The Savannah Bananas, an innovative independent baseball team known for their entertaining brand of “Banana Ball,” will tour 18 Major League Baseball stadiums and three football stadiums in 2025. Owner Jesse Cole announced this exciting expansion on Thursday, predicting sellout crowds at venues including Chicago’s Guaranteed Rate Field.
Cole shared that the Bananas attracted over one million fans this past year and expect to reach two million next year, with a waitlist of three million. The team’s 39-game tour, running from March to September, will feature matches against the Party Animals, the Firefighters, and a new team called the Texas Tailgaters. The Bananas are set to play in Chicago on August 15 and 16.
The football stadiums on the tour include Clemson’s Memorial Stadium, Nissan Stadium, home of the Tennessee Titans, and Bank of America Stadium, home of the Carolina Panthers. The Bananas will also visit the home stadiums of several prominent MLB teams such as the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Philadelphia Phillies, among others.
The tour schedule was unveiled during the organization’s annual “world tour city draft” streamed on YouTube, where fans could enter a ticket lottery through the team’s website. The idea of Banana Ball, which aims to quicken game pace and enhance fan engagement, has grown significantly since its inception over five years ago and is now played year-round by the Bananas and their associated teams.
Banana Ball includes 11 unique rules: a batter stepping out of the box results in a strike, and bunting leads to ejection. Each inning is treated as a separate event, with a two-hour limit on games. Fans can challenge calls and catch foul balls for outs. Additionally, batters advance around the bases on a fourth ball and can “steal first” after a passed ball. In place of extra innings, a one-on-one showdown is staged.
Recently, an 11th rule called the “golden batter” was introduced, allowing each team to bring any hitter from their lineup for one at-bat. Cole’s vision for Banana Ball has attracted interest from former MLB stars, enhancing the appeal of the games.
In September 2023, Cole’s original idea book for Banana Ball was showcased at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Also announced was the formation of the Banana Ball Championship League, set to launch in 2026 with six teams, expanding the concept internationally.
Cole reflected on the team’s journey, recalling how he and his wife, Emily, acquired a former Class A affiliate of the New York Mets in 2015 and turned it into a fascinating new experience that resonates with fans. Their mascot and unique entertainment style have made the Bananas a popular attraction, leading them to regularly sell out Grayson Stadium.
“It’s something I could’ve never imagined,” Cole said, expressing gratitude for Walt Disney’s influence on his vision. “In many ways, we are doing the impossible.”