The Savannah Bananas are redefining the landscape of baseball with their unique blend of entertainment and sport, creating something that is nothing short of a phenomenon. This independent team, once a Class A affiliate of the New York Mets, has transformed from a traditional baseball team into a captivating spectacle under the ownership of Jesse and Emily Cole, who took the helm in 2015.
The Bananas' story is deeply rooted in innovation and resilience. When Jesse Cole bought the team, it came with a hefty $1 million debt—a formidable challenge that didn't deter his vision. “We look at ourselves as, we're building a sport,” Cole has stated, capturing the essence of their groundbreaking mission.
The Rise of Banana Ball
Central to the Savannah Bananas' appeal is Banana Ball, a version of baseball that breaks away from conventional norms with its own distinct set of rules. This electrifying twist includes automatic strikes for stepping out of the batter's box and ejections for any player attempting to bunt. In a sport traditionally known for its pace, Banana Ball games are refreshingly capped at two hours, a nod to modern attention spans and a testament to the Bananas' commitment to excitement and engagement.
Integral to this format is interactive fan involvement—audiences can challenge calls and even affect the game's outcome by catching foul balls for outs. In a truly unconventional twist, after a batter takes a fourth ball, they dash around bases while the opposing team scrambles to pass the ball to each fielder, adding a dynamic element of strategy and speed. Extra innings, often the climax of heart-stopping baseball action, are replaced by pulsating one-on-one showdowns, again illustrating the Bananas' flair for the dramatic.
Ambitions for the Big Leagues
Buoyed by the enthusiasm for this energetic format, the Bananas are elevating their profile to a national level, with plans to tour 18 Major League Baseball stadiums and three football stadiums in 2025. Their 39-game tour, spanning from March to September, is a testament to their growing popularity. The anticipation is palpable with an astonishing waitlist of 3 million fans eager to witness the spectacle.
Reflecting on the team's evolution, Cole remarked, “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.” Indeed, the parallels between the Bananas and the Globetrotters are striking, as both have managed to transcend their respective sports and captivate diverse audiences through entertainment.
Embracing Former Stars
The rise of the Savannah Bananas has not gone unnoticed by seasoned baseball veterans. As they prepare to take to major league stadiums, former All-Stars, World Series champions, and MVPs have shown a keen interest in being part of this movement. “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,” Cole shared. This interest from established talent signals the Bananas' growing influence in the sport and underscores their potential to further enrich the experience with seasoned expertise.
A Legacy in the Making
The impact of the Savannah Bananas extends beyond their innovative gameplay; they have made history by securing a spot with an exhibit at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum as of 2023. This accolade is a significant milestone, affirming the Bananas’ impact on the cultural fabric of baseball.
Looking ahead, the team aims to expand their format with the launch of a Banana Ball Championship League in 2026, featuring six teams. With goals to entertain 2 million fans next year, Jesse Cole's declaration, “We're building something for future generations to have fun with and really create something truly special,” is already unfolding.
In the spirit of trailblazers, the Savannah Bananas are indeed crafting a legacy. As Cole, quoting Walt Disney, ponders, “It's kind of fun to do the impossible,” it is clear that they are pushing boundaries and reshaping the landscape of modern baseball. The Bananas' journey is not just about changing the game; it's about creating a new game altogether, one that harnesses the wonder of sport and the joy of entertainment.