Baseball can be a long game with widely scattered moments of excitement, but the newest baseball craze, banana ball, has been filling stadiums and reigniting love for the iconic game. Now, the first-ever professional banana ball team, the Savannah Bananas, has been taking the internet by storm with their iconic dances and playful antics. According to the Savannah Bananas’ website, Jesse Cole, the creator of the team, is a lifelong baseball fan who has always believed that the sport was taken too seriously; it is supposed to be a game, after all. In what can only be considered a truly unique approach, Cole decided to create his own version of the game that includes dancing, singing, stilts, and, above all else, fun. Between a commitment to diversity, fan interaction and a focus on viewer enjoyment, Cole and his game have created a one-of-a-kind baseball experience.

The waiting list for Savannah Bananas tickets is nearly 600,000 people long, and there’s a reason for that; Cole is constantly updating the rules based on fan feedback and other statistics. As per the Bananas’ TikTok page, multiple rules have been added to the game since its inception, such as a firm two-hour time limit. If the game is a tie, the batter and pitcher have a dance-off. Instead of “walks” after four balls, the batter sprints to try and hit as many bases as he can before every member of the defense touches the ball and can tag him out. Batters can even steal first if there’s a wild pitch. The most exceptional rule allows fans to get involved: someone in the crowd can catch a foul ball to make an out. Banana ball is designed to avoid downtime or pauses to keep the audience on its toes. No mound visits, no breaks between pitches and any interlude is filled with singing and dancing. Despite all the standout plays, the core of the game is still baseball, encouraging both new fans and those who have loved baseball for years.

The Bananas have a crew of almost 110 people every game, according to Esquire, including two cheer squads, backup dancers and the teams themselves. One of the cheer teams, The Savannah Banana Nanas, is made up exclusively of women over the age of 70, while the other team, the Man-ananas, consists of men with “dad bods.” Players also interact with fans outside of the game. Their rehearsals can be attended by both supporters with a special membership and those without. The membership is $59 per year, according to campaignlive.com, and allows early access to ticket sales, merchandise and exclusive events. The players also act as concierges and perform many necessary duties throughout the day of the game.

The company Cole founded to run Banana Ball is called Fans First Entertainment LLC., and it lives up to its name. The Bananas play at Grayson Stadium, playfully nicknamed Bananaland, in Savannah, Ga., hence the name. The stadium has a distinctive aspect that isn’t present in any stadium in the country: no advertisements. On their website, the Bananas promise that fans won’t have to see billboards, signs, or screens covered in brand names. Cole wants the patrons to enjoy the game in the moment without distractions…well, without UNPLANNED distractions, at least. The stadium also boasts a “fan wall” where every newcomer can sign their name to leave their mark on the stadium itself. Once inside, the clientele has access to all-you-can-eat hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, water, soda, popcorn and cookies. The experience is all-inclusive in an effort to celebrate and reward the fans for their loyalty and patronage. There is also a price cap on tickets. Fans First Entertainment sells every ticket for between $35 and $60, according to Cole on TikTok. They charge no ticket fees, service fees, or convenience fees AND they pay for the tax on tickets. 

The Savannah Bananas are ushering in a new age of entertainment focused on the fans rather than profits and advertising. Most major sports leagues could take a page from Cole’s book and work to improve the overall audience experience.