The Savannah Bananas: Reinventing Baseball with a Flair
The Savannah Bananas are not your average baseball team. An independent team that started under the ownership of Jesse and Emily Cole in 2015, they have evolved from their roots as a Class A affiliate of the New York Mets into a new phenomenon known as Banana Ball. The Bananas are poised to make waves in 2025 as they embark on an ambitious 39-game tour across 18 Major League Baseball stadiums and three football stadiums.
With a waitlist of 3 million hopeful attendees, the demand for Banana Ball is undeniable. Jesse Cole, the visionary behind the team, is no stranger to bold moves. “We look at ourselves as, we're building a sport," he says, echoing a sentiment that permeates the team’s ethos.
A New Chapter in Baseball
The upcoming tour is set to run from March to September 2025, giving fans a taste of what Banana Ball has to offer. It’s a game with a twist, featuring unique rules designed to inject fun and excitement into the sport. An automatic strike is awarded for stepping out of the batter's box, and a bunt attempt can lead to immediate ejection. Games are capped at two hours, leaving no room for the drawn-out tensions traditionally associated with baseball.
Emphasizing interactivity, Banana Ball allows fans to challenge calls and even record outs by catching foul balls. When a batter receives the fourth ball, they must sprint the bases while the defensive team scrambles to pass the ball to every fielder, adding an exhilarating layer of unpredictability. Extra innings? Not in Banana Ball. Instead, games are decided by one-on-one showdowns, ensuring a dramatic conclusion every time.
The Journey from Debt to the Hall of Fame
Jesse Cole’s journey with the Savannah Bananas was not without its challenges. He took on a $1 million debt to acquire the team, a risk that seems to be paying off as they carve out their unique space in the world of baseball. The team’s efforts have been recognized with a spot in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, cementing their status as trailblazers in the sport.
Looking to solidify their legacy further, the Savannah Bananas are planning a Banana Ball Championship League in 2026, featuring six teams. This league will serve as a platform to expand the Banana Ball brand and introduce its unconventional rules to a broader audience.
A Vision for the Future
Embracing comparisons to the Harlem Globetrotters, Jesse Cole acknowledges the similarities in their transformative impact on their respective sports. "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," Cole reflects. Like the Globetrotters, the Bananas are integrating entertainment with sport, appealing not only to purists but also to those seeking enjoyment and novelty.
With their innovative approach, the Savannah Bananas catch the eyes of former stars, All-Stars, World Series champions, and MVPs, who are now eager to be part of this burgeoning spectacle. "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," Cole remarks, highlighting the growing allure and legitimacy of Banana Ball.
The Banana Ball Phenomenon
As the Bananas prepare to play in front of an expected 2 million fans next year, the excitement around the team continues to swell. For Jesse Cole, the journey represents a dream that extends beyond baseball. "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 explains. His vision is not only to entertain but also to inspire future generations, creating a lasting legacy in the world of sports.
Jesse Cole’s conviction is aptly summed up in the words of Walt Disney: "It's kind of fun to do the impossible." In the world of Banana Ball, the impossible is becoming the norm, as this innovative team continues to push the boundaries of what baseball can be.