Hundreds of youth baseball players visit Savannah to learn Banana Ball
Savannah Bananas players and coaches teach Banana Ball to the next generation of players during Youth Banana Ball Tournament in Savannah.
The Savannah Bananas Youth Banana Ball Tournament, held in Savannah, Georgia, attracted 770 young players from across the U.S. and Canada.Banana Ball emphasizes fun, entertainment, and trick plays over traditional competitive baseball.
Boas, tutus, and way-oversized hats are not typical uniforms for players during a youth baseball tournament, but this isn’t your daddy’s little league. It’s Banana Ball.
On Wednesday evening, 770 youth baseball players gathered on the fields at the Allen E. Paulson Complex, 171 Skidaway Road, where they were given a crash course in Banana Ball by some of their heroes.
“We got players from all four teams helping with this,” said Savannah Bananas pitcher Kyle Luigs. “Just kind of trying to expose them to everything that is Banana Ball, you know? Trick plays, getting the ball four defense down, practicing any celebrations that they’re going to be doing this weekend, and learning from the guys that do it.”
Wednesday marked the start of the second Savannah Bananas Youth Banana Ball Tournament and the first time it was hosted here in Savannah. Players and their families traveled from 35 different states and Canada to take part in the five-day event. The youth tournament is another evolution in the world of Banana Ball, from the first official game that was played in 2020 to a Worldwide tour that this year includes four teams playing in 18 Major League stadiums and three football stadiums.
“All of our shows throughout the country, we see that there’s travel ball kids and youth baseball players that are showing up with their uniforms on, and they’re just fired up to be like our players to become the next banana ball player” said Bananas Coach Adam Virant. “It’s really amazing to see smiles on their faces and kids dressed up in crazy costumes, just like our players.”
In some of the first game action on Thursday morning, 11-year-old pitcher Delsin Halla from St. Petersburg, Fla., was on the mound for the Banana Splitters. His hugely oversized yellow hat shaded his face as he pitched in his first-ever Banana Ball game. “It’s not that competitive like other U-Trip (USSSA) baseball leagues. But it’s a lot of fun to be out here,” Hall said.
As for the hat, “I got, like, 17. That hat looks good, like, it’s fun wearing it, but it gets a little annoying.”
On each of the five fields, players on teams named the Bad News Bananas, Peel Team Six, Drip ‘n’ Split, and Lil’ Peelers were seen dancing on the field, pogo stick hopping to the plate, and enjoying every second with their new teammates.
That excitement was on full display after the Bat Breakers pulled out a come-from-behind win during a showdown.
“We were down 8-1… there’s so much fight in these kids,” said Party Animal pitcher Dalton Ponce. “The fact that I never had this as a kid just really shows how grateful I am to be coaching these kids that have this opportunity and to have so much fun. You know, they’re not just an ERA, they’re not just a batting average. These guys are having fun and they’re entertaining, and it means so much that I’m able to coach these kids, for sure.”
Richard Burkhart is the visual journalist for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at RBBurkhart@gannett.com.