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Get ready because Banana Ball is coming to the First State.
\n
For the first time, two of Jesse Cole's Savannah Bananas franchise will take the field in Delaware to the delight of fans.
\n
Now it its 11th season, there are six teams competing in the Banana Ball League.
\n
In addition to the Banana squad whose home base remains at Savannah's Grayson Stadium, there are two new teams in the mix with the Indianapolis Clowns and the Loco Beach Coconuts joining the league that includes the Party Animals, Texas Tailgaters and the Firefighters.
\n
The teams will be touring America in a journey that will visit 75 stadiums in 45 states with 190 games on the docket as fans from across the country are clamoring to get their chance to see a Banana Ball game in person.
\n
This month, one of the newest teams – the Loco Beach Coconuts – will take on the Texas Tailgaters in Delaware.
\n
Like the franchise itself, the Banana Ball format was the creation of Cole, working with his top brass. He wanted a way to speed up the game and make it more interesting to the casual fan – and his plan has worked to perfection.
\n
Here's a look at the unique rules of Banana Ball.
\n
Rule No. 1 of Banana Ball deals with how to score in games. Each inning is worth one point, and the team that gets the most runs in an inning earns a point for that inning, with the exception being the final inning – where every run counts.
\n
Rule No. 2 institutes a two-hour time limit for each game. No new inning can start after the game has reached two hours in length.
\n
Rule No. 3 states that the batter cannot step out of the batter's box once he steps into his spot. If the hitter leaves the batter's box, it is ruled a strike.
\n
Rule No. 4 is that there is no bunting allowed. As the Banana Ball rules state on the team's website: "Bunting sucks. If a hitter bunts, they are ejected from the game."
\n
\n
Rule No. 5 is another spin off from the rules of baseball as batters are allowed to steal first base. This scenario can happen any time in an at-bat when there is a wild pitch or passed ball.
\n
Rule No. 6 is that there are no walks allowed. When a pitcher throws a fourth ball, it becomes a sprint with the batter taking off to circle the bases while every defensive player on the field (except the pitcher and catcher) must touch the ball before it becomes live. The hitter can advance to as many bases as they want.
\n
Rule No. 7 is that there are no mound visits allowed of any kind, from any player on the field or any coach.
\n
Rule No. 8 is a fan favorite as they can become a star in a Banana Ball game there are attending – if a fan catches a foul ball, it's an out.
\n
\n
Rule No. 9 is called the "Showdown Tiebreaker." From the Bananas website:
\n
In each Showdown, the hitter must score. If they score, it’s worth one point. If they get out, it’s worth no points and it’s called a Showdown Shutdown.
\n
ROUND 1: Pitcher, catcher and one fielder vs. one hitter.ROUND 2: Pitcher and catcher vs. one hitter.ROUND 3: Pitcher, catcher and one fielder vs. one hitter with bases loaded.
\n
In this Final Showdown, every run counts as a point. If no team has won after three Showdowns, they will continue with the bases loaded and one fielder until one team has won.
\n
If at any point a homerun is hit over the outfield wall, it’s a walkoff win and the game is over.
\n
Rule No. 10 is the Banana Ball Challenge Rule. Each team has one challenge, and the coach must throw an indicator on the field before the next pitch to initiate it.
\n
The challenge is looked at by the broadcast and replayed to the Umpire Field Chief, who makes the final call. If a team wins the challenge, they retain a challenge for later in the game. If the call is upheld or the challenge is inconclusive, they will lose their ability to challenge for the rest of the game.
\n
Challenges can be made in three categories: Fair and foul ball calls; force and tag out calls and catches made in the infield and outfield.
\n
Fans are also allowed to make a "Fan Challenge" once per game. Before the game, a fan is selected to represent the crowd. The fan representative shoots off confetti and holds up the “Fan Challenge” sign to make it official and then the process begins.
\n
Rule No. 11 is the "Golden Batter Rule" which was put in place to allowed teams to get their best hitter to bat at any time in the game.
\n
Examples from the Bananas Team Website:
\n
Due up in the lineup are hitters 6, 7 and 8 and 6 and 7 make the first two outs. The team then uses the Golden Batter Rule to hit their No. 3 hitter in the 8-hole. The No. 3 hitter reaches base. The 8-hole would stay in the game, but he would not hit. The next hitter is the 9-hole. If the No. 3 hitter was on base and his spot in the lineup came to bat, then the No. 8 hitter would become the pinch runner. Also, if eligible, the Designated Pinch Runner could run. The Golden Batter could technically hit back-to-back in one inning if the team chose to do so.
\n
Banana Ball is coming to Wilmington on Aug. 13-15 at Frawley Stadium as the Loco Beach Coconuts face the Texas Tailgaters.
\n
Tickets for the game are sold out. The Bananas held a ticket lottery for fans, but the lottery ended in October 2025.
\n
However, no event is truly ever sold out. Here's a look at how to get tickets to Banana Ball in Wilmington.
\n
If you are looking for Banana Ball tickets, click on the button below:
\n
Purchase Savannah Banana tickets here
\n
The Savannah Bananas warn fans to be careful when purchasing tickets from a third-party site. People should make sure they are purchasing authentic tickets that will be accepted at the event.
