History of Banana Ball in Timeline

Banana Ball is an exhibition baseball league based in Savannah, Georgia, primarily playing games at Grayson Stadium. The league is known for its unconventional and entertaining approach to baseball. The league currently consists of six teams: the Savannah Bananas, the Party Animals, the Firefighters, the Texas Tailgaters, the Loco Beach Coconuts and the Indianapolis Clowns. The Indianapolis Clowns being a revival of the original Negro league baseball team.

2016: Petitt Cup championship

In 2016, the Bananas won a Petitt Cup championship as part of the Coastal Plain League (CPL) West division.

2018: Experiments with Banana Ball

In 2018, the Savannah Bananas began experimenting with the Banana Ball format by playing an exhibition game against Lander University.

2020: Debut of Party Animals squad

During the shortened 2020 Bananas CPL season, the organization debuted a second squad for Banana Ball games at home: the Party Animals, wearing black or pink uniforms.

2020: First Banana Ball team formed

In 2020, the first Banana Ball team carrying the name of the Bananas was established.

2020: First official Banana Ball game

In 2020, the first official Banana Ball game was played at Grayson Stadium, with the Savannah team splitting into two for the game.

2021: Petitt Cup championship

In 2021, the Bananas won a Petitt Cup championship as part of the Coastal Plain League (CPL) West division.

2022: Savannah team plays both Banana Ball and CPL

From 2020 to 2022, the Savannah team played both Banana Ball games and their regular Coastal Plain League (CPL) schedule.

2022: Petitt Cup championship and shift to exhibition games

In 2022, the Bananas won a Petitt Cup championship in the CPL. After 2022, the team moved entirely to exhibition games against partner touring teams, focusing on Banana Ball.

October 5, 2023: Debut of the Firefighters

On October 5, 2023, the Firefighters debuted as part of the 2024 season launch night, wearing firefighter-themed uniforms.

2023: Formation of Banana Ball League

In 2023, the Savannah Bananas began playing Banana Ball full time, and the Banana Ball league was officially formed.

June 2024: Introduction of the Visitors

In June 2024, the Visitors were introduced as opponents for the Party Animals or Bananas in certain games. They wore generic gray uniforms with blue numbering.

October 3, 2024: Announcement of The Texas Tailgaters

On October 3, 2024, The Texas Tailgaters were announced during the 2025 season launch night as the fourth team in the league and fifth overall.

2024: Firefighters debut season

In 2024, the Firefighters debut as an official team.

2024: Party Animals become a permanent team

In 2024, the Party Animals were fleshed out as a more permanent team with its own slate of games outside of the Bananas tour.

July 27, 2025: Inaugural Broadcast on CW Sports

On July 27, 2025, Banana Ball partnered with CW Sports for its inaugural broadcast. Games also aired live on YouTube and have aired on ESPN2, Disney+, and HBOMax in the summer of 2025.

October 9, 2025: Announcement of Loco Beach Coconuts

On October 9, 2025, as part of the 2026 season launch night, the BBCL announced the creation of the Loco Beach Coconuts.

2025: Inaugural season of the Texas Tailgaters

In 2025, the Tailgaters' inaugural season was successfully held with games across the country against the other three league teams.

2025: Firefighters' own slate of games

Starting in 2025, the Firefighters have their own slate of games separate from the Bananas tour.

February 2026: Banana Ball rules amended

As of February 2026, the rules of Banana Ball were amended.

2026: Franchise split and end of the Visitors

As of 2026, the developmental wing of the Bananas organization, the Visitors, phased out, and the franchise was split into two Banana Ball teams: the Loco Beach Coconuts and the Indianapolis Clowns.

2026: Loco Beach Coconuts debut and new mascots

In 2026, the Loco Beach Coconuts made their league debut. Coco the Coconut debuted during the 2026 Bananaland at Sea Cruise, which also saw the debut of a secondary mascot, Peter Colada.