The Evolution of a Baseball Phenomenon: The Savannah Bananas
What do you get when you take the zany spirit of the Harlem Globetrotters, mix it with America's pastime, and add a sprinkle of circus-like antics? You get the Savannah Bananas, a team that's not just playing baseball—it's redefining it. Gone are the days when they were simply a Class A affiliate of the New York Mets. The Savannah Bananas, under the audacious vision of Jesse and Emily Cole since 2015, have transformed into an independent sensation. With a quirky take on America's pastime, the team is preparing for an ambitious tour across 18 Major League Baseball stadiums and three football stadiums in 2025, playing 39 games from March to September. The demand is undeniable, as evidenced by the staggering waitlist of 3 million hopeful attendees.
A League of Their Own
The Bananas aren't just playing traditional baseball—they're playing Banana Ball, a sport with its own revolutionary rules. Where else but in Banana Ball would a batter's bunting attempt lead to ejection, or stepping out of the batter’s box result in an automatic strike? Even fans have a hands-on role; they can challenge calls and even record outs themselves by catching foul balls. However, it's not just these unconventional rules that captivate audiences. After four balls, batters dash around the bases while the defensive team must pass the ball to every fielder—a spectacle that's thrilling, chaotic, and uniquely Banana. And forget about ordinary extra innings, as the Bananas employ electrifying one-on-one showdowns instead.
The Larger Vision
Jesse Cole, the mastermind behind this remarkable transformation, views the Bananas as more than a team. "We look at ourselves as, we're building a sport," he says, encapsulating the broader cultural movement he envisions. For Cole, it's about crafting something extraordinary for future generations. "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 notes, his ambitions clearly stretching beyond the baseball diamond.
The reach and appeal of the Bananas have not gone unnoticed in the sports world. Former baseball stars—All-Stars, World Series champions, and MVPs—are increasingly drawn to the Bananas, eager to become part of this revolutionary experience. Jesse Cole relishes the comparison to basketball's iconic Harlem Globetrotters, acknowledging the compliment fondly. "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," he explains.
Breaking New Ground
As if the upcoming tour isn't a bold enough venture, the Savannah Bananas are poised to play in front of 2 million fans next year, an achievement few would have dared to dream about when Cole first shouldered a $1 million debt to buy the team. The Bananas have made such an indelible impact that they now boast an exhibit at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum as of 2023.
Looking toward the future, Jesse Cole aims even higher with plans to establish a Banana Ball Championship League in 2026, featuring six teams. The seeds for this expansive vision are already sown, reflecting Cole’s relentless pursuit of the impossible—a sentiment that resonates with the words of Walt Disney: "It's kind of fun to do the impossible," a quote Cole embraces as inspiration.
As the Bananas set their sights on national stadiums and gather momentum, their story becomes more than just a baseball tale; it's the saga of breaking established norms and crafting a new, audacious narrative. In doing so, they're redefining a beloved sport for a new era, engaging fans in ways that were once merely imagined.