Phillies and Orioles Host Back-to-Back PBATS PLAY Campaign Events, Inspiring Youth Across the East Coast
PHILADELPHIA – Phillies athletic trainers host local area youth for 2025 PLAY campaign on August 18th.
The Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS), in partnership with the Taylor Hooton Foundation, Song for Charlie, and the Henry Schein Cares Foundation, continued its impactful 2025 PLAY (Promoting a Lifetime of Activity for Youth) Campaign with two dynamic events in Philadelphia and Baltimore. These back-to-back events brought energy, education, and inspiration to more than 200 local young people—marking some of the final stops on PBATS’ summer-long nationwide tour.
A Day of Learning at Citizens Bank Park
On August 18th, the Philadelphia Phillies hosted 100 youth from the greater Philadelphia area at Citizens Bank Park for a full morning of education, movement, and mentorship. The event was led by the Phillies athletic training staff, including Head Athletic Trainer Paul Buchheit and Assistant Athletic Trainers Joe Rauch and Christian Bermudez.
Participants rotated through a series of hands-on stations designed to teach the fundamentals of health and fitness, injury prevention, and the role athletic trainers play in keeping athletes on the field and performing at their best. Youth participants had the rare opportunity to interact with MLB-level athletic training professionals and see firsthand what it means to promote a healthy lifestyle.
Adding to the impactful day were special presentations from Donald Hooton Jr., President of the Taylor Hooton Foundation, and Ed Ternan, co-founder of Song for Charlie. Both speakers delivered powerful, age-appropriate messages about the dangers of performance-enhancing substances and counterfeit drugs, respectively—key components of PBATS’ commitment to holistic health and safety education.
The event also featured a surprise guest as Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola joined the group for an engaging Q&A session. Nola spoke candidly about his journey to the big leagues, the importance of taking care of your body and mind, and the value of surrounding yourself with positive influences. For many of the young attendees, this was a once-in-a-lifetime moment to hear advice from a Major League Baseball star.
As always, the Henry Schein Cares Foundation supported the PLAY Campaign with health resources and supplies, ensuring that all youth had access to valuable take-home materials to reinforce the lessons learned during the day.
Orioles Continue the Momentum at Camden Yards
Just a few days later, on August 21st, the PLAY Campaign traveled down I-95 to Oriole Park at Camden Yards for another impactful stop—this time hosted by the Baltimore Orioles. The event welcomed another group of 100 youth from the Baltimore area for a similar experience of hands-on health education and life lessons.
Leading the event was Head Athletic Trainer Scott Barringer, along with Assistant Athletic Trainers Mark Shires, Patrick Wesley, and Chris Poole. The Orioles athletic training staff brought their expertise and enthusiasm to each station, helping educate and inspire the next generation on how to take care of their bodies through movement, injury prevention, and good nutrition.
Again, Donald Hooton Jr. and Ed Ternan took the field to deliver their important messages about staying safe, staying informed, and making smart decisions—topics that continue to resonate with families and communities across the country.
This event also featured Orioles players Coby Mayo and Cade Povich, who joined the group for a Q&A session. Both players emphasized the importance of hard work, making good choices, and being mentally and physically prepared to chase big dreams. Their stories of perseverance and discipline left a lasting impression on the young attendees.
As with the Phillies event, the Henry Schein Cares Foundation was on site, providing critical support and health-related resources that help extend the impact of the PLAY Campaign beyond the ballpark.
One More Stop: Detroit
With the summer winding down, there is just one stop remaining on the 2025 PLAY Campaign tour. The final event will be held on September 6th in Detroit, where the Tigers will host youth from the local community for one final day of education, inspiration, and celebration.
As always, PBATS will be joined by the Taylor Hooton Foundation, Song for Charlie, and the Henry Schein Cares Foundation in delivering the Campaign’s mission of promoting healthy decisions, lifelong activity, and drug awareness to young people across the country.
About the PLAY Campaign
Now in its 20th season, the PBATS PLAY Campaign has reached tens of thousands of young people in all 30 MLB cities. PLAY events are designed to educate youth about the importance of living a healthy lifestyle, avoiding drugs and dangerous substances, and staying physically active. Each event is made possible through the dedicated work of MLB athletic trainers, guest speakers, and community partners who share a passion for empowering the next generation.