PBATS Celebrates Connection, Education, and Recognition at 2025 NATA Conference in Orlando
ORLANDO, FL – June 24: PBATS alumni group celebrates Rick Griffin and his induction into the NATA Hall of Fame.
The Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) once again made a strong and unified presence at the 2025 NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo in Orlando, Florida, gathering athletic trainers from across Major League Baseball and beyond to celebrate achievements, share knowledge, and reconnect as a community.
This year’s conference was especially meaningful for the PBATS brotherhood, as longtime member and respected leader Rick Griffin was officially inducted into the NATA Hall of Fame. Griffin, a former head athletic trainer for the Seattle Mariners, became the latest PBATS member to receive the profession’s highest honor, joining fellow legends Larry Starr, Jeff Cooper, Kent Biggerstaff, and Mark Letendre as members the NATA Hall of Fame. Griffin’s induction was met with a resounding show of support, with dozens of PBATS members and alumni in attendance to honor his decades of impact in professional baseball and athletic training.
“Rick’s Hall of Fame induction is a testament not only to his remarkable career but to the values that unite us as PBATS members,” said Nick Kenney, PBATS President and Director of Medical Administration for the Kansas City Royals. “We were proud to stand beside him and celebrate a legacy that’s inspired so many of us in this profession.”
NATA President AJ Duffy also presented PBATS with the President’s Award for Service which honored PBATS, the NBATA, and PFATS. The honor, accepted by Nick Kenney, acknowledged the groups ongoing commitment to advancing the profession of athletic training through leadership, education, and service to others.
One of the most well-attended and talked-about educational events at this year’s conference was the PBATS-led presentation on UCL injuries, a topic of growing interest across all levels of baseball and sports medicine. Moderated by Steve Donohue, former longtime head athletic trainer for the New York Yankees, the session featured an in-depth presentation by Sean McFarland of the Detroit Tigers and drew nearly 300 attendees. The presentation offered insights into the evolution of UCL treatment and rehabilitation strategies, as well as the unique demands of managing elbow health in elite pitchers.
“Education is a cornerstone of our mission,” Kenney added. “Having a standing-room-only crowd at our UCL session reflects not only the quality of our presenters but the appetite within the athletic training community to learn from those working at the highest levels of sport.”
Beyond the awards and professional development sessions, the conference also served as a meaningful gathering point for PBATS alumni and international guests. Paul Spicuzza, a PBATS alum and longtime event coordinator, marked his 20th year organizing two of the Society’s most cherished annual traditions—the International Presidents Reception and the PBATS Alumni Dinner. Both events provided a warm, celebratory atmosphere for current and former members to reconnect and reflect on the bonds that continue to unite the PBATS family across generations.
In a surprise appearance that energized the room, Honorary PBATS Member Neil Romano joined the alumni dinner, offering his support and camaraderie to the group. Romano, a longtime advocate for athletic trainers and former Assistant Secretary of Labor for Disability Employment Policy, has remained a vocal supporter of the profession and its importance in both sports and society.
For many in attendance, the 2025 NATA Conference in Orlando was more than just a professional gathering—it was a reunion of colleagues, mentors, and friends who have walked similar paths in baseball and athletic training. From hall of fame honors to powerful educational moments and late-night dinners filled with laughter and stories, the week was a reminder of the deep roots and enduring spirit of the PBATS community.
As the society looks ahead to its next initiatives and the second half of the baseball season, the momentum from Orlando will continue to fuel its mission of education, service, and support for athletic trainers at every level.
“Our presence at NATA each year reflects who we are—united, passionate, and committed to the profession,” said Kenney. “We’re incredibly proud of what PBATS represents, and this year’s conference was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do.”