Reese Alexiades has always considered himself an introvert. But the second he gets on the baseball field, that all changes. That’s a good thing, considering he is the starting right fielder for the Savannah Bananas.
The Bananas are not your traditional baseball team. Launched in 2016 as a college summer league team, the Savannah, Georgia-based exhibition barnstorming baseball team plays Banana Ball—a game that showcases trick plays, choreographed dances and plenty of crowd interaction.
“I’m a baseball guy, not much of a dancer,” says Reese with a smile. “I definitely had to work through it. I had to expect the unexpected because this is the opportunity I have been waiting for. I was going to give it everything I had and not hold back and embrace being uncomfortable. It’s easy when everyone around you is dancing too.”
Reese couldn’t be playing with the team at a better time. In his second season with the Bananas, they continue to grow in popularity and their fan base is bigger than ever.
“They encourage us to have a character as a way to engage with fans and show your personality. This definitely does.”
The Savannah Bananas are in the middle of playing in 40 cities in 2025, including three NFL stadiums and 17 MLB stadiums. In their largest game this season on April 26, in front of 81,000 people at Clemson University’s Memorial Stadium, Reese hit a home run. In fact, he’s hit home runs in all four football stadiums the team played in this year.
Over the July 4th weekend, Reese played in two sold-out games at historic Fenway Park in Boston. He played catch with fans above the Green Monster, signed autographs right next to Pesky’s Pole and made a sliding grab in the outfield to secure a win for the Bananas in the first game.
While Reese never practiced trick plays before he joined the team, he says the best catch he’s ever made in a game is called a tornado catch, where he spins in a 360motion before securing the ball.
Each Bananas player is encouraged to create a unique persona that draws attention to them and gains fan interest. When Reese joined the team, an idea was given to him that immediately stuck. A few people on the Bananas staff thought he looked like Clark Kent, so any time he steps on the field, he dons a cape with his name and number on it.
“That first time I was super nervous to wear it, but now I wear it all the time and it feels so normal,” says Reese. “They encourage us to have a character as a way to engage with fans and show your personality. This definitely does.”
He has blue, gold and red capes, along with a comic book-themed cape. When he goes to the plate, he’s announced as Reese “Superman” Alexiades.
“He’s really come out of his shell in the time we’ve been together,” says Bananas pitcher Andy Archer. “He came in as a great player. The other stuff took him a little longer to figure out, and what really makes him unique. This year he’s hit his stride.”
The two players are roommates on the road and bond over their love of surfing, steak and coffee. “When we go back to our room after the game and are tired and drinking decaf coffee, I can watch that play of me making a good pitch and him making a great play, and it brings a smile to my face,” Andy shares.
While the Bananas have made plenty of his dreams come true, Reese’s original dream was to be a Major League Baseball player. An outfielder at Mira Costa High School who graduated in 2016, Reese committed to play baseball at Pepperdine University. After putting up incredible numbers in his final year of college, including an exceptionally high .389 batting average and first-team West Coast Conference honors, he expected some interest from MLB teams in the draft or as a free agent.
However, that time didn’t come, so he chose to play independent league baseball in Utah for the Ogden Raptors. It was a grind, but he managed to succeed—winning the Pioneer League’s MVP in 2023.
Admitting to challenges with the frequent travel and unhealthy eating, Reese thought about quitting and playing overseas. That’s when the Savannah Bananas came calling. They sent him a direct message on Instagram, and soon after, he tried out in Los Angeles with about 30 other players.
Reese and Bananas head coach Tyler Gillum remember the tryout well. Reese hit six home runs and was able to successfully complete a few of the team’s dance routines. He got an offer to join the Bananas later that night.
“He’s a great player but a better human,” says Coach Gillum. “Our culture is about leadership, creating fun and never-forget moments for everyone on the team and the organization. He’s fit right in with that. Every day he shows up, I know the guy I’m getting.”
When the Savannah Bananas played at Angel Stadium in Anaheim earlier this summer, Reese discovered more than 100 friends and family there to support him. When the team showed up at Disneyland to celebrate, he ran into his first grade teacher.
“It’s been nothing but support,” says Reese. “This is a big shift, trying to make it from MLB. Friends who have known about the Bananas knew I had to do it, and it has proven to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
