The Savannah Bananas, the innovative independent baseball team that has gained nationwide popularity, will bring their distinctive style of “Banana Ball” to 18 Major League Baseball stadiums and three football stadiums in 2025. This was officially announced on Thursday.
Team owner Jesse Cole expressed confidence in sellouts at each venue, including Chicago’s Guaranteed Rate Field. “We played in front of 1 million fans this past year,” he said. “We’re aiming for 2 million next year. It may sound boastful, but our waitlist is at 3 million right now.”
The Bananas will perform alongside the Party Animals, the Firefighters, and the new Texas Tailgaters on a 39-game tour scheduled from March to September, with specific dates in Chicago on August 15 and 16.
Memorial Stadium (Clemson), Nissan Stadium (Tennessee Titans), and Bank of America Stadium (Carolina Panthers) will also host games during the tour.
The Bananas are set to play in the home stadiums of notable MLB teams like the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, and several others throughout the season.
The announcement was part of the organization’s annual “world tour city draft” broadcast on YouTube, allowing fans to enter a ticket lottery through the team’s website.
This year, Banana Ball was featured at six MLB stadiums, including Miami and Philadelphia, drawing large crowds. Several former major leaguers participated, such as Ryan Howard and Roger Clemens.
“As we venture into major league stadiums, we’re getting contacted by many former stars — All-Stars, World Series champions, MVPs — who want to join us,” Cole noted.
Banana Ball originated over five years ago with the aim of speeding up games and enhancing fan engagement. It incorporates 11 rules, including a strike for stepping out of the batter’s box and ejection for failed bunts. Games are confined to two hours, and fans can challenge calls.
An intriguing twist is that instead of a traditional walk, batters sprint around the bases on a fourth ball, and in extra innings, an individual showdown is held with the goal of securing an inside-the-park home run.
Cole’s concept has garnered greater attention, leading to the establishment of the Banana Ball Championship League, set to launch in 2026 with six teams. He envisions expanding Banana Ball globally, stating, “We are building something for future generations to enjoy.”
After purchasing a former Class A affiliate of the New York Mets in 2015, Cole and his wife faced substantial financial struggles. They committed to evolving the team’s culture into a unique, family-friendly experience, which ultimately led to consistent sellouts at their stadium.
Reflecting on their journey, Cole expressed amazement at their growth and quoted Walt Disney: “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.”