Savannah Bananas Pitch Wild Idea: Skydiving for First Pitch

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The Savannah Bananas, known for their over-the-top entertainment approach to baseball, have proposed a rather extreme idea for a first pitch: a player skydiving from a plane directly onto the field. Kara Heater, the team’s Vice President of Marketing, shared this audacious idea during an OTT (over the top) meeting. “There’s a lot of legalities with that one,” she laughed, adding, “but we want it bad, and we will do it one day, I promise.” This concept has been circulating since 2020, showcasing the team’s unique branding and commitment to fan engagement.

Since 2022, the Bananas have played baseball year-round, building a sizable social media presence with over 9.3 million TikTok followers and 2.8 million on Instagram—more than any Major League Baseball team. Their spirited and often whimsical antics resonate with fans, as do their competitions with their rival team, The Party Animals, who also boast significant following on social media with 780,000 Instagram followers and 2.5 million on TikTok.

Heater emphasized the team’s mission statement: “fans first, entertain always.” The Bananas prioritize delivering an outstanding experience, blurring the line between a baseball game and a performance. The weekend’s sold-out event at Truist Park only reaffirmed this philosophy, with audiences captured by vibrant traditions such as synchronized dancing and lip-syncing.

Every Tuesday, the Bananas hold their OTT meeting where staff and player representatives brainstorm ideas for the upcoming games. The session resembles a “Saturday Night Live” style production, with the team narrowing down themes and segment ideas before a table read later that day. Rehearsals follow from Wednesday to Friday, culminating in performances that embrace both structured routines and spontaneous improvisation.

Bananas infielder and social media sensation Jackson Olson, who has 1.8 million TikTok followers, highlighted how improvisational elements garner the most viewership. “The improv moments usually get the most views because no one expects it to happen,” Olson noted, illustrating the appeal of unscripted excitement during performances.

The Bananas’ social media strategy was kickstarted back in 2016 when they went viral on Facebook with a viral rendition of Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling.” Since then, they’ve recognized the importance of connecting with fans through engaging content rather than aggressive marketing tactics. Heater reflected on a lesson learned in 2019: “Fans don’t want to feel sold. They want to feel valued.” This mindset has driven the team to create fun, shareable content without calls to action.

Engaging with fans has extended to responding to direct messages and implementing fan suggestions into their game presentations. The willingness to listen to fans further cultivates a sense of community integral to the Bananas’ success.

With a roster filled with players who are eager to perform and generate buzz beyond the field, Savannah Bananas have incorporated fan engagement into their core operations. Team owner Jesse Cole remarked, “It’s our players, our focus on how they can create fans every day. The name of our company is Fans First.” This philosophy positions the Bananas for a promising future as they continue to expand their reach in the sport.