Chapter 5: On the Road Again
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.
Back on the road, back to the grind. This past week took us from Pensacola to Birmingham and everywhere in between. From bus breakdowns and medical emergencies to doubleheaders and rainouts, road trips in Double-A baseball are anything but predictable. Here’s how I kept the team moving forward, no matter what came our way.
Monday, April 28 – Doctor’s Orders
The day started with another medical check-up for one of our injured players. I met him at our doctor’s office for imaging and evaluation. Once the diagnosis and plan of care were established, I updated our directors and coaching staff. After grabbing some lunch, I headed to the stadium to upload all the medical documentation into the EMR. With the reports filed, I turned to road prep—checking the travel trunks and making sure we were fully stocked for the trip to Birmingham.
Tuesday, April 29 – The Bus Breakdown
Arriving at the stadium at 7:30 a.m., I helped load the equipment and boarded the bus at 9:00. About two hours into the drive, one of our buses had a tire blowout—unlucky timing, but we adapted. We loaded the essential gear into a truck following the bus, then crammed onto one bus for the final stretch. Once we got to Birmingham, I set up the training room, checked in with the manager and staff, and jumped into our usual maintenance and activation routines. After treatments and player prep, it was game time. Once the game wrapped, I handled post-game treatments, updates, and the nightly phone call to my wife.
Wednesday, April 30 – Early Start & Family Time
Kids Day at the ballpark means an early game, so I got to the stadium by 7:00 a.m. After setting up the training room, it was the usual morning meeting with the manager and coaching staff, followed by player routines and pre-game prep. After the 11:05 a.m. game, I ran post-game treatments and caught up on notes. With the early finish, I was able to grab a meal and spend some time with my family—a rare but appreciated break on the road.
Thursday, May 1 – Midnight Emergency
My night took a turn when I got a call from a staff member around midnight. They weren’t feeling well and needed medical attention. I coordinated getting them to the ER and stayed in contact throughout the night. The next morning, I checked in on them before heading to the stadium for our usual routine. Long night, but the team comes first. The rest of the day was about staying consistent: setup, treatments, pre-game work, and managing the game. Wrapped up with post-game care and updates.
Friday, May 2 – Rained Out
Got to the stadium at 11:30 a.m. for what turned out to be a washout. We followed the normal routine—setting up, pre-game prep—but just as we were getting ready, the game was called due to rain. Instead of game-time chaos, it was post-rainout cleanup, player treatments, and a quiet return to the hotel.
Saturday, May 3 – Doubleheader Drama
Game day started at 11:30 a.m., preparing for a doubleheader at 4:30 p.m. But of course, it wasn’t that simple—a rain delay pushed the first pitch to 6:00 p.m. During pre-game, a player reported feeling unwell. I assessed him, notified the directors, and developed a care plan. After pre-game treatments, we finally kicked off the doubleheader. Once Game 1 ended, we immediately transitioned to the next round of warm-ups. The night stretched long, and we got back to the hotel around 12:15 a.m.—exhausted but satisfied we made it through.
Sunday, May 4 – Heading Home
With a later game start of 4:05 p.m., I reported around 11:00 a.m. to get things set up. We went through our usual pre-game routine, and once the game wrapped up, I handled the post-game responsibilities and started packing for the bus ride home. We left Birmingham around 8:00 p.m. and made it back to Pensacola by midnight. After unloading the gear, I finally headed home—already planning for our next road trip to Biloxi, MS.
Looking Ahead
This road trip had its challenges—from breakdowns and injuries to weather delays and long nights. The biggest lesson? Adaptability. No matter what the day throws at us, we keep moving forward, always prepared for the next task. As we head into another stretch on the road, I’m ready to keep pushing, keep learning, and keep supporting the team, day in and day out.
See you in Biloxi.