There has been a baseball show going on at Nationals Park these last couple nights, and no it is not the last place Washington Nationals. The viral Savannah Bananas were in town this weekend to the delight of baseball fans in the area.
The Bananas are a fascinating combination of baseball, broadway and the Harlem Globetrotters. They are a barnstorming bunch who’s goal is to make baseball fun. Their gimmick has been wildly successful, with the Bananas selling out stadiums in a way most teams can’t manage.
They did just that these last couple nights in DC. The Bananas pulled off their flicks and tricks in front of a packed house. While it is a gimmick, there could be something MLB marketing teams can learn from them.
First off, it is well produced and gives the fans a good time. Often, MLB games can be a bit of a drag. That will always exist to a certain degree due to the nature of the sport, but I think we can make the production value of these games better.
One thing I liked and I think the Nats could do more of is reconnect with their past. Last night, the Bananas brought out Wilson Ramos as a guest, even letting the great Nats catcher pinch hit.
While obviously the likes of Chad Cordero shouldn’t get the ball and pitch, even if he might be currently better than some of our bullpen arms, reconnecting with our history would be fun. The Nats did that earlier this year, bringing in that 2005 team, but I think we could get more of that.
Also, a lot of the production at Nats park has remained the same for years. How about we spice up the Presidents Race or do something fun and different during the 7th Inning Stretch.
The Bananas have captured the hearts and minds of a generation that wants fun and wants it quickly. With dance moves and pitchers on stilts, the Bananas bring that viral fun so many people crave.
While there will always be an appetite for Major League Baseball, especially when the local team is good, we can learn a thing or two from the Bananas. The pure production value of baseball games can often be stale and we can forget about the fans.
At the end of the day, baseball is for the fans. This is a simple and obvious fact, but one that often seems to get lost in a world of analytics and big money. The fans go to the ballpark for a good time. There is a reason the Bananas always sell out stadiums, they give fans a good time.
Right now, Nationals games are not always a good time. It is because giving fans a good product they can be proud of does not seem to be the top priority for the Washington Nationals at the moment. If you give fans a good experience, they will come. The Savannah Bananas show that.