The Savannah Bananas are not your typical baseball team, and they are not striving to be. This independent team, once a Class A affiliate of the New York Mets, has morphed into a sports entertainment phenomenon under the stewardship of owners Jesse and Emily Cole since its inception in 2015. With a penchant for innovation, the Bananas have captivated audiences with their unique approach to the game, known as Banana Ball.
A New Era of Baseball
Jesse Cole, the visionary at the helm, explains the philosophy driving the team: "We look at ourselves as, we're building a sport." The Bananas are indeed redefining baseball, and their growing popularity exemplifies this. "We're building something for future generations to have fun with and really create something truly special. That is where this dream gets much bigger," Cole adds.
This dream takes a major leap in 2025 when the Bananas are set to tour 18 Major League Baseball stadiums and three football stadiums. Covering a 39-game span from March to September, the tour will showcase the vibrant and whimsical nature of Banana Ball, further solidifying the Bananas as the "Harlem Globetrotters of baseball," a comparison that Cole accepts as a compliment. "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."
Banana Ball: A Game of Fun and Flair
The magic behind the Bananas lies within the unconventional rules of Banana Ball. The game is designed to maintain a high-octane pace with games capped at two hours. Fans play a pivotal role, as they can challenge calls, and even record outs by catching foul balls, integrating the spectators directly into the gameplay.
To add to the entertainment, the stringent rulebook features penalties such as an automatic strike for stepping out of the batter's box and ejection for bunt attempts. Further separating Banana Ball from traditional baseball, batters take off running to bases after a fourth ball while the defensive team must throw the ball to all fielders. If a match ends with a tie, one-on-one showdowns replace extra innings, heightening the drama and excitement that fans have come to expect.
This innovative approach has not only attracted throngs of fans, evidenced by a waiting list of 3 million hopeful attendees for the tour, but also caught the attention of former stars. "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," remarks Cole, reflecting on the increasing embrace of the Bananas' ethos by the broader baseball community.
The Journey and the Future
The path to fame and acclaim hasn't been without its hurdles. At the outset, the Bananas faced a daunting $1 million debt. However, through resilience and creativity, they have turned their fortunes around. Their impact on the sport has been recognized with an exhibit at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum as of 2023, underscoring their influence and innovation within the baseball world.
Looking to the future, the Bananas are not resting on their laurels. Plans for a Banana Ball Championship League featuring six teams are set for 2026, marking another milestone in their journey. In anticipation, the Savannah Bananas aim to play in front of 2 million fans next year, an ambitious yet attainable aspiration given their burgeoning popularity.
Jesse Cole encapsulates the sentiment driving this experiment in sports entertainment: "It's kind of fun to do the impossible," a nod to Walt Disney's philosophy that seems perfectly suited to this revolutionary team. The Savannah Bananas are not just playing a game—they're building a legacy, one rooted in fun, innovation, and the joy of the impossible becoming possible.