Jesse Cole looks back fondly on the early days of the Savannah Bananas, where the journey was nothing short of a roller coaster.
Starting in 2016, the team had a rocky debut season in the Coastal Plain League, struggling to sell a handful of tickets. With a leap of faith, he and his wife sold their house and drained their savings to bring this vision to life, even crashing on an air mattress initially. Fast forward to 2022, they ditched the traditional way of playing ball and launched “Banana Ball” to big applause from fans!
Plenty of critics shouted their doubts along the way.
“We were labeled doomed to fail. Others proclaimed no one would turn up since this wasn’t “real” baseball,” Cole shared candidly with ESPN. “The critiques came nonstop. However, my focus has always been on our fans who’ve embraced this wild ride.”
With more than 2 million fans cheering in the stands and 17 Major League Baseball stadiums sold out in 2025, the stage is now set for a remarkable leap forward.
Recently, on ESPN2, Cole revealed the Bananas are embarking on their inaugural Banana Ball Championship League — a jaw-dropping tour across **75 stadiums** in **45 states**, with the expectation of entertaining around **3.2 million fans** next year!
This ambitious tour includes matches at 14 MLB parks and 10 football stadiums, with two of them hosting over **100,000 fans** — Texas A&M’s Kyle Field (holding 102,000) and Neyland Stadium in Tennessee (featuring 101,000 seating!). They’re also lined up to play at Billings, Montana’s Dehler Park, which will set the record for the smallest gathering in Banana Ball’s history at a cozy yet thrilling 3,000.
Names like Saints’ Superdome and the Patriots’ Gillette Stadium will light up the roster, making this tour the most scaling yet!
Cole, an innovative mind behind Fans First Entertainment and proudly owning all league teams (Bananas, Firefighters, Party Animals, and Tailgaters), highlighted that these latest endeavors are designed to widen the game’s appeal.
“With all this excitement and demand, our goal is to hit the major league stadiums as well as the smaller venues. We want our fans to be able to reach a game in under six hours wherever they are!”
And that’s not all! The league also introduced two fresh teams: the **Loco Beach Coconuts** and the **Indianapolis Clowns**, reminiscent of the classic Negro Leagues’ spirit. Each squad will appoint a unique position called “prime-time coach,” assigned to big matches sole but with active social media and engagement work year-round, according to Cole.
Leading the Coconuts is none other than Shane Victorino, a two-time World Series champion with ties to Hawai’i. True to their beach vibe, this team plans on routing from coastal areas but will spread island joy across the nation. Victorino expressed excitement: “It’s about the heart and bringing that island spirit to the fun-loving environment of Banana Ball. That’s what we aim for — smiles, joy, and passion in every game!”
The Clowns are steeped in a legacy — they were the dazzle of the Negro Leagues, famed as the entertainment version akin to the Harlem Globetrotters, and the original team where baseball legend Hank Aaron signed his first contract. They started in 1935 and weren’t active after 1989.
Bioing up the rebound of the Clowns has taken serious dedication, Cole mentioned it’s the most significant team boost they’ve created.
During their 2022 match with Kansas City’s Monarchs, Cole toured the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and learned the fascinating history of the Clowns from its president, Bob Kendrick, who noted the similarities between them and the Bananas, praising the sheer enjoyment the Clowns delivered, considering them pioneers. Cole unlocked conversations with Kendrick regarding reviving this glorious team.
This partnership is all about remembering and revering the past in a splendid mix of entertainment with baseball, just like the Bananas are doing today.
Kendrick couldn’t be more thrilled: “The Indianapolis Clowns’ revival stands as an engaging tribute to the team steering the blend of baseball and entertainment!”
Ryan Howard, the star from the 2008 World Series and 2006 NL MVP, shines bright as the prime-time coach for the Clowns. He views this role as a privilege, thanking earlier stars like Hall of Famers Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, and Cool Papa Bell for paving the way.
Howard chimed in, “Banana Ball revolutionizes energy and strikes innovative preparation aiming for the charm of Negro Leagues, forged into the game right from the start!”
The two excellent new teams will play alongside their comrades under the Banana Ball Championship League, which kicks off this February. The league opens with 11 preseason clashes leading into the huge Banana Ball tournament for playoff placement. Following that, they gear up for 50 enthralling games through late April until September to identify the finalists for a nail-biting playoff showdown that culminates during the Banana Bowl on October 10, 2026.
Cole regarded the county’s championship league birth as a natural next move, touting it as a game-changer — promising fierce competition and non-stop entertainment.
Next year’s rule enhancements include a twist known as the equalizer. The visiting team can net an extra point in the ninth inning should they land more trick plays within the first eight frames, rocking up overall competition loads!
As the buzz for Banana Ball unravels globally, Cole indicated weekly calls pushing for international expansions. However, he is dedicated to saturating the U.S. first before going global. “There’s still a bounty of places here yet to tap into that are craving for Banana Ball!” he reported affirmatively.
And ticket prices? No hike in sight! There’s a trivia jackpot of 3 to 4 million fans expected to queue up within just 48 hours of the announcement, yet Cole stated bluntly: “No price increases; not a chance!”
Cole’s definitive vision spots Banana Ball crossing borders into worldwide play, pinning kids’ tournaments within various U.S. territories. “Sure, it’s a mission that needs relentless effort every year, but the path forward is clearer than ever!” Cole concluded passionately.
