Tag: Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society

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Aces’ Abe named PCL Athletic Trainer of the Year

Article reposted from kolo8 News Now
Author: Reno Aces

The Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) has selected Reno Aces’ Masa Abe as the Pacific Coast League Trainer of the Year. Abe is Reno’s first trainer to take home the award in the franchise’s nine-year history.

The award is given annually to one member of each of the 16 Leagues in Minor League Baseball, as well as the Dominican Summer League, in a selection by their peers. As the PCL winner, Abe is now eligible for the Minor League Athletic Trainer of the Year award, which is voted upon by full membership of the PBATS and announced at the 2017 Major League Baseball Winter Meetings in Orlando, Florida.

Abe is in his second season with Reno and seventh season with the Diamondbacks medical staff. He began his professional career in 2011 with Rookie-level AZL D-backs and moved up to Rookie-advanced Missoula in 2012. In his one season in Missoula, he was named the Pioneer League Athletic Trainer of the Year. Abe’s ascension up the D-backs minor league ladder continued when he jumped to Advanced-A Visalia in 2013 and Double-A Mobile for the 2014-2015 campaigns.

Prior to joining the D-backs, Abe was a graduate assistant trainer at the University of Arkansas. A native of Aiehi, Japan, Abe graduated from the Toyota National of College of Tech High School in Toyota, Japan, and went on to earn his degree in mechanical engineering in 2001. Abe came to the United States and attended Northern Colorado where he earned his undergraduate degree in athletic training in 2007. Abe worked as a Minor League assistant athletic trainer/strength and conditioning coach for one season with the Class A Short-Season Vancouver Canadians.

The Aces return home to Greater Nevada Field for four final regular season home games labor weekend, September 1-4, against the Albuquerque Isotopes. Playoff tickets are also available for reservation by visiting the ticket office or renoaces.com. Potential home playoff games are Wednesday, September 6th and Thursday, September 7th at Greater Nevada Field, both scheduled for 7:05 p.m. For 2018 ticket packages or more information, call (775) 334-4700. Follow the club all season long on Twitter (@Aces) or like the team on Facebook.

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PBATS NAMES 2017 MINOR LEAGUE ATHLETIC TRAINERS OF THE YEAR

Article reposted from PBATS
Author: 

President Mark O’Neal of the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) today announced the winners of the Minor League Athletic Trainers of the Year Awards for the 2017 baseball season.

These awards are given annually to one member of each of the 16 leagues in Minor League Baseball, as well as one award for the Dominican Summer League.  An additional award is given to the Minor League Coordinator of the Year.

“I’m thrilled to announce PBATS’ Minor League Athletic Trainers of the Year,” O’Neal said. “These athletic trainers have had such a huge impact on their organizations and have been named, by their peers, the best athletic trainer in their respective league. To win an award voted on by your peers is so important. It shows everyone around the league that you’re working hard and doing your job with passion and amazing skill. I couldn’t be happier to award these great athletic trainers for their hard work.”

All 16 league winners, the Dominican Summer League winner and the Minor League Coordinator of the Year will now be eligible for the prestigious Minor League Athletic Trainer of the Year award voted upon by the full membership of PBATS. That award will be given at the 2017 Major League Baseball Winter Meetings in Orlando, Fla.

Award Winners:

League Winner Organization
Coordinator Joe Rauch Philadelphia Phillies
International League Scott Johnson Chicago White Sox
Pacific Coast League Masa Abe Arizona D’Backs
Eastern League Jeremy Heller Cleveland Indians
Southern League Tyler Moos Cincinnati Reds
Texas League Grant Hufford Houston Astros
Florida State League Masanobu Koyanagi Kansas City Royals
California League Joshua Guterman Colorado Rockies
Carolina League Bobby Ruiz Cleveland Indians
Midwest League Jeffrey Paxson Milwaukee Brewers
South Atlantic League Michael Sole New York Yankees
New York–Penn League Brian Newman Tampa Bay Rays
Northwest League Mickey Clarizio Colorado Rockies
Appalachian League Kris Russell Tampa Bay Rays
Pioneer League Margaret Rall Chicago White Sox
Arizona League Randy K. Roetter Seattle Mariners
Gulf Coast League AJ Cano New York Yankees
Dominican Summer Allison Wood Los Angeles Dodgers


