In the world of independent baseball, few teams have captured the imagination and attention of fans quite like the Savannah Bananas. Embracing an innovative twist on America's pastime, this Georgia-based team is not just playing ball—they're redefining it. Established in 2015 under the ownership of Jesse and Emily Cole, the Bananas began their journey with a financial burden, shouldering a $1 million debt. Now, a decade later, they have transformed into a phenomenon with plans to tour across Major League Baseball (MLB) and football stadiums, capturing the hearts of millions.
An Unconventional Tour
The 2025 season promises to be a landmark year for the Savannah Bananas as they embark on a 39-game tour that will take them to 18 MLB stadiums and three football stadiums from March to September. This ambitious tour is already generating significant buzz, evidenced by a staggering waitlist of 3 million hopeful attendees eager to witness Banana Ball live. The anticipated attendance next year is projected to reach an impressive 2 million fans. Jesse Cole, co-founder of the team, remarked with pride, "We're building something for future generations to have fun with and really create something truly special."
A New Kind of Baseball
Banana Ball is not your typical baseball game. It features a suite of unique rules designed to keep fans on the edge of their seats. Players face an automatic strike for stepping out of the batter's box, while bunting attempts are grounds for ejection. Unlike traditional games that can stretch on for hours, Banana Ball is tightly packaged into two-hour contests, with no time limit on the fun and excitement.
In a nod to fan involvement, spectators can challenge calls and even record outs by catching foul balls. The dynamic pace continues with batters dashing the bases after a fourth ball while the defense must make the rounds to each fielder. Extra innings? Try one-on-one showdowns instead. This inventive format has drawn comparisons to the Harlem Globetrotters of basketball, a likeness that Jesse Cole embraces: "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."
Building a Legacy
The Bananas’ reach now stretches beyond the typical baseball fan. As they prepare to perform in major league stadiums, the allure of Banana Ball is attracting the attention of former stars of the sport—All-Stars, World Series champions, and MVPs—seeking to be part of this unique sporting adventure. Jesse Cole acknowledges, "Now, as we go out to these major league stadiums, we're getting reached out to by a lot more former stars... that want to be a part of it."
With the landscape of baseball in constant evolution, the Savannah Bananas are poised not only to entertain but to potentially influence the sport's future. As reflected by their recent exhibit at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, their impact on baseball culture and innovation is already being recognized. A new chapter awaits as a Banana Ball Championship League is planned for 2026, featuring six teams and promising even more engagement.
For Jesse Cole and the Savannah Bananas, the mission is clear: they're building a sport for the modern era while celebrating the joy and spontaneity that baseball brings. As Cole aptly cites Walt Disney, "It's kind of fun to do the impossible." And with each innovative step, the Savannah Bananas are proving that the impossible is, indeed, possible.