Fans attend Banana Ball expecting dancing, backflips, trick plays, and nonstop entertainment. What they rarely see is the sports medicine team working behind the scenes to make every performance possible.
That responsibility falls in part to Frances Gilbert, Director of Athletic Training for the Savannah Bananas and Banana Ball. Now in her fourth season, Gilbert leads the Bananas' medical staff while overseeing athletic trainers across the organization.
"One thing that's so unique here is that so much of it requires creativity," Gilbert said.
Unlike traditional baseball, Banana Ball presents challenges few Athletic Trainers ever encounter.
"Hey, I need to be pain-free on stilts," she said with a laugh. "All right... how do we accomplish that?"
To meet those demands, Gilbert's team blends traditional sports medicine with concepts borrowed from performing arts medicine. Athletic trainers collaborate with strength and conditioning coaches, sports dietitians, and mental performance specialists to help players safely perform the athletic feats fans expect every night.
Gilbert joined the Bananas after working in college baseball and the National Women's Soccer League. Since arriving, she has helped grow the sports medicine department from one full-time Athletic Trainer to six, with each Banana Ball team now supported by its own dedicated athletic trainer.
"I'm just so proud of what we've been able to build and develop," Gilbert said.
While fans remember the spectacular catches, dancing, and crowd interactions, Gilbert knows those moments begin long before first pitch.
Injury prevention, rehabilitation, and creative problem-solving allow players to perform with confidence—making athletic trainers an essential part of the Banana Ball experience, even if they rarely receive the spotlight. Read the full story here!