Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Sports Desk • Baseball

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.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

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.

What it is

Founded in 2016 by Jesse and Emily Cole, the Bananas originally competed in the Coastal Plain League as a collegiate summer team. In 2022, they left the league to focus entirely on Banana Ball, a fast-paced, entertainment-first format with rules like a two-hour time limit and no bunting.

Why it matters

The Bananas have become a cultural phenomenon in sports entertainment, selling out home games at Grayson Stadium and touring nationally. Their model blends baseball with live showmanship, drawing attention from Canadian audiences through social media and international coverage.

Key details

The team is owned by Fans First Entertainment, co-founded by Jesse and Emily Cole. Home games are at Grayson Stadium in Savannah, but many games are part of a national tour. The organization now fields multiple teams under the Banana Ball Championship League.

In short

  • Exhibition team playing Banana Ball, a modified fast-paced baseball format.
  • Founded in 2016, left the Coastal Plain League in 2022 to tour independently.
  • Home stadium is Grayson Stadium in Savannah, Georgia; games often sell out.
  • Owned by Jesse and Emily Cole through Fans First Entertainment.
Canadian angle

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.

Quick 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.
Who owns the Savannah Bananas?
The team was co-founded and is owned by Jesse Cole and Emily Cole through Fans First Entertainment.

Sources

  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