Today’s epiphany comes courtesy of Kathy Crowley as I am still working my way home from Alaska. Read along to experience Kathy’s whirlwind Banana Ball tour as she saw all six teams play in three unique host cities.
It all started innocently enough.
My friend, Tiffanie, said, “Hey, wanna celebrate my birthday this year at a Banana Ball game?
“Yes, absolutely.” I replied.
Tiffanie: “GREAT!”
Me: “Um, Tiffanie, what is Banana Ball?”
My first Banana Ball experience was in Chapel Hill, North Carolina where I saw the Savannah Bananas play the Tailgators.
I was not prepared.
I was not prepared for the kindness of the staff.
I was not prepared for the amazing player interactions.
I was not prepared for the in-depth discussions with coaches and umpires.
I was not prepared for how nice the packed crowd treated one another.
I was not prepared, in all the best ways.
When someone asks me that same question (What is Banana Ball?), I explain that it’s like the Harlem Globetrotters if they were injected with steroids and covered in glitter. No matter your age or lifestyle, a Banana Ball game (or three) is a must-do experience.
Banana Ball is literally a baseball game embedded within a magical show. Each team has countless routines, making each game a unique experience. The umps participate as well – such as this one who popped into the stands to celebrate with the fans.
While you truly never know what to expect at a Banana Ball game, you can count on hours of fun and entertainment. As founder and co-owner Jesse Cole says, Banana Ball is about controlling the things that can be controlled: “That’s even a lesson that you can take into your own life. There’s just some things that you’re not going to be able to control. We don’t control the weather, nor do we control other people’s behavior. All we can do is control how we respond to these things.”
For Banana Ball, that means an unforgettable event as the cast has full control over the fan experience.
Approachability is a key part to the experience at every level. It’s not often the owner of a professional sports team is accessible to fans, yet Jesse was easy to spot and happy to chat.
Learn more about Banana Ball, here. The history, the creative rules and the themed teams take baseball to a whole new level of fun.
After attending that first game in Chapel Hill, I was hooked. In the days following, Tiffanie reached out again with a note stating that she had a few tickets left for the Banana Ball games in Richmond, Virginia. I immediately called Jyl and invited her to join me. As is our norm, Jyl said “Sure!” With no idea what she’d signed up for. You can read more about Jyl’s thoughts here: Banana Ball (and all its Bliss).
In Richmond, we saw the Firefighters play the Clowns, met Champ (the Firefighters’ mascot), and were fan favorites thanks to our red cowgirl hats. While the show was completely different than the one I’d seen in Chapel Hill, it was equally as entertaining.
I should have known I’d hear from Tiffanie again, though I really had no plans on seeing the last game of the season. It was in Orlando, Florida, after all – not quite a quick drive from my North Carolina home. Still, when Tiffanie texted, “You’ve seen four out of the six teams, why don’t you round it out with all six?” I immediately thought, “Of course, I’ll do that.” All I had to do was get myself to Orlando on May 30th.
I’ve never booked an airline ticket faster.
I rounded out this year’s Banana Ball season with the Party Animals and Coconuts. Again, a completely unique show that was filled with amazing moments. After the game, as we were making our way to the parking lot, we ran into Emily Cole, the other co-founder of Banana Ball.
Emily stopped to talk with us for a few minutes and it was such a treat! From the staff to the players to the owners, everyone within the Banana Ball organization was unbelievably gracious with their time, happy to chat or take a picture or just listen to how the game had impacted me. While her husband can easily be found dressed head-to-toe in yellow, Emily prefers to slip in unnoticed among attendees. This allows her to witness the fan experience while listening in, engaging, and making notes for future reference.
To recap: Game One, rubbed elbows with Jesse Cole. Game Two, snuggles with Champ the Dalmation. Game Three, a lovely chat with Emily Cole.
Is this real life?
One of the many reasons I will always support the Banana Ball league is Bananas Foster, the official non-profit of Banana Ball. Established in 2023, Bananas Foster is dedicated to bringing families together by shining a light on those making a difference within the foster care community. The mission is to celebrate the foster care community while educating and inspiring others to get involved.