After growing up in a country where baseball is a national passion, a University of Central Missouri student got an inside-look at what it takes to keep professional players in top condition while preparing for his own professional career.
Hoping to someday work in the Major Leagues, Takao Iwano, an athletic training major from Abiko, Chiba, Japan, was one of only seven individuals selected to participate in an internship program sponsored by the Japan Baseball Athletic Trainers Society in cooperation with the American Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society.
The experience took him to Arizona in early March, where he spent a week with the Kansas City Royals at their training facility in Surprise, and the Seattle Mariners in Peoria.
Iwano said the internship gave him an opportunity to see players that he watched on televised baseball in Japan and America. He was particularly excited about the opportunity to work with the Royals, which won the American League Pennant in 2014. He was in the dugout during games, and was “fist-bumped” by Major League players.
More than just a fun experience for a longtime baseball fan, this opportunity entailed long hours and lots of work. Iwano said he would be on the job by 5:15 a.m., performing tasks such as setting up the hydrotherapy station, and getting ice and towels ready for the players. He participated in pre-game, pre-practice, and field setups, in addition to working with professional Athletic Trainers to observe pre-game, pre- and post-practice treatments. Iwano interacted frequently with the certified training staff.
Brian Hughes, professor and athletic training program director, applauded Iwano for seeking out the opportunity with JBATS. Although students are required to participate in for-credit athletic training internships which are imbedded in the curriculum throughout each semester of their four-year program at UCM, he said Iwano’s experience was on his own, and for no academic credit.
Iwano paid his own expenses, including air fare and hotel costs. Hughes insisted, however, the investment and time were well spent for Iwano.
Iwano said this will not be the last time he applies for a baseball internship as he is looking to land another opportunity through PBATS next year.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE:
http://www.dailystarjournal.com/people/community/article_12bceda8-0e7a-5f45-9d16-f96101de1224.html