Reese Alexiades and DR Meadows wanted the major leagues. Instead, they found something else, playing for the Savannah Bananas in front of some of the biggest crowds in baseball.
Alexiades played college baseball at Pepperdine University. Meadows played at Division II school Columbus State. Neither played minor league baseball, but both now play for the Bananas, with Meadows the organization’s all-time leader in “trick plays” and Alexiades playing in a cape.
The team has sold out MLB ballparks and played in front of six-figure crowds at football stadiums. Alexiades said some baseball purists might change their minds about Banana Ball “if they came to a game and caught an out.”
Meadows said one of the biggest misconceptions about the Bananas is that the games are not “scripted” like the Harlem Globetrotters.
“There’s a huge difference. In our league, all our teams are out to win. We’re very competitive… Just this past weekend, we lost two out of three in Chicago against the Firefighters, and our guys were not happy,” Meadows told Fox News Digital in a recent interview.
“At the end of the day, we’re there for a bigger picture: to put on a show for the fans, break down the wall for the kids there and put smiles on faces. That’s what makes Banana Ball beautiful. Even though we get to have fun competing, winning and losing, we still get to make somebody’s day.”
Alexiades said the Bananas now give kids a new kind of player to look up to.
“One of the big reasons why I fell in love with baseball is looking up to other players. Now kids can look up to us, and what we’re all about is bringing fun to the game of baseball. Kids being able to see us and see how much fun we have, that’s what it’s all about. We try to be the best role models we can be for kids because the kids are what it’s all about,” he said.
Meadows said that reach is already showing up with young fans.
“You see kids at the Little League World Series listing their favorite players, and some are Bananas players. To know we have that kind of platform and like Reese was saying, it all comes from having fun, playing the game and having fun. Youth sports these days should be less pressure and a lot more fun. I think it’s cool that kids are getting to see how much fun we have and get to take that to their own game,” he said.
Alexiades and Meadows recently visited a children’s hospital in Tennessee and gave children Dairy Queen treats. On Thursday, for every Blizzard bought at select locations, at least $1 will be donated to Children’s Miracle Network to support local children’s hospitals.
“That’s the beauty of our platform and this partnership: We can really make an impact, and so can other people,” Alexiades said.
“Getting to see those kids, put a smile on their faces, bring them Blizzard Treats and enjoy those with them was super cool. The amount of joy DQ brings and the Bananas bring, it all made sense,” Meadows added.
Alexiades said the Bananas gave him a chance to keep playing after hearing no at points in his career.
“The whole goal is to be able to play the game we love for as long as we can. A lot of us, me included, and people in this organization have been told no at some point in their careers. The Bananas have given me a chance to keep going, keep playing and realize that it’s for a bigger purpose now,” he said.
“I get to go and probably have more fun than I would have ever had if I played in the major leagues. So I’m having the time of my life, and this is exactly where God put me.”
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