Even if you’re not a huge sports fan, there are at least a few teams that probably come to mind when you think of baseball: Dodgers, Mets, Yankees—these are household names, to be sure. But the Savannah Bananas? Yep, they play the sportsball too, and they’re everywhere right now.
I first came across their fun name and brightly colored uniforms (yellow, of course) on the home screen of Roku TV. Intrigued, I clicked on the promo and couldn’t believe what was playing out before my eyes. This was not my dad’s baseball. It was … better.
Haven’t been to a Savannah Bananas game yet? Read on to find out why you should start paying attention.
Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more sports, news, humor, travel, tech and fun facts all week long.
What is Savannah Banana baseball?
So technically, this isn’t baseball. The sport is called Banana Ball, and the phenomenon is to baseball as the Harlem Globetrotters are to basketball—entertaining, fun and a true spectacle to behold.
No, these athletes aren’t throwing bananas instead of traditional baseballs. The ball is the same, and there are bases, a catcher, pitcher, batter, outfield and infield. But that’s where the similarities end. The game is faster and more theatrical, with breaks for entertainment (often from the players themselves). Banana Ball is essentially baseball if the sport didn’t take itself so darn seriously.
The Savannah Bananas originated in Savannah, Georgia, but they play games for sold-out stadiums all over the United States, from California to Massachusetts and everywhere in between. And they don’t play against themselves! The Banana Ball league includes other up-and-comers like the Texas Tailgaters and the Party Animals.
Why is it getting so much attention?
The Savannah Bananas sell out every stadium they play in, namely due to their fun, fan-focused approach to the sport, as well as their strict two-hour time limit. No more four-hour, extra-inning slogs at a Major League Baseball game! If the Bananas don’t get nine innings in within two hours, no biggie. If time ends in the middle of an inning, they’ll finish the inning, but that’s it. No additional innings will be played for that game, even if it’s less than nine.
There are also just some really entertaining side games for fans throughout the games. Oh, and if a fan catches a foul ball? It counts as an out. People love it, and because the game duration is known from the outset, it’s especially family-friendly. The ‘Nanners, as they are affectionately known, also have a massive presence on TikTok (10.5 million followers), where they share their on-field antics, dances and even music videos. The whole thing is pure comedy gold.
What are fans saying?
Savannah Bananas fans have a lot to say, and for the most part, they seem all-in on Banana Ball.
- “Fullest I’ve ever seen the Rockies stadium since moving here,” said one fan on TikTok who attended a game in Denver.
- “The Bananas will always be the only reason why I watch baseball,” another person on TikTok admitted.
Others wish they could get tickets to one of the IRL games but love watching them on TV.
- “It’s sports and fun … I just watched an encore game on a TV channel,” says a fan on Reddit. “I had heard about Savannah Bananas and had never seen them, but this was really entertaining. If they were closer, I’d go to their games more often than our regular games in the area. Hopefully I’ll get to see them in person one day.”
What are baseball purists saying?
Baseball purists aren’t sold on the Savannah Bananas. Across social media, many traditionalists think the games are “boring” and “goofy stuff for kids.”
- “I’ll get hate for this, but it’s incredibly boring unless you like to watch dance numbers or have children,” said a Redditor on a Bananas thread.
- “It’s for people who don’t like baseball,” someone else chimed in. “I swear 50% of the fans are just there for the gimmick/kitsch of it.”
Why should you go to a game?
Easy—to decide for yourself! Even if you end up not becoming the Bananas’ biggest fan, with the two-hour game time limit, at least you haven’t sacrificed an entire day to the experience.
However, getting tickets to see the Savannah Bananas is no easy feat. The team tries to sell their tickets directly to fans, so you have to join the “Ticket Interest List” on their website. While the lottery is currently closed for the 2025 season, adding your name to the list now will get you the latest information when future tickets become available.
With that said, you can still find tickets for the rest of the summer and fall on sites like StubHub, Seat Geek, Vivid Seats and TicketNetwork, however these are available from third-party resellers, so you’ll be paying a premium. While tickets sold through the team start at $35, you won’t find prices that cheap on any of the aforementioned third-party sites.
RELATED:
- What Is the Grimace Effect, and What Does It Have to Do with Baseball?
- Here’s Which City Eats the Most Hot Dogs—By a Lot!
- Traveling This Summer? These Popular U.S. Attractions Have the Longest Wait Times
Why trust us
At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- TikTok: “The Savannah Bananas”
- Reddit: “How do we feel about the Savannah Bananas?”
- Reddit: “What is it like to watch the Savannah Bananas live?”
- Banana Ball: “Ticket Interest List”
- Banana Ball: “Banana Ball”
The post The Savannah Bananas Want to Make Baseball Fun Again—And They Really Do! Here’s How appeared first on Reader's Digest.
from Reader's Digest https://ift.tt/y89VHYb
Comments
Post a Comment