SALT LAKE CITY – After selling out Fenway Park in Boston, Progressive Field in Cleveland and Nationals Park in Washington DC earlier this year, the Savannah Bananas are bringing Banana Ball to Salt Lake City and Smith's Ballpark, home of the Salt Lake Bees.
Baseball's version of the Harlem Globetrotters, a national sensation in recent years, will be at Smith's Ballpark on August 30 and 31 when the Bananas take on the Party Animals.
Niznik has the smoothest slide this side of the Mississippi 😏 pic.twitter.com/vi98hkBF6B
— Savannah Bananas (@TheSavBananas) 26 August 2024
About Savannah Bananas
The Bananas play Banana Ball, a sport the team describes as “the fastest, most entertaining game of baseball.” During games, Banana Ball players perform choreographed dances, wear kilts, have extravagant introductions, and more.
Grayson Stadium in Savannah, Georgia is the home of the Bananas. Grayson Stadium is also known as Bananaland.
That looked a bit like Mohammed 👀@DonalsonJared's pitch behind the back led to an INSANE catch by @_CoachRAC pic.twitter.com/kwzDDgLExm
— Banana Ball (@BananaBall_) 26 August 2024
At the Bananas games there are “hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, water, lemonade, popcorn and cookies as much as you want.”
Prior to 2022, Savannah played in the Coastal Plain League, a collegiate league played in the summer. The Bananas left the league to play “Banana Ball” year-round.
The Bananas currently field three teams, the Savannah Bananas, the Party Animals and the Firefighters. Former MLB players Jonny Gomes, Bill Lee and Josh Reddick have played for the Bananas.
The first rule to remember about Banana Ball is…THERE ARE NO RULES!!! Well, not exactly. In fact, baseball purists may not recognize the version of baseball being played. For the Bananas, the game is about the show, and the show is about the fans.
“A game where baseball meets fun. Fans come first. Always entertaining.”
These are the eleven rules of Banana Ball. Which is your favorite rule?🍌 pic.twitter.com/iSxBrzxKgQ
— Savannah Bananas (@TheSavBananas) February 22, 2024
Rule 1: Win the inning, get the point
Like a game of golf where players count holes won rather than strokes, each inning of Banana Ball counts as a point. It doesn't matter if a team scores 14 or 4 runs in an inning; the highest total in each frame wins a point.
However, there is a catch: every run scored in the last inning counts as one point.
Rule 2: Two-hour time limit
Did we mention the fan-friendly atmosphere? Anyone planning dinner or with a screaming toddler will be happy to know that a new inning cannot begin after two hours.
Rule 3: No getting out
When a batter leaves the batter's box, it is automatically a strike.
The wheel has spoken 🎡
After I had turned the wheel of bats, @DanOberstPS had to take the big bat on the plate… And it worked 😳 pic.twitter.com/7lqmbT3HEW
— Savannah Bananas (@TheSavBananas) 25 August 2024
Rule 4: NO EYELASHES!!!
“Bunting sucks,” says the Banana Ball media guide. Instead of complaining, they solved the problem. If a batter bunts, he gets thrown out of the game.
Rule 5: Batters can steal first
Don't look away, because batters have a new way to reach first base. The batter can attempt to steal first base on any pitch of an at-bat.
RELATED TOPICS: Savannah Bananas announce world tour and stop in Salt Lake City
Rule 6: No walks allowed
There are no dull moments in Banana Ball, even with the dreaded ball-four walk. Instead of a walk, every time a pitcher throws a ball four, it becomes a sprint between the batter and defense. The batter can advance as many bases as he wants, while every defensive player on the field must touch the ball before it comes to life.
Different jersey, same KJ 🤯
Great to see him doing his first somersault trick in his new clothes 😤 pic.twitter.com/og7TiWx2qX
— Savannah Bananas (@TheSavBananas) 18 August 2024
Rule 7: No mound visits allowed
Know your role as a coach. The players play, the pitchers throw, and the coaches stay where they belong: in the dugout.
Rule 8: Fan foul: Catch the ball? OUT!
Bring your gloves to Smith's Ballpark and be a part of the game. If a fan catches a foul ball, the batter is out.
RULE #8: If a fan catches a foul ball, the game is over!
Tonight we broke a season record of 62 fan-caught foul balls in the 2024 season. pic.twitter.com/tOdXDqUA4I
— Savannah Bananas (@TheSavBananas) 18 August 2024
Rule 9: Showdown Tiebreaker
If the game is tied at the end of the two-hour time limit, there will be a showdown tiebreaker. In each showdown, the batter must score. If he scores, it is worth one point.
Rule 10: Banana Ball Challenge
This is another chance for fans to get involved. Both teams and spectators have the opportunity to challenge a decision on the field.
Rule 11: Golden Batter Rule
Once per game, a team may send any batter from the lineup to bat anywhere.
Follow professional baseball with KSL Sports
Brian Preece, our insider at KSLsports.com, can give you the inside scoop. He is your guide to the locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Check out his in-depth coverage of the Bees and Beehive baseball.
KSL Sports’ coverage of the Bees can be found here.
Take us with you everywhere.
Download the new and improved KSL Sports app from Utah's market leader to stream live radio and video and stay up to date on all your favorite teams.
