SAVANNAH, GA – The Savannah Bananas are excited to announce that Tyler Gillum, head coach of the 2018 Bananas, will be returning for the 2019 season. Gillum led the Bananas to a 37-13 record and their third appearance in the Coastal Plain League Playoffs.
The Bananas held the best record in the regular season out of 16 teams in the league. They also led the league in runs, stolen bases and hitting. Seven players were named to the All-CPL teams and six players were chosen to participate in the 2018 All-Star Game. Gillum was chosen to be head coach for the National team in the 2018 All-Star Game and led the team to a win.
“This year was incredible and Tyler was an amazing leader to the players on the field,” said President Jared Orton. “Bananas fans should be fired up to have him back next season.”
Gillum is currently an assistant coach and Health & Wellness program coordinator at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix, AZ. Although the 2018 season was his first year with the Coastal Plain League, he has several previous years of experience in summer collegiate baseball in the Texas Collegiate League, as well as the Myrtle Beach League and the prestigious Cape Cod League.
During his time in the Texas Collegiate League, his team, the Brazos Valley Bombers won three TLC titles.
After his inaugural season with the Bananas, Gillum looks forward to spending another summer in Savannah.
“I’m honored and privileged to have the opportunity to coach in Savannah in 2019. The culture of the Bananas organization is really unique and focused on positively impacting people which makes this an easy decision to come back again,” Gillum said. “I want to thank Jesse, Emily and Jared for an unbelievable experience in year one and I can’t wait to see what we build in year two. Banana Nation are the best fans in the world and I can’t wait to see them going crazy in the stands again. See you all in 2019! BOOM BABY!”
To secure tickets for the 2019 season, join the waitlist. This gives fans priority and allows those who sign up to be the first to know all about our memberships and ticket options. Fans can sign up at www.thesavannahbananas.com/2019waitlist.
The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s premier summer collegiate baseball league. Heading into its 22nd season in 2018, the CPL features 16 franchises playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. To date, the CPL has had over 1,450 alumni drafted and 116 alums – including 2017 ALCS MVP, 2017 World Series champion, 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young award winner Justin Verlander, as well as 2017 NLCS MVP Chris Taylor – make their Major League debut. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat @CPLBaseball.