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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Savannah Bananas: A family night at baseball heaven in St. Louis
For me, there's no place on earth quite like Busch Stadium. It's sacred ground. A cathedral of baseball. The place where generations of memories have been made. I've seen alot here since I was born in 1982. But on Friday, the game we know and love transformed into something else entirely, not a traditional nine-inning showdown, but a whirlwind of Banana Ball madness, joy, and showmanship, courtesy of the Savannah Bananas. I went with my wife and our 14-year-old son, and while I've seen some unforgettable games at Busch, this was something unique, and yes, still unforgettable. Pre-Game: The greatest show in sports begins before first pitch The moment we approached Ballpark Village, the energy hit like a wave. Never mind the fact it was approaching 100 degrees, with humidity rising by the minute. Crowds had been gathering since early afternoon. Some were dressed in full banana regalia, earrings, hats, stuffed banana headbands, and yellow from head to toe. We arrived about three hours before first pitch, and it already felt like a festival. Fans were tossing around beach balls, forming impromptu conga lines, and dancing to the beat of a live brass band. We had dinner at Salt n Smoke at Ball Park Village across the way. That was a request from the teen-ager, and when he wants anything other than chicken fingers and burgers, you do it! We wandered over to the merchandise tents, which were doing a roaring business. Even Party Animals merch was flying off the racks. The pre-game antics were just the beginning: the "Man-nanas" cheer squad, Dad Bod cheerleaders, and even a guy resembling Mr. T were working the crowd. As the sun began to drop behind the stadium lights, a brass rendition of 'I Wish I Was an Oscar Mayer Wiener' played from a barbershop quartet perched near the first baseline. I had to remind myself we were still technically at a baseball game, but the Bananas don't just play a sport, they stage a carnival. The game itself: A new kind of baseball Banana Ball isn't really baseball. It's a cousin, or maybe the fun-loving alter ego, of the game I grew up watching. The rules are wild: bunting gets you ejected. Fans catching foul balls? That's an out. Tie games get settled in one-on-one, showdown-style duels. And somehow, it all works. The Bananas were matched up against their chaos-loving rivals, the Party Animals, and from the first pitch, the game was pure theater. Music blared between pitches. Dancers burst out of dugouts. Pitchers performed backflips after strikeouts. But through all the antics, there was genuine talent on the field. Outfielder Reese Alexiades smashed a moonshot into the left-field bleachers. Shortstop Ryan Cox pulled off a no-look, behind-the-back assist on a grounder that had the crowd gasping. And then came Adam Wainwright. A hero returns to the mound Waino. The legend. The heart of the Cardinals for so many years. When his name was announced as the starting pitcher for the Bananas, Busch erupted. I felt chills. Here I was, standing with my wife and son, watching one of my all-time favorite players, a St. Louis icon, take the mound in a Savannah Bananas jersey. Of course, his walk-out song? God's Country. He pitched with his usual poise, even while a cheerleader did jumping jacks behind home plate. He allowed a base hit, but got the next guy to fly out to center, mixing that signature curveball with just a hint of showmanship. He smiled at the crowd, tipped his cap, and soaked it in. Wainwright dancing between pitches? Yes. And it was glorious. At one point, he even joined a conga line in the dugout between innings. Who knew the man could move like that? In-game antics & fan interaction Banana Ball thrives on interactivity. Fans in the stands caught foul balls for outs. The in-game entertainment never slowed. There was a baby race on the field. Yes, a literal baby race. Crawling babies are making their way to their parents on the other side of the diamond. It was both hilarious and oddly touching. There was also a hilarious sprint showdown between 'Clyde and Dale', two grown men who stopped midway to carry women piggyback across the infield to the finish line. Get it, "Clyde and Dale" for the Clydesdales. Every inning brought something new: synchronized dugout dances, juggling, karaoke battles, and mid-inning backflips. The crowd and the culture shift This wasn't just a show for kids. It was packed with baseball die-hards, families, first-timers, and old-school fans like me who, surprisingly, found themselves clapping along to 'Baby Shark.' The Bananas are changing baseball, one backflip and fan-caught out at a time. Jesse Cole - a man of the people No review of a Savannah Bananas game would be complete without a tribute to the man behind the madness: Jeese Cole, the team's exuberant founder, owner, and master showman. If Banana Ball is a circus, Jesse