When it comes to rewriting the rules of baseball, the Savannah Bananas are taking an unconventional approach. Once a mere Class A affiliate of the New York Mets, the Bananas, now an independent team, are setting the stage for a revolutionary transformation in the world of sports entertainment. Their ambitious plans for 2025 include a 39-game tour that will span from March to September, gracing 18 Major League Baseball stadiums and three football stadiums across the nation. The demand is overwhelming, as evidenced by a waitlist boasting 3 million hopeful attendees.
A New Breed of Baseball
The brains behind this baseball revolution are Jesse and Emily Cole, who envisioned a unique, fan-centric approach to baseball when they took ownership of the team in 2015. Jesse Cole recalls an uphill journey, initially burdened by a $1 million debt when he acquired the team. Yet, his vision was clear: "We look at ourselves as, we're building a sport," he explains, underscoring the deep-rooted mission to craft a new kind of pastime for future generations.
Banana Ball, as it's called, is a bold reinvention of America's beloved game. The format embraces a two-hour time limit and quirky rules that diverge sharply from traditional baseball. Players receive an automatic strike for stepping out of the batter's box, and attempts to bunt result in ejections. Fans also play an interactive role, challenging calls and even recording outs by catching foul balls. After a fourth ball, the batter is free to dash around the bases while the opposing team must pass the ball to every fielder, culminating in a dynamic scramble that electrifies the crowd.
The Growing Legacy
Banana Ball has not only rewritten the rule book but also captured the public imagination, earning an exhibit at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum by 2023. The precision and entertainment factor have naturally drawn comparisons to basketball’s Harlem Globetrotters, a link Jesse Cole accepts with pride. "At first people were like, 'Well, you're just the Harlem Globetrotters of baseball.' I do take that as a compliment because the Globetrotters fundamentally changed the game of basketball," Cole says.
As the Bananas prepare for their upcoming tours, they have attracted interest from notable figures in the sport. "Now as we go out to these major league stadiums, we're getting reached out to by a lot more former stars—All-Stars, World Series champions, MVPs—that want to be a part of it," says Cole. The news comes as the team anticipates playing in front of 2 million fans next year, underscoring the Bananas' escalating popularity and influence.
Looking Ahead
The team is already setting sights on future endeavors with the announcement of a Banana Ball Championship League in 2026, which will feature six teams. Through this innovative competition, Jesse Cole and his team continue to shape a new tradition that balances skill, entertainment, and audience engagement.
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible," Cole remarks, quoting Walt Disney, as he reflects on the transformational journey of the Savannah Bananas. While traditionalists might find the shift unsettling, there’s no denying the Bananas' role in redefining what it means to enjoy a game of baseball—one where fun reigns supreme, and participation extends beyond the field and into the stands.
As the Bananas move forward, they embody not just an extraordinary sporting event but a cultural phenomenon, reshaping how fans interact with America's favorite pastime. With each game, the Savannah Bananas are not just rewriting baseball’s playbook but also paving the path to a future where the sport's core values meet modern-day entertainment.