Savannah Bananas Revolutionize Baseball with Banana Ball Craze

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The Savannah Bananas, a college summer league baseball team, are transforming America’s national pastime with an unconventional twist known as ‘Banana Ball’. This season, their unique brand of entertainment has attracted sold-out crowds across the U.S., captivating baseball fans and non-fans alike.

Under the ownership of Jesse Cole, who dresses in a signature yellow tuxedo inspired by showmen P.T. Barnum and Walt Disney, the Bananas emphasize fun, camaraderie, and active fan engagement. Cole’s vision of revamping baseball began when he experienced boredom while coaching, leading him to shake up the sport with lively dance routines and unexpected on-field antics.

‘If I’m bored, there’s got to be other people that are probably bored with baseball as well,’ Cole said. His strategy paid off when he turned the struggling Gastonia Grizzlies into one of the most attended teams, showcasing his innovative approach to sports entertainment.

In 2015, Cole and his wife, Emily, launched the Savannah Bananas, introducing a colorful mix of entertainment that complements the game itself. Fans are treated to gymnastic performances from ‘Banana Splitz’, a dance squad of grandmothers called ‘Banana Nanas’, and a group of male cheerleaders known as ‘Man-Nanas’. ‘There’s almost 50 things that happen before the game starts,’ Cole said.

Banana Ball is a reimagined form of baseball, featuring rules that create a fast-paced, high-energy experience. Games are played under a strict two-hour time limit, with notable rule changes including the prohibiting of mound visits, walks, and bunts. Instead, a fan catching a foul ball results in an out, and batters participate in staged, choreographed walks to the plate.

‘Think about this: in a baseball game, there’s a play called a walk. It’s unathletic. So we made it a sprint,’ Cole explained, describing the revised ‘Ball 4 sprint’ rule, which transforms a typically mundane aspect of the game into an exhilarating experience.

Not all traditionalists are on board with the changes. Longtime sports writer Tim Kurkjian described the experience as ‘the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen… I loved it.’ Cole acknowledges the mixed responses but believes that shaking up the game is essential for the future of baseball.

The Bananas have gained substantial popularity, becoming a multimillion-dollar franchise with an expanding fanbase. Their innovative approach resulted in a strong presence on social media, boasting more TikTok followers than all 12 MLB playoff teams combined last year.

As the Bananas prepare for their upcoming season, they have already sold out games at iconic stadiums, including Fenway Park and several NFL venues. ‘We’ll fill those stadiums,’ Cole said confidently. ‘It’s crazy.’

With the league now expanding to include additional teams and venues, Jesse Cole’s dream of reimagining baseball has not only gained traction; it seems poised to revolutionize the sport entirely, proving that when it comes to America’s pastime, sometimes you just have to go a little ‘bananas.’