is both the ringmaster and the heart beating behind the scenes. On Friday night at Busch Stadium, he was more than a behind-the-scenes executive; he was the engine driving the experience forward, every second from pregame to final curtain. Decked out in his signature bright yellow tuxedo and top hat, Jesse Cole didn't merely observe the spectacle he created; he was in the thick of it. He worked the crowd like a seasoned performer, leaping onto dugouts, dancing with fans, tossing t-shirts, and narrating the energy of the night through a megaphone with all the charisma of a Broadway emcee. At one point before first pitch, Jesse climbed onto the first base dugout, leading the crowd in chants, pumping his fists, and launching shirts into the upper decks. You could tell he wasn't just doing it for show, he thrives on connection, and he understands that sports, at their best, are about joy and community. You could feel it every time he leaned into the microphone or locked eyes with a fan in the front row. What stood out most was how accessible he made himself. He wasn't hidden behind a glass box or suite. He was walking the concourse, laughing with fans, taking selfies, giving fist bumps to wide-eyed kids and grateful parents alike. During one inning break, I watched him lead a conga line of fans, kids, grandparents, even a guy in a banana suit, from right field to home plate, arms linked, music blasting, smiles all around. When a particularly well-executed trick play brought the crowd to its feet, Jesse didn't stay still. He sprinted toward the players, joining the celebration like a teammate, high-fiving them like a proud parent. That blend of executive energy and childlike joy is part of what makes the Bananas feel so alive. And maybe that's Jesse Cole's magic: he doesn't feel like an owner. He feels like the world's biggest fan who just happened to get the keys to the clubhouse and decided to throw a never-ending party for everyone else. In an era when pro sports often feel cold and corporate, Jeese Cole is a throwback to the showmen of old and a vision of something brand new. What he's built isn't just a team or even a league; it's a movement. And at Busch Stadium, in front of 44,000 fans and the ghosts of baseball legends, that movement was in full, glorious, ridiculous swing. They're back tonight – Saturday's encore The Bananas return to Busch Stadium again Saturday night (also a sellout). After Friday's chaos, I can only imagine what's in store. If you're reading this and wondering if it's worth going, it is. Final thoughts: A night to remember In a city where baseball is religion, the Savannah Bananas delivered something new, not a sacrilege, but a celebration. For a few hours, Busch Stadium was transformed from a major league park into a playground of joy, where Adam Wainwright danced, babies raced, and baseball's soul felt lighter. The Bananas didn't just win the game. They won us and 44,000 other fans over.
Boston Globe
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
What you missed at the Savannah Bananas games at Fenway Park
Related : Beyond the Advertisement Here are a few highlights from some wild games at Fenway. The Savannah Bananas face off against the Firefighters at Fenway Park. The Bananas play 'banana ball' which puts a unique twist on baseball rules. Doug Flutie delivered the first pitch Former Boston College star and 1984 Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie might be best known for his play on the gridiron. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up But the longtime NFL and CFL standout has become an honorary Savannah Banana at this point. Flutie was called upon to deliver the ceremonial first pitch for Sunday's game at Fenway. But, rather than it be more of a ceremonial display, Flutie's first offering actually counted as either a ball or a strike for the first at-bat for the Firefighters. But after Flutie's initial pitch dropped to the dirt for a ball, Flutie insisted on staying in the game to close out the at-bat. His wish was granted, with Flutie eventually ending what was an eight-pitch at-bat by forcing a soft pop-up to third base. Advertisement 1984 Heisman Winner, Doug Flutie, was brought on for the first pitch of the game in Fenway. He ended up insisting on staying on the mound and after an 8-pitch battle, secured the first out of the ballgame😤 — Savannah Bananas (@TheSavBananas) 78-year-old Bill Lee returned to the mound Former Red Sox southpaw Bill Lee last pitched in the big leagues for Boston in 1978. But the 'Spaceman' has become a staple at Bananas games for years now, with the 78-year-old pitcher taking the mound at Fenway for the second year in a row on Sunday. The Red Sox Hall of Famer was called upon with two outs in the sixth inning, closing out the frame after four pitches by inducing a fly out to left field — which was snagged as the left fielder was in the midst of a backflip. Despite his abbreviated outing, Lee ended his relief appearance with a bang, turning back to the mound and taking off his shirt and undershirt to the cheers of the fans in attendance. 