Banana Ball ready for stop in El Paso

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El Paso, Texas (KTSM) – Banana ball isn’t baseball, it’s its own sport and form of entertainment in and of itself.

Exclusively known as Banana Ball – its gaining tremendous attention nation wide for its trick plays, trending skits and competitive matchups.

It provides a fast paced environment with a focus on fan engagement.

“It’s unmatched in any other sport, I believe,” said Texas Tailgaters head coach, Joe Mikulik. “I think it’s something that’s special. Being in professional baseball for so long, we would play our games and just focus on just baseball, which is their job and they’re trying to get to the big leagues. However, our job [Banana Ball] is more than just baseball. Our job is to entertain but our job is to impact people.”

The Texas Tailgaters and the Firefighters will go head to head in a two-day show at Southwest University Park this Friday and Saturday – with both completely sold out.

So what is Banana Ball? There are 11 rules:

1. Win the inning by scoring the most wins which earns that team one points. In an event of a tie, trick play points come into account.
2. A two our time limit is placed on the game to ensure its fast paced and action packed
3. No stepping out of the batters box, if done – results in a strike
4. No bunting, bunts result in being tossed out of the game
5. Batters can steal first base
6. No walks, just sprints on ball four
7. No mound visits are allowed
8. Foul balls caught by fans is ruled an out
9. Show downs consist of one hitter, one pitcher and one fielder – that’s it
10. Banana Ball challenge rules gives not only coaches but fans the ability to challenge a call
11. The Golden Batter rule allows one particular player to bat at any time despite the lineup

“Get ready, El Paso, because it’s fast, it’s loud and it’s so entertaining and so much fun,” said Mikulik. “I don’t think anyone ever leaves saying, ‘Man, my team lost or my I can’t believe they missed that trick play.’ They’re going to be talking about the entertainment they’re going to be talking about the environment and the culture.”

An unwritten rule, perhaps rule 12, is fans first. Players and coaches will interact with fans before, during and after the games. Events are put on prior to the show as well from parades, to fanfests to autograph opportunities. A former major league player and coach himself – Mikulik says this kind of fan base and environment is something truly special.

“Tt makes me emotional,” said Mikulik. “We’ll have people that are coming that are ill, coming out that are in wheelchairs and our guys flock to them and to make them feel like they’re part of the show. And that warms my heart. I’m 62 years old, I coach third base in cowboy hat and boots. I’m having fun and I’m moving around and I’m dancing throughout the whole game. And people are like, ‘Wow, this is cool.’ And you know what? It gives other people hope. Maybe it gives them hope to get outside of their shell, because I think sometimes we hide behind the curtain and we don’t want to put ourselves out there. This this career of mine has led myself to something very special.”

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