ABOUT PBATS: The mission of the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) is to serve as an educational resource for the Major League and Minor League Baseball athletic trainers. For more information, please visit www.pbats.com

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Athletic Training Scholarships Awarded to Daemen College Students

Article reposted from Daemen College
Author: Daemen College

Daemen College professional master’s athletic training students Rebecca Delahunty and Caleb Earl have been awarded top scholarships from two professional organizations.

Delahunty is among five students from across the country named as the first recipients of the inaugural Paul DeMartinis Scholarship presented by the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society, which serves as an educational resource for Major and Minor League Baseball athletic trainers.

The $2,000 scholarship is awarded to athletic training students currently enrolled in a professional program or post-professional degree or residency program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education.

A native of Mount Prospect, Ill., Delahunty is a first-year student in Daemen’s program and active in the Athletic Training Student Association.

Earl has received the 2017 Paul Grace Scholarship from the Eastern Athletic Trainer’s Association (EATA), a professional organization for certified athletic trainers and students. He was recognized with a plaque presented at the EATA’s annual awards banquet held this month in Philadelphia.

Selection for the $3,000 scholarship is based on academic achievement, athletic training clinical experiences, extracurricular activities, leadership, and other honors.

Earl is a second-year student at Daemen and an active member of the college’s Athletic Training Student Association. He is a Kenmore resident.

“These scholarships speak to the high quality of our athletic training program and the caliber of our students,” said Dr. Nicole Chimera, athletic training program director and associate professor. “We congratulate Rebecca and Caleb for receiving scholarships from such prestigious professional organizations.”

 

 

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Vissering South Atlantic League Trainer of the Year

Article reposted from wbtv.com
Author: wbtv.com

South Atlantic League President Eric Krupa has announced the recipients of the 2016 South Atlantic League Outstanding Achievement Awards, with Hickory Crawdads Athletic Trainer Dustin Vissering receiving the Athletic Trainer of the Year Award.

Vissering, 28, just completed his first season as the athletic trainer for the ‘Dads and his third year overall in the Texas Rangers organization. He served in the same capacity with the AZL Rangers in 2014 and for the Spokane Indians in 2015. Prior to joining the Rangers, Vissering spent the 2013 season as a minor league athletic trainer in the Kansas City organization before working as an assistant athletic trainer in the Arizona Fall League. The Illinois State graduate worked as a student athletic trainer during his time on campus, in addition to time as trainer at Normal West Community High School. Vissering was also a graduate assistant at Western Illinois University, where he obtained a M.S. of Science in Sport Management.

“It’s nice to be recognized by my peers for the hard work we do,” said Vissering. “I wouldn’t have been able to win this award without the help of the great staff and team here in Hickory.”

Vissering was selected for the award by his peers in the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS).

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Nashville Sounds Brad LaRosa named PCL Athletic Trainer of the Year

Article reposted from Clarksville Online
Author: Clarksville Online

The Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) has selected Nashville Sounds’ Brad LaRosa the 2016 PCL Trainer of the Year.

The award is given annually to one member of each of the 16 Leagues in Minor League Baseball, as well as the Dominican Summer League, in a selection by their peers. As the PCL winner, LaRosa is now eligible for the Minor League Athletic Trainer of the Year award, which is voted upon by full membership of the PBATS and announced at the 2016 Major League Baseball Winter Meetings in Washington, D.C.

LaRosa is in his ninth season in the PCL, serving as the athletic trainer for Oakland affiliates Sacramento (2008-2014) and Nashville (2015-16).