'No, it never gets old here,' Lee Brock Holt may not be a fan of 'Banana Ball' Brock Holt, a 2018 World Series champion, was one of many former Red Sox who made guest appearances over the weekend. Holt, who spent parts of seven seasons with the Red Sox, made quite the entrance during Saturday's game, walking out to the field from the stands while receiving a large ovation from the crowd. Those cheers quickly turned to boos after Holt fouled off a pitch that was snagged out of the air by one fan in the grandstands. While a foul ball normally just counts as a strike in baseball, it is considered an out under 'Banana Ball' rules if any fan catches said foul ball. Advertisement As a result, Holt was called out on the play, with the fan's impressive catch of a screaming line drive leading to plenty of groans as a defeated Holt made his way to the dugout. This fan did NOT give Brock Holt a warm welcome in his return to Fenway Park 😅 — Banana Ball (@BananaBall_) Several other ex-Red Sox made cameos Beyond Lee and Holt, there were multiple other former Red Sox standouts who donned Bananas gear over the weekend. Former Red Sox closer Keith Foulke — who recorded the final out of the 2004 World Series — recorded the final out for an inning on Saturday with Savannah. 2004 World Series Champion, Keith Foulke, closes out the inning for the Savannah Bananas in Fenway Park! — Savannah Bananas (@TheSavBananas) Another former reliever (and 2018 World Series champion) in Matt Barnes also recorded the final out of an inning on Saturday. Johnny Damon, a 2004 World Series champion, stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning on Sunday, eventually lining out to first to close out the inning. 2018 World Series champion and 2018 ALCS MVP Jackie Bradley Jr. also made an appearance, eventually taking first after getting hit by a pitch. Bradley eventually returned to the game just two innings later as the Bananas' 'Golden Batter' — with the former Gold Glove winner flying out to center field in his second at-bat. The All-American Rejects performed an impromptu concert You never know what's going to happen at a Savannah Bananas game. Case in point: Pop-punk band The All-American Rejects rising up from their seats on Saturday before taking to the field and performing a small set to a sold-out Fenway Park. Nothing like the All American Rejects surprising a sold out crowd at Fenway with a little mid-game concert 😎 — Savannah Bananas (@TheSavBananas) During a three-song medley where lead singer Tyson Ritter made his way around the diamond and danced alongside Bananas players, the band performed 'Move Along,' 'Dirty Little Secret,' and 'Gives You Hell.' Advertisement The 'Rejects' were not done, however. After leaving Fenway, they also made a pit stop across the street to perform a set at the Lansdowne Pub. Conor Ryan can be reached at
CNET
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
Watch TikTok Sensations Savannah Bananas Free on Your Roku Screen
There's a chance your TikTok feed has slipped in a few clips of the Savannah Bananas, an exhibition baseball team whose antics and gameplay style may remind you of the Harlem Globetrotters. In a league of their own, -- they play Banana Ball and no longer belong to other leagues -- the team can be seen dancing, singing and throwing curveballs on social media and your TV screen. This weekend, you can stream a game for free on the Roku Channel. If coordinated choreography for songs like the Cupid Shuffle or KJ Jackson leading a lip-synced rendition of Gracie Abrams' That's So True haven't been enough to draw you all the way in, maybe the upcoming game between the Savannah Bananas and The Firefighters at Fenway Park will get you. What's Banana Ball exactly, and what can you expect? Well, there's a dance squad made up of senior citizens, a breakdancing coach, and all the players hit the choreo during every game. The Savannah Bananas have a roster of 25 and The Firefighters have a team of 27. Their hitters hit the field in creative, spirited walk-ups while there are plenty of other entertaining moves happening on the pitcher's mound and beyond. Winners are determined by points instead of runs and games can end before the ninth inning if one team has the most points. Because new innings can't begin after the 1-hour, 50-minute mark, whatever inning the game is in will be the last. Banana Ball games operate on a "2-hour limit." If you haven't checked the teams out in person or on TV yet, here's how to tune in for free. How to watch the Savannah Bananas vs. The Firefighters for free Viewers in the US can watch the live game held at Fenway Park on Sunday, July 6, at 3:30 p.m. ET (12:30 p.m. PT) by navigating to The Roku Channel's Sports Channel. The event is exclusive to the platform, and access is available via Roku TVs or devices, The Roku Channel website, iOS and Android devices, Fire TVs, Samsung TVs and Google TVs.
