The Savannah Bananas have revolutionized the traditional game of baseball, transforming it into a high-energy, fan-centric spectacle known as “Banana Ball.” Based in Savannah, Georgia, this exhibition barnstorming team has garnered international attention for its unique blend of competitive play and theatrical entertainment, drawing comparisons to the Harlem Globetrotters while maintaining unscripted, competitive games.
Founded in 2016, the Bananas initially competed as a collegiate summer baseball team in the Coastal Plain League (CPL), making their home at Grayson Stadium. During their tenure in the CPL until 2022, they achieved remarkable success, clinching three Petitt Cup championships in 2016, 2021, and 2022. However, their innovative “Banana Ball” format, first introduced in intra-squad exhibition games in 2018, began to overshadow their traditional league play. Recognizing the immense popularity of this new format, the team made a pivotal decision in 2023 to transition entirely to exhibition games, playing against their dedicated touring opponents, the Party Animals, the Firefighters, and the Texas Tailgaters. This strategic shift allowed them to fully embrace their identity as a sports entertainment phenomenon.
“Banana Ball” is characterized by its emphasis on showmanship, fan participation, and accelerated gameplay. Players are known for their choreographed dance routines, comedic sketches, and other engaging performances that often occur between, and even during, innings. The team’s roster comprises many former minor league and collegiate baseball players, occasionally featuring former MLB athletes as special guest players. Among their most recognized figures is Dakota “Stilts” Albritton, known as the “World’s Tallest Baseball Player,” who plays, bats, and pitches on 10-foot 9-inch stilts. In a significant step for inclusivity, Jocelyn Alo, a former collegiate softball star, became the first woman to play for the Bananas in 2023, signing a one-month contract in 2024. The Bananas’ viral content and unique approach have earned them features on major platforms like ESPN, The Wall Street Journal, CNN 10, and Sports Illustrated, contributing to their impressive social media presence, including over six million followers on TikTok as of 2023, surpassing any MLB team.
The team’s “Banana Ball World Tour” has seen exponential growth since its inception. The inaugural “One City World Tour” in 2021 saw them sell out both nights in Mobile, Alabama. By 2022, the tour expanded to 14 sold-out games across six cities. The 2023 tour marked their full commitment to exhibition play, encompassing over 80 games from Florida to Cooperstown, New York, and even featuring their first international opponent, the Aussie Drop Bears. The 2024 tour further broadened their reach, including games at five MLB ballparks—Nationals Park, Minute Maid Park, Fenway Park, Citizens Bank Park, and Progressive Field—and culminating in a “Bananaland at Sea” cruise. The 2025 tour is set to be their most ambitious yet, with games planned for 40 cities, including 17 MLB stadiums and three NFL stadiums. Notably, they played to a sold-out crowd of 65,000 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, and achieved their largest attendance to date on April 26, 2025, with 81,000 spectators at Clemson University’s Memorial Stadium, a football venue.
The Bananas’ commitment to fan engagement is reflected in their remarkable attendance figures. In their inaugural 2016 season, they ranked second in average attendance among 160 summer collegiate teams, averaging 3,659 fans per game and achieving 17 sellouts, breaking the Coastal Plain League’s single-season attendance record. The 2023 Banana Ball World Tour alone attracted over 500,000 total fans.
Their growing popularity has also translated into significant television coverage. Banana Ball made its national television debut in 2022 through an agreement with ESPN, which expanded in 2023. The 2024 season saw a substantial increase in broadcasts, with games airing on Stadium, Bally Live, ESPN, ESPN2 (including as part of ESPN8 The Ocho), and TruTV. Looking ahead to 2025, the Bananas have secured a 10-game agreement with ESPN, with all games simulcast on Disney+ and ESPN+, and airing on ESPN or ESPN2. Additionally, two more games will be exclusive to ESPN+ and Disney+, while others continue on Stadium and FanDuel Sports Live. A landmark moment for the team will be their first over-the-air broadcast on The CW in July 2025. Fans can catch an upcoming televised game against the Firefighters at Fenway Park on July 5, 2025, on ESPN.
The Savannah Bananas have undeniably carved out a unique niche in the sports world, proving that baseball can be both competitive and wildly entertaining. Their “Fans First” approach, innovative rules, and commitment to showmanship have not only captivated millions but also redefined what a baseball experience can be.
