Savannah Bananas
Exhibition baseball team known for Banana Ball and viral entertainment.
The Savannah Bananas, based in Savannah, Georgia, are an exhibition barnstorming baseball team that plays a fast-paced, fan-focused variation of the sport called Banana Ball. Between and during innings, players perform dance routines, comedic sketches, and other acts. The team was founded in 2016 and originally played at Grayson Stadium as a collegiate summer team in the Coastal Plain League’s South division. There, they won three Petitt Cup championships (2016, 2021, and 2022). In 2018, they began playing exhibition games outside the league using the Banana Ball format, and by 2023, they had moved entirely to exhibition games against partner touring teams.
The team’s creation followed the departure of the Savannah Sand Gnats in September 2015. The Coastal Plain League announced Savannah as a new team for 2016, and on February 25, a name-the-team contest revealed the Bananas name, logo, and colors. In their inaugural season, the Bananas finished as the top seed in the CPL South Division. They beat the Asheboro Copperheads 3–2 in game one of the playoffs on a walk-off, then defeated the Forest City Owls 2–0 to win the division title. In the Petitt Cup Championship, they defeated the Forest City Owls 8–4 in a single-game final. The league named them organization of the year in 2017 and 2018.
The alternative Banana Ball rule set was created in 2018, with the first intra-squad exhibition using it. The first official Banana Ball game under these rules occurred on June 26, 2021, though away games still followed standard CPL rules. This split confused fans, as the team effectively played two different styles. In 2021, the Party Animals debuted as the Bananas’ regular opponent in Banana Ball games, similar to the Harlem Globetrotters and Washington Generals, though the games are unscripted and competitive. After the 2022 summer league season, the Bananas folded their collegiate amateur team and committed solely to Banana Ball, both at home and on the road. In August 2023, ESPN+ released a miniseries about the team called *Bananaland*. As of 2024, Banana Ball includes six teams of players, most of whom are former minor league or college players, with occasional appearances by former Major League Baseball athletes. The team has been featured by ESPN, *The Wall Street Journal*, CNN 10, *Sports Illustrated*, and *60 Minutes*.
Quick Facts
- League
- Banana Ball Championship League
- Location
- Savannah, Georgia
- Stadium
- Grayson Stadium
- Founded
- 2016
- Nickname
- Bananas
- League Champs
- Coastal Plain League: 3 (2016, 2021, 2022)
- Former Leagues
- Coastal Plain League (2016–2022)
- Mascot
- Split
- Owner
- Fans First Entertainment (Jesse & Emily Cole)
- Coach
- Adam Virant, Reginald Horton
- Manager
- Tyler Gillum
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Savannah Bananas were established in 2016 after the Savannah Sand Gnats left the South Atlantic League. The team name, logo, and colors were revealed on February 25 following a name-the-team contest. In their inaugural season, the Bananas won the Petitt Cup championship, defeating the Forest City Owls in a single-game final. They were named the league's organization of the year in 2017 and 2018.
In 2018, the team created the alternative 'Banana Ball' rule set and played its first intra-squad exhibition game using the format. The first official Banana Ball game occurred on June 26, 2021. The Party Animals debuted as the opponent in 2021, similar to the Harlem Globetrotters and Washington Generals, though the games are unscripted and competitive.
Reader's Guide
The Savannah Bananas represent a significant shift in baseball entertainment, blending sport with theatrical performance. Their Banana Ball format—featuring dance routines, comedic sketches, and fan participation—has attracted massive audiences and media attention, surpassing even Major League Baseball's official TikTok following. By barnstorming across the United States and playing in major venues, they have revived the tradition of exhibition baseball while creating a distinct brand. Their transition from a collegiate summer league team to a full-time touring act in 2023 demonstrates a successful business model that prioritizes accessibility and spectacle. The team's use of unscripted, competitive games distinguishes them from scripted entertainment acts. Their expansion into television deals with ESPN, TNT Sports, and other networks, including the first over-the-air broadcast on The CW, has broadened their reach. The Bananas' ability to sell out stadiums and draw over 3.2 million fans in 2026 underscores their cultural impact as a modern sports entertainment phenomenon.
Did You Know?
- The Savannah Bananas were founded in 2016 after the Savannah Sand Gnats left for Columbia, South Carolina.
- They won three Petitt Cup championships as a collegiate summer team (2016, 2021, 2022).
- In 2021, the team signed Dakota Albritton, known as 'Stilts,' who plays on 10-foot-9-inch stilts.
- The Bananas have over twelve million followers on TikTok, more than MLB's official account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Savannah Bananas?
The Savannah Bananas are a baseball team out of Savannah, Georgia, that mixes competitive play with dance routines, comedic sketches, and other fan-facing entertainment. They started as a Coastal Plain League collegiate summer team in 2016 and later became a full-time exhibition barnstorming outfit.
What is Banana Ball?
Banana Ball is the fast-paced, entertainment-heavy format the Bananas use for their games, featuring extra fan interaction between and during innings. It became the team's calling card and is the reason their clips regularly go viral on social media.
Where do the Savannah Bananas play at home?
Their home ballpark is Grayson Stadium in Savannah, Georgia. That's the venue where they competed in the Coastal Plain League's South division from 2016 through 2022.
How many Petitt Cup championships have the Savannah Bananas won?
They won three Petitt Cup titles during their CPL years: 2016, 2021, and 2022. Those three championships came across their six-season competitive run in the league.
When did the Savannah Bananas transition to barnstorming?
They began playing exhibition games outside the CPL as early as 2018, and by 2023 they had fully shifted into a dedicated barnstorming team. Their competitive CPL tenure ended after the 2022 season.
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