Get Personal with PBATS (#05): Detroit Tigers, Sean McFarland


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PBATS is excited to announce a new series called Get Personal with PBATS.

As part of this series, both Major and Minor League Baseball athletic trainers will be sharing both personal and professional information about themselves, in order to help younger athletic trainers understand the life of a professional baseball athletic trainer, the variety of roads traveled within this profession, recommendations across a wide variety of topics, as well as some information about how these pros worked their way into professional baseball.

Our fifth installment of the Q&A is brought to you by Sean McFarland. Sean is the head athletic trainer for the Detroit Tigers (High-A) affiliate the Lakeland Flying Tigers.

Let’s get into it!

1. Favorite moment as a baseball athletic trainer?

Answer: My favorite moment as an Athletic Trainer was when I was given the opportunity to work on my own for the Detroit Tigers short season affiliate team for the season.

2. Favorite aspect about athletic training in general?

Answer: Working with athletes to get them through the injury process and progressing all the way to return to play process/keeping them healthy is a special feeling.

3. Advice for young athletic trainers trying to get in baseball?

Answer: Always keep your eye on for various position openings and don’t be afraid to stay connected.

4. Hobby outside of work?

Answer: Getting outside and being outdoors. Going fishing and kayaking especially.

5. Favorite Quote?


6. What’s a book you’d recommend?

Answer: I would recommend the book PEAK Performance by Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness.

7. How many years have you been an Athletic Trainer?

Answer: I have been a Certified Athletic Trainer for 4 years. I started my Athletic Training career with the Detroit Tigers Organization in 2017 for the Gulf Coast League East Tigers. I am now the Lakeland Flying Tigers Athletic Trainer.

8. What is your personal motto to live by?

Answer: Seize the day.

9. What was your favorite Athletic Training Class when you were in school?

Answer:My favorite Athletic Training class while I was in school were the upper/lower extremity and biomechanics courses.

10. Favorite city to travel to?

Answer: Boston, MA.


A huge thanks to Sean McFarland for contributing this information to the series. And please check back next week for another edition of the Get Personal with PBATS series.