Recently, a good friend of mine from my homeland of Orange, CA, attempted to get us tickets to go watch a Savannah Bananas baseball game. After being an avid “bananaball” fan for years, I was really excited at the prospect of seeing them live. However, the cheapest seats were still $40 for a terrible view and it just wasn’t really feasible for us to splurge for better seats. So, sadly, seeing the kilt-wearing baseball team in-person will remain a dream for the time being.
For those of you who may not be as much of a banana fan as me, the Savannah Bananas are a college summer baseball team based in Grayson Stadium in Savannah, Georgia. The owners, Jesse and Emily Cole wanted to bring baseball back to Savannah and make it fun upon moving there in 2015. The Coles were forced to sell their home in order to keep the team going by Jan. 2016. However, once they decided to name the team the “Savannah Bananas” they received national attention helping them sell out for their opening game. Since then, they’ve sold out every single one of their over 200 games.
Going to a Banana baseball game is an experience unmatched by any other baseball team. They perform choreographed dance routines to music by artists such as Taylor Swift, Morgan Wallen, Mariah Carey, and many others. They’ve also done routines to the “The Greatest Showman” and “High School Musical” soundtracks.
The Bananas do a 3-2-2, which stands for third inning, second batter, second pitch. These represent dances that they do throughout the game which also helped gain them recognition through TikTok or, in my case, Instagram Reels (I know, I know). You never fully know what you’re going to get with a game though because every time they score they celebrate in a different, epic way. Whether it’s running through the crowd or performing a fully choreographed country line dance, spectators are sure to be entertained.
I first learned of the Bananas when my dad showed me a clip of one of their games. As someone who loves baseball and musical theater, the combination of the two in this way was something I never thought possible, but which is legendary. I also thought it was cool that my name was also their name (though I know Savannah is the city, but still…).
I just wish that tickets were more affordable, but given the fact that the owners literally had to sell their house to get the team going, I kind of understand. And hopefully, someday, I’ll get to see the Savannah Bananas play ball and dance in person.
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