Chapter 23: The Final Road Trip
By Adam Sparks, Pensacola Blue Wahoos Athletic Trainer (Miami Marlins AA Affiliate)
Tales of the Tape: My Journey as a Double-A Athletic Trainer is a behind-the-scenes look at what it truly takes to support a professional baseball team through a grueling Double-A season—told through the eyes of Adam Sparks, the athletic trainer for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. While players chase their big-league dreams, Adam is working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep them healthy, prepared, and on the field. From early mornings in the training room to late-night treatments after walk-off wins (or tough losses), this series pulls back the curtain on the day-to-day life of a minor league athletic trainer—the routines, the challenges, the unexpected moments, and the heart that goes into a job most fans never see. We hope you enjoy following the journey. Now, let’s get started.
As the final road trip of the season took us to Biloxi, the week offered a mix of routine and reflection. From managing daily care and injury evaluations to coordinating medication and road logistics, every task served as a reminder: when the season winds down, the details matter more than ever.
Monday, September 1
Hard to believe, but we’re on our final road trip of the year. I arrived at the stadium around 10:00 a.m. to load the bus for Biloxi, Mississippi. We hit the road at 11:00 and arrived by 2:00 p.m. I helped unload and got to work setting up the training room. After checking in with the staff, I handled treatments, activations, and fatigue monitoring. Following bullpens and on-field prep, I continued getting guys ready before the game. I sent player updates during the game and followed with post-game arm care, recovery, notes, and a call home.
Tuesday, September 2
A rare off day. I picked up the coaching staff’s rental car, hit a workout, and enjoyed a relaxing dinner. Closed the day with the usual call home.
Wednesday, September 3
I arrived at noon and began the daily routine: setting up, treatments, activation programs, and pitcher monitoring. After on-field work and bullpens, I returned inside to finish prep before the game. After player updates and post-game recovery, I finished up with notes and my nightly call home.
Thursday, September 4
Back at the stadium by 12:30 p.m. A player reported discomfort, so I evaluated him and notified the directors. After getting the training room and dugout ready, I managed the usual treatments and bullpens. Postgame included recovery work, notes, and check-ins. Then back to the hotel—and another phone call home.
Friday, September 5
Picked up lunch and arrived at the field around 12:30. I reevaluated the player from Thursday and coordinated with our MD, who prescribed medication. Once the day’s setup and check-ins were done, I covered bullpens and treatments, sent updates during the game, and ended with the usual wrap-up and phone call home.
Saturday, September 6
At the field by 10:15 a.m. I made sure our player got his medication and had our rehab guy work early. After that, it was full swing into the daily rhythm of treatments, bullpens, and pregame prep. Game coverage, post-game recovery, notes—and yes, another call home.
Sunday, September 7
I started the day by returning the rental car before arriving at the stadium around 11:30. I got the training room ready and had our rehab player work before the full group arrived. After bullpens and game prep, I managed recovery work and packed up for the trip home. We left Biloxi around 8:30 p.m. and arrived in Pensacola by 10:30. One final homestand ahead—Columbus comes to town this week.