This season he was responsible for the care of 57 different players, including nine on Major League Baseball rehab assignments; the Sounds enter play Thursday with a PCL-best 77-55 record.

Before joining the Athletics organization, LaRosa spent two seasons with the Florida Marlins (2003-04) and three with the St. Louis Cardinals (2005-07), working with each organization’s Double-A affiliate.

Over his 14-year career, the Illinois resident has been recognized on numerous occasions for his work. LaRosa was the 2007 recipient of the PBATS Minor League Athletic Trainer of the Year. He has also previously been named the PCL Trainer of the Year in 2012 and the Texas League Trainer of the Year in 2006.

LaRosa is a certified member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) and the Illinois Athletic Trainers Association. He attended Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, where he earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in kinesiology.

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PBATS Announces MiLB Athletic Trainer of the Year Awards

Article reposted from PBATS.com
Author: Sam Radbil

President Mark O’Neal of the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) today announced the winners of the Minor League Athletic Trainers of the Year Awards for the 2016 baseball season.

These awards are given annually to one member of each of the 16 leagues in Minor League Baseball, as well as one award for the Dominican Summer League.  An additional award is given to the Minor League Coordinator of the Year.

“I am extremely proud to announce PBATS’ Minor League Athletic Trainers of the Year,” O’Neal said. “These athletic trainers have had such a huge impact on their organizations and have been named, by their peers, the best athletic trainer in their respective league. I’m thrilled to see the dedication and professionalism on display all throughout the minor leagues. This group represents the next wave of great Major League athletic trainers, and I couldn’t be happier to award them for their hard work and excellence both on and off the field.”

All 16 league winners, the Dominican Summer League winner and the Minor League Coordinator of the Year will now be eligible for the prestigious Minor League Athletic Trainer of the Year award voted upon by the full membership of PBATS. That award will be given at the 2016 Major League Baseball Winter Meetings in Washington, D.C.

The Major League Athletic Training Staff of the Year will also be awarded at the 2016 MLB Winter Meetings. Last season, Nate Lucero, Rex Jones and James Ready of the Houston Astros took home the award. Like the Minor League Athletic Trainer of the Year award, the Major League award is voted on by the full membership of PBATS.

Award Winners:

League Winner Organization
Coordinator Jeff Collins Oakland Athletics
International League John Jochim Boston Red Sox
Pacific Coast League Bradley LaRosa Oakland Athletics
Eastern League Aaron Scott Philadelphia Phillies
Southern League Geoff Swanson Seattle Mariners
Texas League Grant Hufford Houston Astros
Florida State League Justin Ahrens Pittsburgh Pirates
California League Jason Kirkman Los Angeles Dodgers
Carolina League Toby Williams Chicago Cubs
Midwest League Jeff Paxson Milwaukee Brewers
South Atlantic League Dustin Vissering Texas Rangers
New York–Penn League Brian Newman Tampa Bay Rays
Northwest League Mickey Clarizio Colorado Rockies
Appalachian League Saburo Hagihara Kansas City Royals
Pioneer League Jesse Guffey Cincinnati Reds
Arizona League Teddy Blackwell Cleveland Indians
Gulf Coast League Troy Hoffert Philadelphia Phillies
Dominican Summer Darwin Tavarez Toronto Blue Jays

 

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Williams wins Carolina League Athletic Trainer of the Year Award

Article reposted from MILB.com
Author:John Vittas

Myrtle Beach Pelicans athletic trainer Toby Williams was named Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society Trainer of the Year for the Carolina League, the PBATS office announced Tuesday.

Williams has helped the Pelicans to a 71-55 record and a tie for the division lead in the second half of the season. This is Williams’ first season in Myrtle Beach and third as a member of the Chicago Cubs organization.

Born in Thailand, Williams spent a year in the Atlanta Braves’ organization in 2013 after earning his MEd in Kinesiology from Auburn University. The native of Richmond, Va. served as a graduate assistant at Auburn for three years after earning his B.S. in athletic training from Samford University (Ala.).

