A couple of years ago, I was watching the Little League World Series, which takes place every August in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania (the 2025 tournament is scheduled for August 13–24). One of the fun things they do during the broadcast is share little bits of trivia about each batter—like their favorite food, movie, song, MLB player, and team. One kid listed his favorite team as the Savannah Bananas.
The Savannah Bananas? I watch a lot of baseball and thought I knew every team—but I was wrong. I looked them up and immediately got sucked into their social media clips. Their players (many of them former pros) make jaw-dropping, circus-like catches and perform choreographed dance routines mid-game. I showed my kids (5 and 8), and they laughed their little heads off. Instead of walking away after one play, like they usually do with MLB games, they kept asking for more.
Based in Savannah, Georgia, the Savannah Bananas are redefining baseball with their over-the-top, wildly entertaining version of the sport, known as “Banana Ball.” Founded in 2016 by Jesse and Emily Cole, the team started in the Coastal Plain League, winning three championships before shifting entirely to Banana Ball exhibitions in 2022.
What makes Banana Ball different? It’s fast-paced, fan-focused, and full of surprises: games are capped at two hours, there’s no bunting, batters can steal first base, umpires dance and even fans can catch foul balls for outs. Combine that with dancing players, comedic skits, and constant crowd interaction, and you’ve got a live experience unlike anything else in sports.
In 2023, their Banana Ball World Tour drew over 500,000 fans, with sold-out shows at major league parks and even NFL stadiums. 60 Minutes recently featured them in a must-watch 13-minute segment (see video below), and I can almost guarantee you’ll be a fan by the end. Catch them at Grayson Stadium in Savannah or on tour—you won’t see baseball the same way again. I wouldn’t be surprised if they start taking their show global, and something tells me MLB is already paying close attention—just like that 11-year-old little leaguer.
