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The kids at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt had some pretty hard-hitting questions for the baseball players visiting them June 19.
What's your favorite movie? What was your favorite subject in school? What's your favorite food? At one point, a girl dropped a question with a tone worthy of an on-air anchor: What's your style?
Andy Cosgrove, a Party Animals catcher known for helping his teammates dress to impress, jumped right in to answer.
"I'm a firm believer in baggy pants," said Cosgrove, who was sporting a pair of wide-leg slacks. "I don't like pants that touch your legs."
Cosgrove was flanked by his teammate Mark Smith, along with Taj Porter and Nick Lopez of the Texas Tailgaters. All four play in the wildly popular Banana Ball league, which has six teams anchored by the Savannah Bananas. The Tailgaters and Party Animals faced off at First Horizon Park in Nashville for three games.
More: Banana Ball Nashville weather forecast, schedule, tickets
The players sat down for a live interview at Seacrest Studios in the hospital then spent time taking photos, signing baseballs and hats and giving all the high fives, hugs and fist bumps the kids and families on hand wanted. All the children receive care at Vanderbilt, several of whom are currently inpatient.
Bentley West, 14, was all smiles as he held two signed baseballs — one for him and one for his 9-year-old brother, Brayden.
"My favorite team is the Party Animals," Bentley said, adding that Cosgrove is his favorite player.
Their mother, Ashley West, said the family is at the children's hospital often for appointments. She said both boys have myotonic dystrophy and that Bentley is autistic.
"They love coming to these kinds of things," West said. "It makes them excited and not scared to come to the doctor because they know usually there's something going on."
For 15-year-old David Smith, the event was a welcomed break as he recovered from surgery at the hospital. He and his parents came all the way from Guam for his treatment. A golfer and volleyball player, he said he was hopeful he'd get released that day.
"This was my first time meeting pretty much any professional athletes. I was really excited," Smith said after getting a photo with the players and having his baseball hat signed. "It was definitely a really cool experience."
Banana Ball and Dunkin' teamed up to give away 30 tickets to patients and their families.
Fans will have another chance to meet players at the grand opening of a new Nashville Dunkin' at 7120 Highway 70 S from 9-11 a.m. June 20.
"The visit was incredibly heartwarming, with players taking photos and creating special memories with patients and their families," a news release from the event organizers said. "The overwhelming excitement and positive energy throughout the event made for an amazing turnout and highlighted the meaningful impact these community moments can have."
Rachel Wegner covers education and children's issues for The Tennessean. Got a story you think she should hear? Reach her via email at [email protected]. You can also find her on X or Bluesky under the handle RachelAnnWegner.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Banana Ball players visit Vanderbilt children's hospital
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What's your favorite movie? What was your favorite subject in school? What's your favorite food? At one point, a girl dropped a question with a tone worthy of an on-air anchor: What's your style?
Andy Cosgrove, a Party Animals catcher known for helping his teammates dress to impress, jumped right in to answer.
You must be registered for see images
"I'm a firm believer in baggy pants," said Cosgrove, who was sporting a pair of wide-leg slacks. "I don't like pants that touch your legs."
Cosgrove was flanked by his teammate Mark Smith, along with Taj Porter and Nick Lopez of the Texas Tailgaters. All four play in the wildly popular Banana Ball league, which has six teams anchored by the Savannah Bananas. The Tailgaters and Party Animals faced off at First Horizon Park in Nashville for three games.
More: Banana Ball Nashville weather forecast, schedule, tickets
The players sat down for a live interview at Seacrest Studios in the hospital then spent time taking photos, signing baseballs and hats and giving all the high fives, hugs and fist bumps the kids and families on hand wanted. All the children receive care at Vanderbilt, several of whom are currently inpatient.
You must be registered for see images attach
Bentley West, 14, was all smiles as he held two signed baseballs — one for him and one for his 9-year-old brother, Brayden.
"My favorite team is the Party Animals," Bentley said, adding that Cosgrove is his favorite player.
Their mother, Ashley West, said the family is at the children's hospital often for appointments. She said both boys have myotonic dystrophy and that Bentley is autistic.
"They love coming to these kinds of things," West said. "It makes them excited and not scared to come to the doctor because they know usually there's something going on."
You must be registered for see images
For 15-year-old David Smith, the event was a welcomed break as he recovered from surgery at the hospital. He and his parents came all the way from Guam for his treatment. A golfer and volleyball player, he said he was hopeful he'd get released that day.
"This was my first time meeting pretty much any professional athletes. I was really excited," Smith said after getting a photo with the players and having his baseball hat signed. "It was definitely a really cool experience."
Banana Ball and Dunkin' teamed up to give away 30 tickets to patients and their families.
Fans will have another chance to meet players at the grand opening of a new Nashville Dunkin' at 7120 Highway 70 S from 9-11 a.m. June 20.
"The visit was incredibly heartwarming, with players taking photos and creating special memories with patients and their families," a news release from the event organizers said. "The overwhelming excitement and positive energy throughout the event made for an amazing turnout and highlighted the meaningful impact these community moments can have."
Rachel Wegner covers education and children's issues for The Tennessean. Got a story you think she should hear? Reach her via email at [email protected]. You can also find her on X or Bluesky under the handle RachelAnnWegner.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Banana Ball players visit Vanderbilt children's hospital
Continue reading...
