The Savannah Bananas Story
What Makes Us Different
We are not your typical baseball team. We are different. We take chances. We toe the line. We test the rules. We challenge the way things are supposed to be.
We play Banana Ball– the fastest and most entertaining game of baseball.- Our “Bananaland” 5 part documentary came out in August 2022 on ESPN+.
- Our players perform choreographed dances every game – Britney Spears, Michael Jackson, Toby Keith – You name it, they’ve danced to it.
- Every game we have a 3-2-2, which stands for 3rd inning, second batter, second pitch. These are unique in-game pre-pitch dances that have combined together for over 300 million views on TikTok.
- We are the only baseball team to play in kilts. That’s right, kilts.
- Our players perform in over-the-top music videos like Old Town Road, Can’t Stop the Peeling, and I Don’t Dance.
- Our hitters walk ups are legendary. Bananas may be escorted to the plate by the Banana Pep Band, walk down the yellow carpet wearing the finest Dolce and Banana, or they may even introduce themselves.
- We are known for our epic scoring celebrations. From running through the crowd to performing fully choreographed country line dances. When we score, you never know what will happen next.
- Our owner, Jesse Cole, wears a yellow tuxedo. Not just sometimes, all the time.
- We have the World’s Tallest Hitter and Pitcher with Dakota “Stilts” Albritton who stands 10 feet tall.
- We don’t host your typical postgame interviews. Player may be interviewed in the shower, in the bathroom stall, in an ice bath, in a massage chair, or even in their own bed.
- We have the Banana Nanas, a senior citizen dance team, and the Man-Nana’s, our Dad Bod Cheerleading Squad.
- We have the World’s only Dancing Umpire in Vincent Chapman who will bust out the floss, robot or twerk it out on strike out calls.
- We have the World’s only Breakdancing Coach in Maceo Harrison who may do the moonwalk or the Single Ladies dance before giving a sign to the hitter.
- Every game we honor the Banana Baby. Cue the Lion King opening music and the players kneeling around the baby being lifted in a banana costume.
- Our merchandise is sold world wide and we offer Fans First Free Shipping across the US.
- The Bananas’ story has been featured in more than 20 books.
What Makes Bananaland Different
- We play in Historic Grayson Stadium, affectionately referred to as Bananaland.
- When you come to Bananaland, your experience is All-Inclusive: concessions in Savannah are All-You-Can-Eat! This includes hotdogs, hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, water, soda, popcorn and cookies.
- We gave the stadium back to the fans. Historic Grayson Stadium is the first ever Ad-Free ballpark.
- We serve our own Savannah Banana Beer, Banana Split Cream Soda, and specialty alcoholic drink, the Slippery Banana, in Bananaland.
- While you are visiting, be a part of Bananaland forever by signing our Fan Wall in right field to leave your very own lasting mark.
2025 Vision
We think there’s a better way to do almost everything. So we will try it all. Some people may think we’re crazy. But we are okay with that. No matter what, we just want to have fun. We are driven by this goal to make baseball fun. And ultimately give fans the best possible experience at our ballpark. We call this Fans First.
How It Started
The mission of “Fans First. Entertain Always.” guides us in everything we do.
So far it has worked. And we are just getting started.
We launched the Savannah Bananas on February 25, 2016 and immediately received national recognition. Trending on Twitter and shoutouts on SportsCenter and Good Morning America came within the first 24 hours.
Bananas merchandise was sold to all 50 states. Not to mention 6 countries.
Fast forward to the 2016 season and the storybook year continued. We broke the stadium attendance record as 18 of the 25 games sold out. The team took the league by storm and won the Coastal Plain League Championship.
Other awards would follow such as Organization of the Year, Executives of the Year and Sports Event of the Year.
More than anything, we became a part of the community. We made a difference. And that’s what makes us most proud.
Our Team
The Bananas were part of the Coastal Plain League, a summer collegiate league, for seven seasons.
The team won three Petitt Cup Championships while part of the CPL and had over 35 players drafted across the seven years of play.
In 2022, the Bananas announced that they were leaving the Coastal Plain League to play Banana Ball year-round. Banana Ball was born out of the idea of making baseball more fast-paced, entertaining, and FUN.
The Bananas now field two independent professional teams – The Savannah Bananas and The Party Animals. Both teams are made up of players who are recruited and paid for their play.
Current and former MLB stars such as Jonny Gomes, Bill Lee, and local Savannahian, Josh Reddick, have all played with the Bananas professional team.
You can find out more about the Bananas teams here.
Our Community
Over the past seven years, the Savannah Bananas have partnered with hundreds of different schools, churches, organizations, and non-profits and have raised over half a million dollars through fundraising. Community organizations are able to raise money through ticket sales, keeping a portion of the revenue of tickets sold. 50/50 raffles are held for additional fundraising and each game has a featured non-profit of the night.