PBATS honors one trainer every year from each of the 16 leagues in Minor League Baseball. Williams and the other 15 winners are now eligible for the prestigious Minor League Athletic Trainer of the Year award, voted on by the full memberships of PBATS. That award will be given at the 2016 MLB Winter Meetings in Washington, D.C.

The Pelicans open a three-game series with the Carolina Mudcats at 7 p.m. in Zebulon, N.C. Tuesday. Trevor Clifton (6-7, 3.05) makes the start for Myrtle Beach against Enderson Franco (5-10, 4.75) of Carolina.

The 2016 season is the 18th season for the Pelicans franchise and second as the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. For information on tickets to see the Pelicans in 2016, please call (843) 918-6000, e-mail info@myrtlebeachpelicans.com, or visit www.MyrtleBeachPelicans.com.

ABOUT THE PELICANS: The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Chicago Cubs and play their home games at TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The park has ranked in the top eight in all of Minor League Baseball by Stadium Journey in each of the last five seasons. The same publication also placed the Pelicans in the Top 100 Stadium Experiences in all of sports in each of the last five years and the best in the Carolina League for five straight seasons as well. In May 2015, TicketReturn.Com Field at Pelicans Ballpark won the 2015 TripAdvisor.com Certificate of Excellence award. The Pelicans are the defending Mills Cup Champions, winning the title in 2015 as well as 2000 and co-Mills Cup championship honors in the inaugural 1999 season. The Pelicans have made nine postseason appearances behind 11 half-season Southern Division championships, including the first half of the 2015 season, as well as five Southern Division titles, most recently in 2015. For more information on the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, please contact the Pelicans at (843) 918-6000 or emailing Info@MyrtleBeachPelicans.com

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.

 

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Justin Ahrens Named PBATS Florida State league Athletic Trainer of the Year

Article reposted from Bradenton Herald
Author: Bradenton Herald

Bradenton Marauders Athletic Trainer Justin Ahrens has been recognized as Florida State League Athletic Trainer of the Year by the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society, which presents an annual award to one athletic trainer in each of the 16 leagues in Minor League Baseball.

Ahrens is the first Marauders athletic trainer to receive the FSL’s Athletic Trainer of the Year recognition from PBATS. The 27-year-old Wisconsin native is in his second season as the athletic trainer for the Marauders and fifth in the Pirates organization. Ahrens becomes eligible for the industrywide award, which will be presented at baseball’s annual winter meetings, in December. The overall award is voted on by the full membership of PBATS.

The Marauders will recognize Ahrens in an on-field ceremony prior to the 1 p.m. game against Fort Myers on Sunday.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/sports/article95362112.html#storylink=cpy
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Rangers show kids benefit of PLAY at ballpark

When Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos was growing up in Punto Fijo, Venezuela, he never had the chance to take batting practice with a Major League baseball player and spend time learning from them.

Saturday morning at Globe Life Park, approximately 140 kids got that opportunity, as the Rangers hosted the National PLAY (Promoting a Lifetime of Activity for Youth) Campaign, teaching the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle for children.

“I think as a baseball player, you can never forget where you come from. To be able to have the chance to help these kids learn something today, it’s a blessing,” Chirinos said. “You make those kids’ days when you come out here and throw batting practice. You can see the smile on the kids, they were so happy. So for me, it’s something that I do with my heart.”

Chirinos stressed the importance to the kids of not losing passion for the game, and to remember days like Saturday. That’s something he’s also taught to his 8-year-old son, David.

“I never had this chance when I was 8 years old. I just want to teach him to not take anything for granted, to show respect and learn the most he can from these players,” Chirinos said.

• Complete Youth Baseball coverage

PLAY is a public awareness campaign of the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society and works in conjunction with the Taylor Hooton Foundation and the Henry Schein Cares Foundation.

