic Training Podcast, we’re joined by Brandon Zumbach, Minor League Medical Coordinator for the Houston Astros. Brandon shares insight into overseeing player health and rehabilitation across an entire minor league system, the challenges of delivering consistent care at multiple levels, and how innovation, communication, and collaboration shape modern baseball sports medicine.

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

The Research Rundown launches as a new monthly series from the Inside Athletic Training Podcast, focused on translating baseball sports medicine research into practical insight for athletic trainers.

In this inaugural episode, hosts Paul Buchheit and Joe Rauch of the Philadelphia Phillies are joined by Corey Tremble of the Miami Marlins to discuss recent research examining the association between hand size and UCL reconstruction in professional baseball players. The conversation breaks down the study’s key findings, clinical relevance, and how athletic trainers can interpret and apply this data within a broader injury-prevention and evaluation framework.

Read the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39898193/

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

In this episode of the PBATS Inside Athletic Training Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Amy Beacom, Team Physician for the Minnesota Twins. Dr. Beacom discusses her journey into professional baseball, what it’s like working on a daily basis with MLB athletic trainers, and how collaboration, communication, and research guide player care throughout a demanding season. She also shares insight into the offseason responsibilities of a team physician and how medical teams balance performance, availability, and long-term player health at the Major League level. 

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

This week, we’re joined by Dr. Adam Feit of Springfield College, a leader in high-performance consulting whose work spans sport psychology, strength and conditioning, coaching education, and nutrition. 

Dr. Feit shares insights on mental performance, working with athletes, and why mental skills are such a critical part of the athletic trainer’s role in high-performance environments.

A great conversation for anyone working in sports medicine, performance, or athlete development.

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

In this episode of Inside Athletic Training, we’re joined by Corey Tremble, Medical Director for the Miami Marlins. Corey takes us inside his first year leading the Marlins’ athletic training and rehab team, sharing lessons learned, surprises along the way, and how he’s approaching offseason planning. We also dive into leadership, communication, staff development, and what he looks for when hiring the next generation of athletic trainers. Whether you’re a student, a young AT, or a veteran in the field, this conversation offers a valuable look at the evolving role of leadership in professional baseball.

For more information about Corey, visit his profile here.

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

On today’s episode of the Inside Athletic Training Podcast, we’re joined by Jim Kahmann—former Head Athletic Trainer for the Minnesota Twins, longtime PBATS member, and now author of a new book sharing his journey through athletic training in the minor leagues. Jim spent decades in professional baseball and has a library of stories, lessons, and perspective from his time working in the game. Today, he joins us to talk about life on the road, athlete care in the early days of baseball sports medicine, and why he chose to document his career to inspire future generations of athletic trainers.

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

In this episode of Inside Athletic Training, we sit down with Chelsea Willette, Minor League Athletic Training Coordinator for the Boston Red Sox. Chelsea opens up about her journey through professional baseball, her leadership role supporting athletic trainers across multiple affiliates, and the evolution of sports medicine within player development. She also discusses mentorship, innovation, and what it means to build trust and communication across an entire organization. A must-listen for anyone passionate about baseball, athletic training, or advancing athlete care at every level.

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

In this episode of Inside Athletic Training, we sit down with Lauren Powers, athletic trainer for the Dayton Dragons, the High-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. Lauren opens up about her path into athletic training, the day-to-day realities of working in professional baseball, and what it means to be a woman in a historically male-dominated field.  

From building trust with young players, to balancing mental health, to the camaraderie that comes with life on the road, Lauren shares insightful stories and lessons from the training room. Whether you’re an aspiring athletic trainer or just curious about what happens behind the scenes in the minors, this episode delivers real talk and real perspective.

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