In the often traditional world of baseball, the Savannah Bananas are redefining the game with a colorful flair that extends beyond the diamond. The independent baseball team is not just playing America's pastime; they're revolutionizing it. Under the ownership of Jesse and Emily Cole since 2015, the Savannah Bananas have blossomed into a phenomenon, transforming the way fans engage with baseball.
A New Kind of Baseball
Banana Ball, as it's fondly called, introduces a series of rule tweaks that inject energy and dynamism into each game. Imagine a scenario where a batter could be automatically given a strike for simply stepping out of the box. Or, a player risking ejection for a bunt attempt. These are just a couple of the unique features that define Banana Ball's deviation from traditional baseball.
What's more, the games are capped at two hours, ensuring a brisk, action-packed experience. Fans aren't just passive spectators; they are given the opportunity to challenge umpire calls and can even record outs by catching foul balls. The team's format brings forth a direct fan engagement that is rarely seen on the grand stage of professional sports.
Adding to the intrigue, after a fourth ball is thrown, the batter isn't given a leisurely walk to first base. Instead, they sprint around the bases as the defensive team scrambles to throw the ball to every fielder. And, rather than going into extra innings, tied games are decided through one-on-one showdowns.
Building a Movement
"We look at ourselves as, we're building a sport," Jesse Cole famously says. And indeed, the Bananas' influence is spreading. Once a Class A affiliate of the New York Mets, the team is now preparing for a grand 39-game tour visiting 18 Major League Baseball stadiums and three football stadiums come 2025. With a staggering waitlist of 3 million hopeful attendees, the tour promises to push the boundaries of baseball entertainment even further.
Jesse Cole, in echoing his dreams of expansion, shares, "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." Such ambition points to the imminent growth of Banana Ball, which will crystallize further with the establishment of a Banana Ball Championship League in 2026, comprising six competitive teams.
From Debt to Stardom
The path to such success, however, began with humble and challenging beginnings. When Jesse Cole bought the team, the Savannah Bananas were mired in a $1 million debt, a financial burden that might have sunk less committed endeavors. But with vision and determination, the team has risen to become a spectacle and a source of inspiration, even earning an exhibit at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum as of 2023.
Jesse Cole likens their journey to that of the Harlem Globetrotters, acknowledging, "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." The comparison is apt, as the Bananas continue to alter the landscape of baseball, drawing the attention of former MLB stars, All-Stars, World Series champions, and MVPs interested in joining this growing phenomenon. "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 enthuses.
Embracing the Impossible
The Bananas’ trajectory is encapsulated in Jesse Cole's embrace of Walt Disney's words: "It's kind of fun to do the impossible." Pushing limits and breaking new ground have become the hallmark of this team. The upcoming tour and the thriving anticipation surrounding it are testaments to their success in blending sports with entertainment, creating a vibrant, interactive spectacle that resonates with fans of all ages.
With future plans to play in front of 2 million fans next year, the Savannah Bananas are poised for even greater feats, as they continue to mold a version of baseball that delights, engages, and thrills. As the Bananas gear up for their extensive tour and upcoming league, their story stands as a testament to innovation, fan participation, and fun in the world of sports.