“It’s a fantastic way to get a bunch of kids out on the field to enjoy our second home,” said Rangers athletic trainer Matt Lucero. “It’s a way to educate the parents and the kids on ways to stay healthy and stay active — whether it’s nutrition, sleep or staying away from performance-enhancing drugs.

The Taylor Hooton Foundation began getting involved with the PLAY campaigns in 2008. The non-profit organization looks to educate children on the dangers of performance-enhancing drugs.

Coming to Globe Life Park has a special meaning to the foundation’s president, Don Hooton Sr.

Don’s youngest son, Taylor, the namesake of the foundation, played baseball at Plano West High, approximately 30 minutes from the stadium. Taylor took his own life in 2003, resulting from depression after taking anabolic steroids.

“There’s a little more passion when I come here, because I think it has more meaning to the parents,” Don said. “I tell them, ‘We’re just from Plano, just around the corner from here. This is real.'”

Since being created in 2004, the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society has held over 150 PLAY events inside all 30 Major-League stadiums.

Ryan Posner is a reporter for MLB.com based in Texas. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

CLICK HERE FOR ORIGINAL ARTICLE

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Lacambra and Jones accept Presidents Distinguished Service awards

At the 2015 MLB Winter Meetings in Nashville, Tenn., PBATS President Mark O’Neal present Magie Lacambra of Gatorade and Rex Jones of the Houston Astros with the 2015 President’s Distinguished Service awards for their honorable and relentless pursuit to strengthen the positive impact of PBATS as an educational society.

About the awards, President Mark O’Neal said, “Both Lacambra and Jones are two of the most well respected people to have ever worked with the PBATS membership. It goes without saying that without their hard work and continued passion for athletic training, PBATS would not be as well established and influential as it is today. We thank them for all of their hard work over the years. The entire membership is beyond appreciative of the efforts and support we’ve received from both Magie and Rex.”

Armed with a B.S. from Cal State Fullerton and a Master’s in Education from Arizona State University, Magie Lacambra embarked on a remarkable career as a Division I athletic trainer with Arizona State University. She also served as the Head Athletic Trainer for the University of Arizona football team.

In 2000, Magie joined the Gatorade Sports Marketing team. It is in that role that The Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society has had the good fortune to come to know and work with Magie. Demonstrating a remarkable commitment for the health of athletes, and those who serve them, Magie’s knowledge, friendship and unwavering support of PBATS mission has enhanced our ability as athletic trainers. She has undoubtedly helped us to better serve the athletes in our care.

Along with the deserving Lacambra, Rex Jones, who recently announced his retirement from the Houston Astros organization, accepted his award in front of the PBATS membership in Nashville.

Rex has spent his entire athletic training career with the Houston Astros. A lifetime Astros’ staff member, Rex received the call to the Major Leagues in 1994 after spending 16 years in the Astros’ Minor League system. He spent five years as the organization’s director of Minor League athletic trainers.

Jones started his pro baseball career in 1978 with the Class-A Daytona Beach club, while still earning his Bachelor’s degree in physical education from Missouri State University. After his time at Class-A Dayton Beach, Rex worked as the head athletic trainer for the Class-AA Columbus Astros from 1979 to 1983. He was eventually promoted to the Class-AAA Tucson Toros in 1983.

Rex is a Lockwood, Mo., native and a certified member of NATA, the Southwest Athletic Trainers Society and the Greater Houston Athletic Trainers Society. He is a licensed athletic trainer in the state of Texas. He and his wife, Annette, live in Manvel, Texas with their children Megan, Jeremiah, and Laura.

During Rex’s time served on the PBATS Board of Directors from 2002-2008, he helped oversee the largest expansion of PBATS programs in its history. His warm personal style coupled with his love of athletic training and PBATS made him an extremely valuable and respected board member and friend.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE:
http://pbats.com/lacambra-and-jones-accept-presidents-distinguished-service-awards/