Fort Dorchester graduate Jalen Vasquez will once again play the sport he loves.
Vasquez was an all-state player for Fort Dorchester before joining the college ranks. He played for the University of South Carolina and North Greenville College and was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 20th round of the 2023 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
After being released, he returned to his high school and helped coach the Patriots’ baseball program. However, opportunity came knocking again as he was drafted by the Indianapolis Clowns during the 2025 BananaBall Player Draft. The slugger is preparing to join the exhibition-league team for the 2026 BananaBall World Tour created by the minds behind the Savannah Bananas craze.
Jalen Vasquez was drafted by the Indianapolis Clowns during the 2025 BananaBall Player Draft.
“They just added two new teams and the Indianapolis Clowns picked me up in the third round,” Vasquez said. “I’m very blessed to be a part of something so great and it’s an opportunity for me. I hope to bring a smile to faces and make it an unforgettable experience for the families that attend.”
The BananaBall Championship League isn’t so much about winning as it is about fun. It’s kind of baseball if the Harlem Globetrotters wanted to cross-train. The league encourages antics and has unique rules such as no walks and foul balls caught by fans counting as outs.
The games aren’t scripted or fixed, but much of the entertainment aspects are rehearsed.
“I’m going to learn how to do a back flip, a bunch of dances, and work on some grand entrances, things like that,” Vasquez said. “They are big on ideas so I’m going to have to use all my connections to help me be successful and bring some ideas. My main goal is the bring joy to the fans, but it should be fun and allow me to stay in the game as long as I can. I love it too much to just let it go.”