The Savannah Bananas 2025 barnstorming baseball tour began in Mesa, Arizona, earlier this month. The “Banana Ball” tour played to eight sold-out shows in the Southwest and Florida before returning home on February 21st. Historic Grayson Stadium in Savannah will serve as the home ballpark for the yellow-clad tricksters as they dazzle fans with spontaneous, acrobatic plays. The Bananas will be back-flipping in the outfield. Turning what would otherwise be a can of corn into a Michelin star entree-level catch.
The stadium has had beautiful upgrades; construction was completed this past off-season. The old grass field has been replaced with state-of-the-art hybrid Astroturf. Similar to what Tampa Bay and Toronto would have in MLB and what several college programs have installed in recent years. The new HD video board beyond the center field wall offers fans a futuristic spin to the hallowed baseball grounds.
After all, this is the field where Bath Ruth and Lou Gehrig brought their own barnstorming brand of baseball showmanship in the roaring 1920s. It’s also where Hank Aaron started his journey towards becoming MLB’s Home Run King. The venue and community are among baseball’s most treasured.
Think of a perfectly unique mix of WWE, professional baseball, American Gladiators, and a playoff Sunday NFL tailgate party. Then you’ll have an honest attempt at describing the Savannah Banana experience. Players are clearly elite and carefully chosen from baseball hotbeds around the world. Some have had extensive professional experience; others are recently retired college players.
For the home opener, fans cheered on the radiant yellow jerseys of the Bananas vs. the hot pink tank tops and cowboy hats of the opposition “Party Animals.” The game ran as a regular professional baseball game normally would, with skilled pitching and hard-hit balls.
The intensity is there, but the element of fun and a carnival-type vibe for all in attendance is undeniable. Points are awarded for trick plays, ranging from hidden ball schemes to cart-wheel executed double plays. Fireworks celebrations just might follow the play that stands out as the best.
It’s not just the players who get involved in the act; it’s the umpires who cap off an ordinarily mundane call, with a freakishly awesome and acrobatic dance routine. One might think that the games would last too long with all of these antics and shenanigans. Fans are quickly reassured that the pace of play is no issue in Banana Ball, as players aim for the title of “Fastest Inning.” They will offer the sport’s most entertaining 7th inning stretch, often with a flashmob dance that everyone in attendance can get into. There is so much going on at any given time. One thing is for sure: Banana Ball is never boring.
The Savannah Bananas could not have arrived at a more perfect time. They are helping to turn “fringe fans” who might be on the fence over whether or not they like baseball. It is quite simply a celebration of the game for all. Tickets for the nationwide Banana Ball tour sell out quickly as the Bananas travel from coast to coast.
Sometimes, they will bring their traveling road show to smaller towns and venues like Sloan Park in Mesa. More often than not, they will fill MLB stadiums like Truist Park in Texas or Busch Stadium in St. Louis. The Savannah Bananas experience is guaranteed to get the family into baseball, and more importantly, it reminds us all that baseball, like all sports, is supposed to be fun.
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