Business Upturn
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
How to watch Savannah Bananas Fenway Park game: Everything you need to know
By Bhavya Rai Published on July 5, 2025, 12:38 EDT The Savannah Bananas are continuing their exciting and fun World Tour, and this time they're heading to one of the most famous baseball stadiums in the country, Fenway Park in Boston. This is a big event for the team, as they bring their unique and entertaining version of baseball, called Banana Ball, to more fans across the country. The game at Fenway Park will happen on Saturday, July 5, and it's extra special because it will be shown on national television on ESPN. This means people all over the country can watch the game from home. It's a big moment for the Bananas as they continue to grow more popular and reach new audiences. So far, this tour has taken the Savannah Bananas to six other Major League Baseball stadiums. These include loanDepot Park, Truist Park, Kauffman Stadium, Angel Stadium, Great American Ball Park, and Nationals Park. Now, Fenway Park becomes the seventh major stadium on their list, showing just how far the Bananas have come. This won't be the first time the Bananas have played at Fenway. They were there last June and played in front of a sold-out crowd. They beat their longtime rivals, the Party Animals, and made a huge impression on fans. That game also featured special appearances by former Red Sox players like Jonathan Papelbon, Jonny Gomes, and Mitch Moreland, who joined in the fun. Fans are excited to see what surprises the Bananas will bring this time. With their reputation for wild stunts, dance routines, and surprise celebrity guests, the upcoming game at Fenway is sure to be full of unforgettable moments. The best part? You don't have to be in Boston to watch, just tune in to ESPN or stream the game online and enjoy the show. Where to watch the Savannah Bananas today: TV channel and live stream details for the Fenway Park game TV channel: ESPN ESPN Live stream: Fubo | ESPN+ The Savannah Bananas' exciting game at Fenway Park on Saturday will be shown live on ESPN. The action will be called by Josh Talevski and Biko Skalla, who will guide viewers through all the fun and wild moments Banana Ball is known for. If you prefer to watch online, you can stream the game on both Fubo and ESPN+. Fubo is a live TV streaming service that gives you access to channels like ESPN, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and over 200 others. The best part is that Fubo offers a free trial for new users, so you can try it out before committing to a subscription. Just keep in mind that certain plans, taxes, and fees may apply. Savannah Bananas vs. Firefighters start time Date: Saturday, July 5 Saturday, July 5 Time: 7 p.m. ET The Savannah Bananas and their rivals, the Firefighters, will kick off a two-game weekend series starting at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 5. Both games will be played at the legendary Fenway Park in Boston, making it a special event for fans and players alike. What makes this Saturday even more exciting is the addition of a one-hour pregame show called Banana Ball Live . This show will give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at everything that goes into Banana Ball, from the fun moments and wild rules to the team's unique style of play. It's also the first time that the ESPN family of networks will air a pregame show for a Banana Ball game, showing just how much the sport and the team have grown in popularity. Savannah Bananas TV schedule 2025 Date Time (ET) TV/Live stream Venue City July 5 7 p.m. ESPN, Fubo, ESPN+ Fenway Park Boston July 26 7 p.m. ESPN2, Fubo, ESPN+ Citizens Bank Park Philadelphia Aug. 1 7 p.m. ESPN, Fubo, ESPN+ Camden Yards Baltimore Aug. 2 7 p.m. ESPN2, Fubo, ESPN+ Camden Yards Baltimore Aug. 9 9 p.m. ESPN2, Fubo, ESPN+ Coors Field Denver Aug. 15 8 p.m. ESPN2, Fubo, ESPN+ Rate Field Chicago Banana Ball rules Every inning is worth one point. The team that wins the inning gets the point for that inning. In the last inning of the game, every run counts. A new inning cannot be started after two hours of game time. A hitter cannot step out of the box. If a hitter does step out, a strike will be added to the count. A hitter is not allowed to bunt. A hitter is allowed to attempt to steal first base on any pitch of an at-bat. There are no walks. If a pitcher throws four balls, every defensive player on the field must touch the ball before it becomes live. A hitter can advance to as many bases as possible. Catchers and coaches are not allowed to visit the mound. If a fan catches a foul ball, the catch results in an out. If the game is tied at the end of the time limit, the Showdown Tiebreaker will decide which team wins the game. Each team is allowed to challenge one ruling on the field (fair/foul ball calls, force/tag play calls and catch play calls). Fans will also have the ability to challenge one ruling during the game. The Golden Batter Rule allows a team to send any hitter to bat in any spot in the lineup. It can only be used once per game.
