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DOC ON DECK Bristol Hospital sports medicine surgeon keeps New Britain Bees players buzzing \\ By Karen Ali F or New Britain Bees players, staying healthy isn't just important to building and maintaining a quality team. Injuries can make or break a player's chance of moving up the sport's ranks, maybe even to a Major League Baseball (MLB) career. "There is a lot at stake since many of the players are hoping at a shot of either returning to the major leagues or playing at that level for the first time in their career," said New Britain Bees General Manager Gerry Berthiaume. Berthiaume said having a good team doctor — who attends games, and who players can call on for immediate care — is crucial. at's why the team established a partnership during its inaugural season last year with nearby Bristol Hospital, whose sports medicine specialist and orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Chris Betz, provides medical coverage to Bees players. Betz, whose appointment with the Bees is part time, works closely with trainers for the Atlantic League team and is notified immediately if a Bees player ends up in the emergency room. Ironically, though, the most serious injury the fledgling team has experienced in its first two years wasn't suffered by a player. Last year manager Stan Cliburn fractured his ankle. "I got hit with a line drive," Cliburn said. Overall, Bees players tend to suffer more chronic baseball injuries, like strained hamstrings or elbow tendinitis. Still, if nagging conditions aren't treated properly, they can endanger any patient's health. "Any injury can have a serious effect on the patient's job and career," said Betz, who worked with the Boston Red Sox during a UMass Medical School fellowship. "Whether they're a professional athlete or someone who has a job that requires physical activity, the patient wants to get back to work or on the field to earn a living." When he's not attending to the team, Betz Dr. Chris Betz (left) looks on in the New Britain Bees dugout as players warmup before a recent home game. 18 GREATER HARTFORD HEALTH • Summer 2017