The BaseballSoftballUK Medical and Science Commission was formed in 2022 to provide the Great Britain Baseball & Softball National Teams with the best available care both in and out of competition. Responsible for all aspects of sport medicine, from training programmes to sports science research and recovery aid, the Commission is chaired by Alan Dean and works year-round to ensure the National Teams can be their best, physically, technically, tactically and mentally.

As part of this effort, Soft Tissue Therapist and Commission member Katy Gould attended the Acute Wounds in Sport Assessment and Management clinic on Monday, 3 March, run by DREEAM, the academic department in the Urgent and Emergency Care directorate at the Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals.

“The work of the BSUK Medical and Science Commission is to maximise the impact of science, medicine and technology by bringing it closer to coaching and performance, said Katy. “We use technology and innovation that affect change and make a positive performance impact. As a soft tissue therapist, this helps to inform me where to prioritise injury-prevention efforts.”

“It’s important for me always to refresh existing skills or learn new skills to be the best therapist I can be to support this team in achieving their goals,” she added.

The session, designed specifically for medical professions engaged in pitch side care, ran from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, and covered both theory and practice, with the practical portion covering all types of gluing, stapling, suturing and more. The course had a particular focus on head and facial injuries, an area of particular focus for baseball and softball.

“We’re aware that softball players are prone to wounds such as abrasions, contusions, and lacerations – my takeaways from the DREEAM session will help to inform our planning for the supplies needed to care for our players, influences which supplies we bring with us when the team is away from their normal health care clinic during the competition season, and gives us more information to consider the appropriate management of wounds pitchside.“

The practical portion of the session and the inclusive learning environment were part of what made the course so valuable for Katy, as was the non-competition element of the training – something that will be more and more important in the lead-up to the LA2028 games.

BaseballSoftballUK Medical and Science Commission Chair Alan Dean was enthusiastic about the opportunity to add to the staff’s skill set, saying, “It is great to have professional support staff extend their current knowledge base. Katie is a driving force within our Med &Sci Commission and leads by example.”

“The knowledge gained on this course provides the programme with up-to-date training, ensuring we provide the best possible care for our athletes and staff.”

Katy added, “The DREEAMS course has provided the necessary skills to manage 'non time lost' injuries and sparked a review and modification of our approach to preseason preparation purposes of preventing injury and lowering injury rates during the season and ongoing Olympic cycle.”

For more about the Medical Commission, click here.

To find out more about DREEAM or to sign up for a future course, email Rebecca here.

Thanks to Katy for the photos!