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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Savannah Bananas

The Savannah Bananas are an exhibition barnstorming baseball team based in Savannah, Georgia, known for playing Banana Ball, a modified version of baseball that emphasizes showmanship, fan participation, and faster games.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Savannah Bananas are an exhibition barnstorming baseball team based in Savannah, Georgia, known for playing Banana Ball, a modified version of baseball that emphasizes showmanship, fan participation, and faster games. The organization was founded by Jesse and Emily Cole and later shifted from collegiate summer baseball to independent touring events.

History

The Savannah Bananas were founded in Savannah in 2016, after the founders arrived in 2015 with a plan to revive local baseball interest. They originally competed in the Coastal Plain League before leaving in 2022 to focus on Banana Ball and touring exhibitions.

Banana Ball

Banana Ball is the Bananas' modified version of baseball, built around speed, fan interaction, and entertainment. Reported features include a time limit, no bunting, and rules that reward spectacle and pace.

Home games and touring

The team plays home games at Grayson Stadium in Savannah, while many of its games are staged as part of a national tour. Their shows are frequently sold out and are marketed as live entertainment events as much as sporting contests.

Ownership and organization

The team was co-founded by Jesse and Emily Cole, and ownership is associated with Fans First Entertainment. The broader organization now fields multiple independent teams under the Banana Ball Championship League name.

Key facts

  • The Savannah Bananas are an exhibition barnstorming baseball team based in Savannah, Georgia.
  • They are known for Banana Ball, a modified version of baseball that emphasizes showmanship and fan participation.
  • The team was founded in 2016 by Jesse and Emily Cole and originally played in the Coastal Plain League before becoming independent in 2022.
  • Home games are played at Grayson Stadium, and the team also travels nationally for touring exhibition games.
  • The organization is owned through Fans First Entertainment.
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Canadian context

The Savannah Bananas have drawn attention in Canada through international sports coverage and social-media popularity, making them a recognizable example of modern sports-entertainment branding for Canadian readers.

Frequently asked questions

What are the Savannah Bananas?
They are an exhibition barnstorming baseball team from Savannah, Georgia, best known for Banana Ball, a fan-focused and entertainment-oriented version of baseball.
Where do the Savannah Bananas play?
Their home games are played at Grayson Stadium in Savannah, Georgia, and they also travel nationally for touring exhibition games.
What are the rules of Savannah Bananas games?
Banana Ball uses modified rules designed to speed up play and add entertainment, including a two-hour time limit and no bunting; some reports also note fan-caught foul balls can count as outs.
How do you get Savannah Bananas tickets?
Tickets are sold through the team’s official channels, but demand is very high and many games sell out quickly; waitlists have also been used for some seasons.
Who owns the Savannah Bananas?
The team was co-founded and is owned by Jesse Cole and Emily Cole through Fans First Entertainment.
Are the Savannah Bananas a real baseball team?
Yes. They are a real baseball organization, but they are not a traditional league team; they are an exhibition team that plays Banana Ball and touring events.

References

  1. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/46519615/savannah-bananas-101-teams-rules-baseball-facts
    Supports: Founding, transition to independent team, co-founders, mission
  2. Savannah Bananas — https://thesavannahbananas.com/about_us/
    Supports: Organization structure, Fans First Entertainment, multiple teams, Banana Ball Championship League
  3. USA Today — https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2023/07/21/savannah-bananas-2023-tickets-schedule-what-to-know/70420085007/
    Supports: Exhibition team status, home stadium, touring games, ticket information
  4. Baseball-Reference Bullpen — https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Savannah_Bananas
    Supports: Location, league history, stadium, end of collegiate summer team
  5. Forbes — https://www.forbes.com/sites/justinbirnbaum/2025/09/21/the-savannah-bananas-baseballs-zaniest-team-are-now-worth-half-a-billion-dollars/
    Supports: Ownership by Jesse and Emily Cole, Banana Ball rules such as time limit and bunting restriction
  6. Hindustan Times — https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/us-sports/savannah-bananas-are-they-a-real-team-what-league-do-they-play-in-how-much-do-players-get-paid-101751763458558.html
    Supports: Independent exhibition team, Banana Ball Championship League, rules, real-team framing