The Savannah Bananas: Redefining Baseball with Unconventional Flair
The Savannah Bananas, an independent baseball team born from the entrepreneurial spirit of Jesse and Emily Cole in 2015, have steadily transformed from a Class A affiliate of the New York Mets into a unique sporting phenomenon. As Jesse Cole himself puts it, “We look at ourselves as, we’re building a sport.” And indeed, the Bananas have established themselves as pioneers of an entertaining and boundary-pushing brand of baseball known as Banana Ball.
A Tour to Remember
In 2025, the Savannah Bananas are set to embark on a monumental 39-game tour that will take them to 18 Major League Baseball stadiums and three football stadiums from March to September. With a staggering waitlist of 3 million hopeful attendees, the anticipation surrounding this tour showcases the immense popularity that Banana Ball has garnered over the years. The team expects to draw in 2 million fans next year, further solidifying their presence in the baseball world.
Revolutionizing the Game
Banana Ball is not your traditional baseball. Instead, it embraces a rulebook designed to enhance entertainment and engagement. For instance, games are limited to two hours, a stark contrast to the often lethargically paced games found in the pros. This fast-paced format is complemented by quirky rules such as an automatic strike for stepping out of the batter's box and the ejection of any player who attempts to bunt.
Perhaps one of the most fan-centric rules is the ability for spectators to influence the outcome of the game. Fans can challenge calls and even contribute to outs by catching foul balls from the stands, creating an interactive experience that draws them into the action. Furthermore, after a fourth ball, batters embark on a thrilling sprint around the bases while the defensive team scrambles to throw the ball to every fielder, adding an element of high-energy chaos to the mix.
The Visionary Behind the Bananas
Jesse Cole's vision extends far beyond simply creating an entertaining game. “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,” he remarks. His ambition is not just to captivate baseball fans with the spectacle of Banana Ball but to inspire new generations to find joy in America's pastime.
Drawing comparisons to the Harlem Globetrotters—as both innovative and transformative in their respective fields—Cole embraces the analogy: “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.” This acknowledgment underlines the Bananas’ potential to make a lasting imprint on the sport of baseball by redefining what the game can be.
The Future Beckons
With an exhibit at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum as of 2023, the Savannah Bananas have been immortalized for their contributions to the sport. Yet, their ambitions continue to grow. In 2026, they plan to launch a Banana Ball Championship League consisting of six teams. This initiative marks another bold step in the Bananas’ effort to institutionalize their unique style of play and influence the broader baseball landscape.
The excitement generated by the Bananas has not only captured the imagination of fans but also attracted the attention of former baseball 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,” reveals Cole. This growing interest from baseball veterans further legitimizes Banana Ball’s standing in the sports community and enhances its appeal to a wider audience.
As the Savannah Bananas prepare to take their electrifying brand of baseball on the road, the enthusiasm surrounding their upcoming tour is palpable. Cole’s optimistic outlook captures the essence of their journey: “It's kind of fun to do the impossible.” In redefining baseball with passion, creativity, and a touch of whimsy, the Bananas continue to chart a course that promises to reshape the future of the sport.