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Banana Ball fans have been waiting for this season as two new teams joined the fray started by the Savannah Bananas 11 years ago.
The highly-anticipated Banana Ball Championship League season is underway as close to 70,000 fans took over Florida State University for a historic weekend as two teams made their debut, and the Savannah Bananas packed Doak S. Campbell Stadium with another sellout crowd.
The Indianapolis Clowns and the Loco Beach Coconuts are the new teams on the block — joining the league's cornerstone, the Savannah Bananas, along with the Party Animals, Firefighters and Texas Tailgaters for the 2026 season.
Here's a look back at last week in Banana Ball, and a view of what's coming up.
The Savannah Bananas and Firefighters are set to meet for a two-game series at Grayson Stadium On Saturday and Sunday, March 7 and 8, but before the action starts on the field, fans have a chance to meet some of their favorite players. The Pooler Dunkin’ restaurant at 1702 Pooler Parkway will host the fan meet-and-greet on Saturday, March 7th, from9 to 11 a.m. Players will serve orders and engage with fans for photos and autographs. Guests can also enjoy Dunkin’ merchandise and promotional gift card giveaways throughout the event.
The opening game saw the debut of the Loco Beach Coconuts as they took on The Firefighters at Dick Howser Stadium on Feb. 27. The Firefighters started red hot, blasting three home runs to take an early lead
The Firefighters carried a 4-3 lead into the final inning. But Loco Beach rallied in the Coconuts debut. Gideon Antle ripped the first home run for Loco Beach and then led a conga line as he headed home for the tying run. Pitcher CJ Williams took over and notched the save to secure the first win for the Coconuts.
Former two-time World Series champion Jackie Bradley, Jr., who won a Gold Glove with the Boston Red Sox in 2018, is the first former Major Leaguer to join the Banana Ball League on a full-time basis.
He flashed the leather that made him a fan favorite in Fenway Park as he made two memorable trick plays in the outfield for the Clowns, performed his first signature walk up, and drove in three runs on a pair of hits. Indianapolis earned the equalizer point for recording the most trick plays going into the 9th inning for a 3-2 lead.
The Clowns Jalen Vasquez entered the history books by recording the team’s first home run, a three-run shot in the second inning for Indianapolis.
The Bananas won their opener in Doak Campbell Stadium in front of a crowd of 60,000.
Kyle Jackson had a two-run blast to right field to tie the game, which featured Kelsie Whitmore, who made her season debut on the mound for the Bananas. She was recently the first overall pick in the inaugural Women's Pro Baseball League Draft, selected by San Francisco.
March 7-8 — vs. Firefighters at Grayson Stadium in Savannah
March 14-15 — vs. Party Animals at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans
Mar. 7-8 — vs. Indianapolis Clowns at Autozone Park in Memphis, TN
Mar. 13-14 — vs. Savannah Bananas at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans
Mar. 7-8 — vs. Savannah Bananas at Grayson Stadium in Savannah
Mar. 13-14 — vs. Loco Beach Coconuts at Dickey Stephens Park in Little Rock, ARK
Mar. 7-8 — vs. Loco Beach Coconuts at Riders Field in Frisco, TX
Mar. 14-15 — vs. Indianapolis Clowns at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, TX
Mar. 7-8 — vs. Party Animals at Autozone Park in Memphis, TN
Mar. 14-15 — vs. Texas Tailgaters at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, TX
Mar. 7-8 — vs. Texas Tailgaters at Riders Field in Frisco, TX
Mar. 14-15 — vs. Firefighters at Dickey-Stephens Park in Little Rock, AR
Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at [email protected]. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Banana Ball Bulletin — A look at what's going down in the Banana Ball League
Continue reading...
The highly-anticipated Banana Ball Championship League season is underway as close to 70,000 fans took over Florida State University for a historic weekend as two teams made their debut, and the Savannah Bananas packed Doak S. Campbell Stadium with another sellout crowd.
The Indianapolis Clowns and the Loco Beach Coconuts are the new teams on the block — joining the league's cornerstone, the Savannah Bananas, along with the Party Animals, Firefighters and Texas Tailgaters for the 2026 season.
Here's a look back at last week in Banana Ball, and a view of what's coming up.
Bananas and Firefighters Meet and Greet
The Savannah Bananas and Firefighters are set to meet for a two-game series at Grayson Stadium On Saturday and Sunday, March 7 and 8, but before the action starts on the field, fans have a chance to meet some of their favorite players. The Pooler Dunkin’ restaurant at 1702 Pooler Parkway will host the fan meet-and-greet on Saturday, March 7th, from9 to 11 a.m. Players will serve orders and engage with fans for photos and autographs. Guests can also enjoy Dunkin’ merchandise and promotional gift card giveaways throughout the event.
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Loco Beach Coconuts 6, Firefighters 4
The opening game saw the debut of the Loco Beach Coconuts as they took on The Firefighters at Dick Howser Stadium on Feb. 27. The Firefighters started red hot, blasting three home runs to take an early lead
The Firefighters carried a 4-3 lead into the final inning. But Loco Beach rallied in the Coconuts debut. Gideon Antle ripped the first home run for Loco Beach and then led a conga line as he headed home for the tying run. Pitcher CJ Williams took over and notched the save to secure the first win for the Coconuts.
You must be registered for see images attach
Indianapolis Clowns 4, Party Animals 2
Former two-time World Series champion Jackie Bradley, Jr., who won a Gold Glove with the Boston Red Sox in 2018, is the first former Major Leaguer to join the Banana Ball League on a full-time basis.
He flashed the leather that made him a fan favorite in Fenway Park as he made two memorable trick plays in the outfield for the Clowns, performed his first signature walk up, and drove in three runs on a pair of hits. Indianapolis earned the equalizer point for recording the most trick plays going into the 9th inning for a 3-2 lead.
The Clowns Jalen Vasquez entered the history books by recording the team’s first home run, a three-run shot in the second inning for Indianapolis.
You must be registered for see images
Savannah Bananas 5, Texas Tailgaters 3
The Bananas won their opener in Doak Campbell Stadium in front of a crowd of 60,000.
Kyle Jackson had a two-run blast to right field to tie the game, which featured Kelsie Whitmore, who made her season debut on the mound for the Bananas. She was recently the first overall pick in the inaugural Women's Pro Baseball League Draft, selected by San Francisco.
This week's schedule
Savannah Bananas
March 7-8 — vs. Firefighters at Grayson Stadium in Savannah
March 14-15 — vs. Party Animals at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans
Party Animals
Mar. 7-8 — vs. Indianapolis Clowns at Autozone Park in Memphis, TN
Mar. 13-14 — vs. Savannah Bananas at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans
You must be registered for see images attach
Firefighters
Mar. 7-8 — vs. Savannah Bananas at Grayson Stadium in Savannah
Mar. 13-14 — vs. Loco Beach Coconuts at Dickey Stephens Park in Little Rock, ARK
Texas Tailgaters
Mar. 7-8 — vs. Loco Beach Coconuts at Riders Field in Frisco, TX
Mar. 14-15 — vs. Indianapolis Clowns at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, TX
Indianapolis Clowns
Mar. 7-8 — vs. Party Animals at Autozone Park in Memphis, TN
Mar. 14-15 — vs. Texas Tailgaters at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, TX
Loco Beach Coconuts
Mar. 7-8 — vs. Texas Tailgaters at Riders Field in Frisco, TX
Mar. 14-15 — vs. Firefighters at Dickey-Stephens Park in Little Rock, AR
Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at [email protected]. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Banana Ball Bulletin — A look at what's going down in the Banana Ball League
Continue reading...