New York Post
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Mom, apple pie and the Savannah Bananas — America at its rollicking best
Major League Baseball is currently debating various rules changes to improve the game — when what it really needs is more players wearing capes and doing backflips. That, at least, is the lesson of the Savanah Bananas, the barnstorming team that has come up with a madcap version of baseball that's widely popular and is selling out stadiums around the country. The Bananas, or the Nanners as devotees call them, sold out Clemson University's Memorial Stadium back in April, with 81,000 in attendance. Advertisement Tickets for a couple of Nanner games at Yankee Stadium in September are selling on secondary sites at rates significantly higher than any Yankees game. Who's Yankee ace Max Fried compared to Dakota Stilts, the Bananas pitcher who bestrides the mound standing at 10 feet and 9 inches on, yes, stilts? Advertisement The Bananas and their handful of spin-off clubs have made America's pastime even more American. Banana Ball, now on what it calls a 'world tour,' is the baseball equivalent of the carnival coming to town. It taps into the barnstorming baseball tradition that goes back to the 19th century, into the antic spirit of minor-league baseball with its corny entertainment between innings, and into the showmanship of the Harlem Globetrotters. Twerking and behind-the-back catches are encouraged. Advertisement The Savanah Bananas were originally part of the Coastal Plain League, a summer league for college ballplayers. When the team's exhibition games with modified rules proved more popular than their staid standard fare, they went all-exhibition. We associate baseball with lazy summer afternoons, but there's nothing lazy about Banana Ball. It takes everything dull or overly subtle about baseball and smashes it underfoot, while dancing to a pop song. Advertisement At the end of the day, does anyone besides the true connoisseur enjoy seeing a batter try to bunt? In Banana Ball, bunting is strictly prohibited and any attempt will get the offending batter ejected from the game. Then, there are walks. Who walks in a real sport? What is this, golf? In Banana Ball, after the pitcher issues a base-on-balls, every fielder besides the pitcher and catcher has to touch the ball before the runner can be tagged out. This creates an incentive for runners to actually run out of the batter's box — and very often they reach second base. Banana Ball, correctly, views incessant and unnecessary delay as the enemy of fan engagement. Batters can't step out of the batter's box. There are no visits to the mound. Advertisement The game is timed and can't last more than two hours. (MLB has taken steps in this direction with the wondrously successful innovation of the pitch clock, but can still do more to hustle things along.) In loud and intense football stadiums, the fans are called 'the 12th man.' Advertisement In Banana Ball, the fans are literally the tenth fielder — if one of them catches a foul ball on the fly, the batter is out. 'Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America,' the French-American historian Jacques Barzun famously wrote, 'had better learn baseball.' Intellectuals aren't going to rhapsodize about Banana Ball, but it says something about America, too. Its popularity shows how much we prize speed, constant entertainment — and, oh yeah, viral moments on social media (which Banana Ball provides in abundance). Advertisement Kids, in particular, love it. Banana Ball isn't a sacrilege against the game, any more than wiffle ball or beer-league softball are. It is a popularization of baseball and an advertisement for it, demonstrating how a game that is perceived as dull and uneventful can be the occasion for rollicking fun. Advertisement We won't be arguing decades from now about who was the best Banana Ball player of this era. We can enjoy the spectacle all the same. The supposed inventor of baseball, Abner Doubleday, got much right. So who can blame him for not realizing how much the game could be enhanced by adding musical numbers and having pitchers throw from trampolines? Twitter: @RichLowry
