Sometimes described as the greatest show in sports, the Savannah Bananas have one goal – to make baseball fun. And boy, do they succeed… The Savannah Bananas are a barnstorming exhibition baseball team from Savannah, Georgia.
Founded in 2016, the Bananas originally competed as a summer collegiate team in the Coastal Plain League’s (CPL) West Division. After the adoption of their Banana Ball format, the team transitioned to exhibition games.
They are baseball’s version of the Harlem Globetrotters, and more.
The team has been featured in Sports Illustrated and the Wall Street Journal. ESPN created a miniseries about the team called Bananaland, released last year.
The Bananas’ fame has grown primarily because of their on- field antics and viral videos. In an unheard-of feat, they have sold out every home game since 2016. Unbelievably popular, the team has six million followers on TikTok, more than any Major League Baseball team.
Following last year’s summer league season, the Bananas announced that they would end their collegiate amateur games and begin playing Banana Ball exclusively.
Banana Ball is faster and more exciting than traditional baseball. Understanding that they are in the entertainment business, Banana games feature dancing players, trick catches, hidden ball tricks, and more. Players will sometimes make a mad dash for snow cones between innings, and they offer “live at bat” food reviews in the batter’s box after running to the concession stand.
You might see a pitcher on stilts, or a centerfielder playing off a trampoline. Behind the back catches are common, along with flaming bats, choreographed wind-up pitches, trick plays, backflip catches, and rock, paper, scissors challenge calls with opposing players. A fan favorite is the fireball pitch, making it hard for the catcher to hold onto the ball if not hit. The Banana Nanas are an often-featured senior citizen dance team that performs at the games, along with the Mananas, their enthusiastic male cheerleaders. The team mascot wears a giant banana suit, and they call him Split.
Sometimes seen is the Banana Baby (infant paraded through the crowd in a small yellow onesie).
A fun feature is the dizzy bat run, where a batter spins around several times before advancing to first base. The umpires get involved too, doing back flips, and breakdancing with the best of the players. You might see the Taylor Swift Run Celebration, where players sing like Swifties as the runner crosses home plate.
Players sometimes wear kilts and funny hats. During the seventh inning stretch everyone sings Yellow by Coldplay. Throughout the game they celebrate everything, and the fans are part of the action. All of these on-field escapades are designed to break down the wall between the players and fans.
This genius Banana Ball con- cept does come with specific rules. All games are limited to two hours. Whenever a fan catches a foul ball, it is an automatic out. Batters can attempt to steal first base at any time. And there are more rules, along with other non-standard activities that are sometimes used for fun. All of these shenanigans make for a terrifically entertaining time at the ballpark, enjoyed by young and old alike.
One special perk that Banana Fans enjoy is the all-inclusive ticket. $20 buys admittance to the game and all you can eat food and drinks.
The Bananas typically play against their partner touring team, the Party Animals. They also play other challenging professional teams when the opportunity arises.
The Bananas announced their first world tour two years ago.
This year, their world tour was expanded to over 80 games.
They may soon be coming to a city near you.
If you never make it over to historic Grayson Stadium in Savannah, Georgia (the Bananas home field), and miss them on the road, you can catch their antics on You-Tube, or by visiting their website (thesavannahbananas.com).
The Savannah Bananas - Baseball Circus Fun…only in America. Go Bananas!
typewriterweekly.com © 2023 Jody Dyer
