COLUMBUS, Ohio — OSU Upper Extremity Fellowship student Joseph Hallock has big dreams for his physical therapy career.

The North Dakota native wants to join the big leagues- specifically Major League Baseball.

What You Need To Know

  • OSU Upper Extremity Fellowship student Joseph Hallock has big dreams for his physical therapy career

  • Originally from North Dakota, he hopes to join Major League Baseball as a physical therapist

  • He came to Ohio State University to take part in a 12-month Upper Extremity Athlete Fellowship

  • The experience has given him the opportunity to work hand in hand with ballplayers from the Cleveland Guardians triple-A affiliate, the Columbus Clippers

“The jobs are kinda harder to come by, so that's where doing fellowships, getting to know a lot of people, and just kind of shaking a lot of hands," said Hallock. "It can help you."

Hallock, a thousand miles away from his hometown of Fargo, North Dakota, and wants to work for the MLB by helping athletes rehab from shoulder and other upper extremity injuries. 

He knows, much like a minor league ballplayer's rise to the big leagues, that journey can be an upward climb. 

“That's three years of PT school where you still have to see geriatric population, pediatric population, you still have to see the full gambit and kinda learn about everything,” Hallock said.

Hallock, a soon-to-be husband, father of one, and baseball player himself, came to Ohio State University to take part in a 12-month Upper Extremity Athlete Fellowship.

The experience has given him the opportunity to work hand in hand with ballplayers from the Cleveland Guardians triple-A affiliate, the Columbus Clippers. 

“During the game I'm in the dugout, watching to see, hopefully, nothing goes wrong, we don't need to go out there. And then post-game as well, see how guys feel after the game, taking them through their post-game routines, writing out notes that we send to the organization," Hallock said. "Seeing how excited guys can get is pretty awesome because you feel like a little part of that. You get to share in their joy."

Ohio State has the longest-standing accredited PT Upper Extremity Athlete Fellowship in the nation. 

And there are currently six physical therapists with four different organizations in Major League Baseball who attended Ohio State. 

“When it comes to the didactic and the education standpoint, it's pretty lock tight with teaching things that are very relevant and very current to baseball. And so I really enjoy that, on that standpoint," he said. "As well, people here at the Crane, they're just great to work with. They're always willing to help."

Hallock said when the season's done he will still work at Ohio State and help with the new fellow that starts in September. 

But, he’ll be ready when Major League Baseball posts new job opportunities. 

“You try and stay optimistic and hope that those same opportunities are open kinda this offseason," Hallock said. "So I hope to continue that kinda legacy going forward."