History of Savannah Bananas in Timeline

The Savannah Bananas are an exhibition baseball team known for their entertaining brand of baseball called Banana Ball. Based in Savannah, Georgia, they prioritize fan engagement through trick plays, performances, and fast-paced gameplay. Often likened to the Harlem Globetrotters, their games remain unscripted and competitive, featuring former minor league and college players, with occasional appearances from former MLB athletes. The team consists of four distinct groups of players who travel and compete.

2016: Attendance Records

During their inaugural 2016 season, the Savannah Bananas ranked second in average attendance among 160 summer collegiate teams, averaging 3,659 fans per game and breaking the Coastal Plain League single-season attendance record, while also setting a record for the highest average attendance in the history of Grayson Stadium.

2016: Team Announcement and Name Reveal

Following the departure of the Savannah Sand Gnats in 2015, the Coastal Plain League (CPL) announced in 2016 that Savannah would have a new team. On February 25, 2016, the team's name, logo, and colors were revealed as the 'Bananas' following a name-the-team contest.

2016: Inaugural Season and Championship Win

In 2016, the Bananas finished their inaugural season as the top seed in the CPL West Division and won the Petitt Cup Championship after defeating the Peninsula Pilots. The Bananas were also named the league's organization of the year in 2016 and 2017.

2016: Team Founding and First Championship

In 2016, the Savannah Bananas were founded and Grayson Stadium became their home ballpark. They competed in the Coastal Plain League (CPL) until 2022, winning three Petitt Cup championships.

2017: League Organization of the Year Award

In 2016 and 2017, the Bananas were named the league's organization of the year, recognizing their success both on and off the field.

2018: Creation of Banana Ball

In 2018, the Savannah Bananas created the alternative "Banana Ball" rule set and played their first intra-squad exhibition game using the new format.

June 26, 2020: Official Banana Ball Game

On June 26, 2020, the team played its first official game with Banana Ball rules, marking a shift towards the new format. The Savannah Party Animals also debuted as the opponent in Banana Ball games.

2022: Focus on Banana Ball

Following the 2022 summer league season, the Bananas announced they were folding their collegiate amateur team and only playing Banana Ball, both in Savannah and on the road as a barnstorming team.

2022: National Television Debut

In 2022, Banana Ball made its national television debut through a 6-game agreement with ESPN, with one game on ESPN2 and the rest on ESPN+.

2023: Jocelyn Alo's First Appearance

In 2023, Jocelyn Alo became the first woman to play for the Bananas, marking a significant moment in the team's history.

2023: Successful World Tour

In 2023, the Banana Ball World Tour had over 500,000 fans in attendance, showing the growing popularity of the team and the format.

2023: Continued Television Coverage

In 2023, the agreement with ESPN returned, providing the Banana Ball with one game on ESPN2 and two others on ESPN+.

2023: ESPN+ Miniseries and TikTok Popularity

In August 2023, ESPN+ released a miniseries about the team called Bananaland. By 2023, the team had over six million followers on TikTok, surpassing all MLB teams.

April 2024: Expanded Television Coverage

In April 2024, the Bananas announced that 19 games would air on Stadium and Bally Live, marking a significant expansion of their television presence.

July 2024: Expanded ESPN Agreement

In July 2024, the Bananas announced a 5-game agreement with ESPN, including three games on ESPN and two on ESPN2 as part of ESPN8 The Ocho.

August 2024: Agreement with TNT Sports

In August 2024, the Bananas announced an exclusive agreement with TNT Sports to air 5 games on TruTV, further broadening their television exposure.

2024: Alo Joins as Official Member

In 2024, the team announced that Jocelyn Alo had become the first female member of the Bananas, signing a one-month contract, further solidifying her role in the team.

2024: 2024 "World" Tour

The Savannah Bananas kicked off their 2024 "world" tour season on February 8 at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida, and concluded eight months later at LoanDepot Park in Miami, followed by a cruise ship trip to The Bahamas called "Bananaland at Sea". The tour included games at several MLB ballparks.

March 15, 2025: Record Attendance at Raymond James Stadium

On March 15, 2025, the Savannah Bananas drew their largest attendance ever, with 65,000 spectators at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

2025: Expansion to NFL and MLB Stadiums

In 2025, the Savannah Bananas announced they would play games in 40 cities, including three NFL stadiums and 17 MLB stadiums, signaling a major expansion of their tour.