Sky-high prices: Analyzing why Savannah Bananas tickets surpass the value of a Dodgers-Yankees replay encounter
In the heart of baseball country, the highly anticipated rematch between the Dodgers and Yankees takes a backseat to the spectacle that is the Savannah Bananas. This quirkyball team, hailing from just down the 5 Freeway in Anaheim, has become the hottest ticket in baseball.
With roots in a small-time collegiate summer team, the Bananas have morphed into a tour de force, forever changing the game of baseball. Tickets for their games are gold, usually in a lottery reserved months in advance, or expensively available on the resale market.
What's the draw?
Welcome to Banana Ball, a carnival-inspired take on baseball that combines the pageantry of early 20th-century carnivals with the athletic flair of the Harlem Globetrotters, all set against a 21st-century TikTok reel. Think Ringling Brothers Circus meets modern showmanship.
Jesse Cole, the Juggling Pitcher Man in a top hat, is the mastermind behind this unusual spectacle. He believes in making baseball fun for everyone, drawing inspiration from Walt Disney's blueprint – not just to entertain but to make the audience feel.
From the moment the gates open to the last fan leaving at night, the energy never stops. The atmosphere is charged with joy, fun, dancing, and celebrating, all designed to leave a lasting impression on the fans.
Fans start arriving as early as 11 a.m., clamoring for Banana-themed merchandise, eager to meet their favorite ballplayers. The connections, moments, and memories are what the Bananas sell, not just tickets.
What's more, the Bananas have captured the attention of Major League Baseball with their innovative approach. They've attracted millions of followers on TikTok and filled stadiums with more than three million people on the waitlist for their ticket lottery.
Banana Ball may be polarizing, but it works. The numbers don't lie – the Bananas drew one million fans last season, and this year, that number is expected to double. Every game since February has sold out, and every date in June and July is sold out too.
Despite the growing success, Banana Ball remains outlandish compared to the big leagues. Yet, behind the flaming baseballs, rump-shaking umps, and dress rehearsals, the roster is still made up of ballplayers, many with unfulfilled MLB dreams, who have found a second life through Banana Ball.
In a world where baseball purists may scoff, Jesse Cole says, "We're not for them." For those who want to have fun, not take themselves too seriously, and see something they've never seen before, the Bananas have built something special.
[1] Enrichment Data: The Savannah Bananas play Banana Ball, a modified version of baseball with unique rules aimed at enhancing fan engagement and speeding up the game. These rules include no bunting, no mound visits, walks as sprints, and fan participation in catching foul balls. The team has gained popularity by leveraging social media platforms and adapting to pandemic challenges.[2] Enrichment Data: In Banana Ball, the game is limited to two hours, batters cannot step out of the batter's box, and stolen bases are common. The Golden Batter rule allows teams to send their best hitter to the plate at any point in the game.[3] Enrichment Data: The Challenge Rule and The Golden Batter rule add strategic and exciting elements to Banana Ball. The Challenge Rule allows batters to challenge an umpire's call for a strike or ball. The Golden Batter rule allows teams to choose a designated hitter from a pool of their best hitters at any point during the game.
- Despite the growing popularity of the Dodgers and Yankees match, the quirky Banana Ball team from Anaheim, California, has become a hotter ticket, particularly because of the carnival atmosphere of their games.
- Fans of the Savannah Bananas are drawn to the unique take on baseball, resembling a fusion of Ringling Brothers Circus and modern showmanship, offering a 21st-century TikTok-worthy experience.
- In comparison to traditional baseball leagues, the Bananas, despite their outrageous style, have an impressive roster featuring players with dreams of playing in the Major League Baseball, who found a second life through Banana Ball.
- The Savannah Bananas are not only entertaining fans with flaming baseballs, rump-shaking umps, and other outlandish elements, but they are also pioneering in their modified rules and innovative gameplay, aimed at enhancing fan interaction and speeding up the game.
