‘Brian Meadows Days’ here

By BETH LAKEY

Staff Writer

Nov. 6, 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 several different fund-raising events, including a silent auction on Nov. 10 at the Pike County Fairgrounds during "Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie and Brian Meadows," which is being sponsored by Bill Jackson Chevrolet.

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.

And, if hotdogs and chips are not your favorite, there will be plenty of chicken dinners on sale.

Dianne Smith, chairwoman of the March of Dimes Community Council in Pike County, said there will be a variety of items up for auction.

The bidding will open at 5:30 p.m. and close at 8 p.m., Smith said.

Some of the items that will be auctioned include a rocking horse hand made by Pete Farrar, a baby blanket hand made by Susie Senn and photo packages from Townhouse Photographers. There will also be sports memorabilia, such as autographed photos of Nolan Ryan and Yogi Berra and a bat signed by Lou Brock, on the auction block.

"We have some other things we’re working on," Smith said of the auction.

"We’re hoping to have some bigger items so we can have a live auction," she said.

But, perhaps what most people will be looking for is the honoree.

Meadows will be on hand to sign autographs and pose for photographs during the evening. Plus, he will be judging the homemade apple pie baking contest.

Smith said Meadows is concerned about children and "Brian Meadows Days" is an opportunity to "not only have him here to help raise money, but give him recognition for his accomplishments."

The professional baseball player will also be a part of Troy Bank and Trust KidsAdvantage Club Walkmania at Troy Elementary School on Nov. 9 and a reception at The Emporium at 6:30 p.m.

Also on Friday, the First National Bank of Brundidge Brian Meadows Golf Classic will be held at the Brundidge Country Club.

Meadows is the son of Edwin and Linda Meadows, who cheered him on as he began his career on the T-ball field in the Troy Parks and Recreation program. The major leaguer pitched for the Dixie Pre-Majors team that brought home the state championship and went on to the Pre-Majors World Series in Texas. he also pitched for the Charles Henderson High School Trojans and was selected by the Florida Marlins organization in the third round of the free agent draft in 1994.