Staff Writer

Oct. 18, 2000 10 PM

Pike County native and professional baseball player Brian Meadows hit a home run for the March of Dimes earlier this year when he agreed to help raise money for the cause.

The Kansas City Royals starting pitcher will be the honored with Brian Meadows Days Nov. 9 and 10 to help the March of Dimes raise money for sick children.

It was after a visit to a children’s hospital in 1998 that Meadows took up the fight for those who can’t fight for themselves. He even pledged $100 to children’s charities for each strike out he pitched.

"I’m happy the March of Dimes had included me in their fund-raising events," Meadows said. "It’s not often that you have the opportunity to be part of something that affects the lives of so many people. It’s exciting for me to be involved in the fight to save babies."

While he is here, Meadows and the Pike County March of Dimes will host four different fund-raising events.

On Nov. 9, Meadows will head over to Troy Elementary School for Troy Bank and Trust KidsAdvantage Club WALKMANIA, where he will present trophies to students who raise the most money in their division.

That night, Meadows will be honored with a reception at The Emporium, during which he will be presented the key to the city of Troy by Mayor Jimmy Lunsford and "Brian Meadows Day" will be proclaimed. The Jim Bell Trio will also perform until 8:30 p.m.

Meadows will be up early for the First National Bank of Brundidge Brian Meadows Golf Classic at the Brundidge Country Club. Tournament registration and lunch will begin at 11 a.m. followed by a shotgun start at noon.

Entry for the four-man scramble is open to the public. Mulligans will be sold for $5 each with a one-per-person limit.

That night, Bill Jackson Chevrolet will sponsor "Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie and Brian Meadows" at the Pike County Fairgrounds.

Between 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m., families can gather for food, a silent auction and a fastest pitch contest for the kids. Also, there will be a homemade apple pie baking contest judged by Meadows, who will sign autographs and pose of photographs.