‘I’m not the grim reaper’: Baseball medic helps players recover and get back in game

He’s been overseeing the health and safety of players at the Senior League Championships in Lismore, and it’s not always an easy job.

BASEBALL MEDIC: Overseeing the health and welfare of players on the diamond at the 2021 Australian Senior League Championships, Colbro Medics Yanik Koller is keen to use his skills for their benefit. Photo: Alison Paterson

Overseeing the health and welfare of players on the diamond at the 2021 Australian Senior League Championships, Colbro Medics Yanik Koller is keen to use his skills for their benefit.

Mr Koller, 22, said medics worked closely with teams to help players prevent injuries – and to keep them on the ground as long as possible during key games.

A final year paramedic science student at University of Sunshine Coast, Mr Koller has covered many different sports and events.

Standing by the main diamond at Albert Park baseball complex on Wednesday, Mr Koller said he’d like to work more closely with teams and their managers.

“I understand that some of the team EOs (executive officers) take on the initial care and only refer players to me if they need anything further, and I would like to see that changed, because I am here to help,” he said.

“I know possibly some of the players think I’m here to pull them off the field.

“But I try to stress as much as I can, I am here to help, I am not exactly the grim reaper of sport.

“My aim is to help players get back into the game in a safe manner so they are not causing themselves detrimental issues further on.”

Mr Koller said it can be an “art form” to persuade injured players to go and get a scan or treatment at the local emergency department, as they would prefer to stay and cheer on their team.

But he said his job was do everything he can to the best of his ability.

“These players have a lot of experience, this is not new to them,” he said.

“The players are doing lots of preventive medicine in that they wear their guards as much as they can.”

Mr Koller said as a courtesy, he contacted the local hospital to ensure he was across the local health infrastructure.

“Ahead of arriving here I made contact with Lismore Base Hospital so I am aware of their capabilities and understand where I might need to refer any patients while they are here,” he said.