CINCINNATI (WKRC) — The Savannah Bananas brought their unique brand of baseball to Great American Ball Park, captivating thousands of fans with their entertaining spectacle known as Banana Ball.
The event, featuring dancing umpires, singing princesses, and surprise guests, drew fans from around the world.
Jaclynn Bishop, who traveled nine hours from Canada to see the Bananas and her favorite player, Jackson Olson, expressed her excitement.
“I saw them on TikTok or Instagram, and just that level of fun, and they all seem like really good guys, and put that together with their fans-first attitude, it really just brought out that fun part of baseball that I feel like baseball is missing,” said Bishop.
The Bananas, along with the Bananas Band, entertained fans with a parade as they made their way to the field.
Jazmen Bramos of Hillsboro shared her enthusiasm for the event.
“They’re on TikTok, and our boys are so into it. It’s something we can do together. They’re very, very excited,” said Bramos.
During the game, fans were treated to choreographed dance routines, TikToks, and surprise appearances by former Reds players Bronson Arroyo, Todd Frazier, and Sean Casey.
Jared Orton, president of the Bananas, reflected on the team’s journey so far.
“10 years ago, we were just trying to sell a few tickets and hope people would come out and see a game. To think that 80,000 people have descended upon this region for two nights, you have to pinch yourself sometimes,” said Orton.
The Bananas are set to play for another sold-out crowd on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Friday’s game ended with the Bananas winning 5-2 against the Texas Tailgaters.
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To Play For The Savannah Bananas, You Need Game — And Groove
The Savannah Bananas are a lot of things: a traveling circus; a close-knit group of players, performers, team members (not “employees”); a family affair; and the best night you will have at the ballpark all year (non-October division). What they are most decidedly not: a way-station for ballplayers trying to find their way back to organized baseball.
“Bananaland: The Road To Cooperstown.” Not to mention that they maintain an active presence on TikTok. But while watching at home is interesting, the Savannah Bananas need to be seen in person to be truly experienced.
If you are unfamiliar with the team and their story, my colleague here at Forbes.com, Candace Oehler wrote a great piece about the team and their owners, Jesse and Emily Cole.
But when this writer visited the team in Arizona, I wanted to learn a little bit about the stars of the show: the players. Research showed that a great many hail from the minors or independent baseball. The team actually started in 2016 in the Coastal Plains League, which is a summer collegiate league, so the first batch of players came from that cohort. But what about today?
As a quick review, the Bananas are made up of roughly 25 players. And they play against the Party Animals, the Firefighters, the Visitors, and the Texas Tailgaters. While at first blush it would seem that each opponent is the baseball equivalent of the Washington Generals (with the Bananas serving as the Harlem Globetrotters), that could not be further from the truth. As Jesse Cole told me, there are two ways in which Banana Ball is different than the nearly 100-year old basketball traveling roadshow: (1) The Bananas put on a different show every night (at least 15 different routines each game); and (2) There is real competition on the field. The outcome of each Bananas game is not pre-ordained; the players on both sides are out there to perform, and to win.
Because of that, I wondered if the players were putting their best foot forward every time with the hope of catching (back) on with a team in organized baseball. But in interviews with more than a dozen players across multiple teams, only one even considered the possibility. One pitcher (who shall remain nameless to protect his anonymity), cut by two different professional organizations, said he would at least answer the phone if a professional club were to call; but he doubted he would take the offer if one came. He was having too much with this group.
Jesse, and his wife, Emily, run the Bananas as a team, as a business, and as a family. And, to that end, they work overtime to make sure everyone is taken care – financially as well as emotionally. Unlike professional baseball (including the major leagues), the Bananas work on year-round contracts. That means everyone in the organization – most specifically, the players – are guaranteed income for twelve months, not just six or seven as is the case in other professional ranks.
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