The Savannah Bananas, an independent baseball team, are making waves in the sports world with their unique brand of play known as Banana Ball. Under the leadership of Jesse and Emily Cole, the Bananas have transformed from a Class A affiliate of the New York Mets into a phenomenon that pushes the boundaries of traditional baseball.
A New Sporting Frontier
"We look at ourselves as, we're building a sport," said Jesse Cole, the visionary behind the team. This vision will soon take center stage as the Bananas gear up for an ambitious 39-game tour in 2025, spanning 18 Major League Baseball stadiums and three football stadiums. The tour, set from March to September, is already creating incredible buzz, with a staggering waitlist of 3 million hopeful attendees eager to witness this sporting spectacle.
Banana Ball, distinguished by its unconventional rules, captures a mix of amusement and strategic challenge. In this unique format, stepping out of the batter's box results in an automatic strike, and players are ejected for attempting a bunt. Games are limited to two hours, amplifying the excitement and ensuring a fast-paced experience for fans. The crowd can influence the game by challenging calls and recording outs by catching foul balls, making them a part of the action in a way unseen in traditional games.
Reimagining Baseball Traditions
Jesse Cole draws inspiration from iconic innovators. "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." By introducing one-on-one showdowns instead of extra innings and a thrilling base run after four balls, Banana Ball redefines the parameters of the sport, presenting new challenges for players and fans alike.
As a testament to their impact, the Savannah Bananas now have an exhibit at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, a symbol of their growing influence and enduring legacy.
Beyond the Field
The vision for Banana Ball extends beyond 2025. A Banana Ball Championship League is on the horizon for 2026, which will feature six teams, expanding the innovative reach of this nascent sport. "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," Cole remarked, underscoring the commitment to a long-term vision that stretches beyond the immediate future.
Cole's enthusiasm for what his team and Banana Ball represent attracts notable interest from the baseball community. "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," he shared, illustrating the magnetic pull of this reimagined way to play and experience baseball.
A Legacy in the Making
The Bananas' story began in 2015 when Jesse Cole stepped up to purchase the team, inheriting a $1 million debt. Today, the team plays in front of packed crowds and anticipates entertaining 2 million fans next year. This remarkable turnaround highlights the power of innovation combined with a deep love for the game and its potential to unite fans and players in new, exciting ways.
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible," Cole notes, quoting Walt Disney, which seems to perfectly encapsulate the journey of the Savannah Bananas. The team is not just playing a game; they are crafting a new chapter in sports history, one that is both inclusive and imaginative.
With a firm grounding in creativity and an eye towards the future, the Savannah Bananas are far more than an anomaly in the baseball world—they are a glimpse into what the sporting landscape could become, marrying tradition with innovation in a way that is undeniably their own.