\n
The tickets are scarce and much more expensive on third-party sites. Here's a look at the prices for a single ticket on StubHub as of July 28:
\n
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: What are the rules of Banana Ball? What to know as game comes to Delaware
Continue reading...
\n
For the first time, two of Jesse Cole's Savannah Bananas franchise will take the field in Delaware to the delight of fans.
\n
Now it its 11th season, there are six teams competing in the Banana Ball League.
\n
Banana Ball teams
\nIn addition to the Banana squad whose home base remains at Savannah's Grayson Stadium, there are two new teams in the mix with the Indianapolis Clowns and the Loco Beach Coconuts joining the league that includes the Party Animals, Texas Tailgaters and the Firefighters.
\n
Savannah Bananas schedule
\nThe teams will be touring America in a journey that will visit 75 stadiums in 45 states with 190 games on the docket as fans from across the country are clamoring to get their chance to see a Banana Ball game in person.
\n
This month, one of the newest teams – the Loco Beach Coconuts – will take on the Texas Tailgaters in Delaware.
\n
Like the franchise itself, the Banana Ball format was the creation of Cole, working with his top brass. He wanted a way to speed up the game and make it more interesting to the casual fan – and his plan has worked to perfection.
\n
Here's a look at the unique rules of Banana Ball.
\n
How does Banana Ball work?
\nRule No. 1 of Banana Ball deals with how to score in games. Each inning is worth one point, and the team that gets the most runs in an inning earns a point for that inning, with the exception being the final inning – where every run counts.
\n
Rule No. 2 institutes a two-hour time limit for each game. No new inning can start after the game has reached two hours in length.
\n
Rule No. 3 states that the batter cannot step out of the batter's box once he steps into his spot. If the hitter leaves the batter's box, it is ruled a strike.
\n
Rule No. 4 is that there is no bunting allowed. As the Banana Ball rules state on the team's website: "Bunting sucks. If a hitter bunts, they are ejected from the game."
\n
You must be registered for see images
\n
Rule No. 5 is another spin off from the rules of baseball as batters are allowed to steal first base. This scenario can happen any time in an at-bat when there is a wild pitch or passed ball.
\n
Rule No. 6 is that there are no walks allowed. When a pitcher throws a fourth ball, it becomes a sprint with the batter taking off to circle the bases while every defensive player on the field (except the pitcher and catcher) must touch the ball before it becomes live. The hitter can advance to as many bases as they want.
\n
Rule No. 7 is that there are no mound visits allowed of any kind, from any player on the field or any coach.
\n
Rule No. 8 is a fan favorite as they can become a star in a Banana Ball game there are attending – if a fan catches a foul ball, it's an out.
\n
You must be registered for see images
\n
Rule No. 9 is called the "Showdown Tiebreaker." From the Bananas website:
\n
In each Showdown, the hitter must score. If they score, it’s worth one point. If they get out, it’s worth no points and it’s called a Showdown Shutdown.
\n
ROUND 1: Pitcher, catcher and one fielder vs. one hitter.ROUND 2: Pitcher and catcher vs. one hitter.ROUND 3: Pitcher, catcher and one fielder vs. one hitter with bases loaded.
\n
In this Final Showdown, every run counts as a point. If no team has won after three Showdowns, they will continue with the bases loaded and one fielder until one team has won.
\n
If at any point a homerun is hit over the outfield wall, it’s a walkoff win and the game is over.
\n
Rule No. 10 is the Banana Ball Challenge Rule. Each team has one challenge, and the coach must throw an indicator on the field before the next pitch to initiate it.
\n
The challenge is looked at by the broadcast and replayed to the Umpire Field Chief, who makes the final call. If a team wins the challenge, they retain a challenge for later in the game. If the call is upheld or the challenge is inconclusive, they will lose their ability to challenge for the rest of the game.
\n
Challenges can be made in three categories: Fair and foul ball calls; force and tag out calls and catches made in the infield and outfield.
\n
Fans are also allowed to make a "Fan Challenge" once per game. Before the game, a fan is selected to represent the crowd. The fan representative shoots off confetti and holds up the “Fan Challenge” sign to make it official and then the process begins.
\n
Rule No. 11 is the "Golden Batter Rule" which was put in place to allowed teams to get their best hitter to bat at any time in the game.
\n
Examples from the Bananas Team Website:
\n
Due up in the lineup are hitters 6, 7 and 8 and 6 and 7 make the first two outs. The team then uses the Golden Batter Rule to hit their No. 3 hitter in the 8-hole. The No. 3 hitter reaches base. The 8-hole would stay in the game, but he would not hit. The next hitter is the 9-hole. If the No. 3 hitter was on base and his spot in the lineup came to bat, then the No. 8 hitter would become the pinch runner. Also, if eligible, the Designated Pinch Runner could run. The Golden Batter could technically hit back-to-back in one inning if the team chose to do so.
\n
When is Banana Ball coming to Delaware?
\nBanana Ball is coming to Wilmington on Aug. 13-15 at Frawley Stadium as the Loco Beach Coconuts face the Texas Tailgaters.
\n
How to get Banana Ball tickets
\nTickets for the game are sold out. The Bananas held a ticket lottery for fans, but the lottery ended in October 2025.
\n
However, no event is truly ever sold out. Here's a look at how to get tickets to Banana Ball in Wilmington.
\n
If you are looking for Banana Ball tickets, click on the button below:
\n
Purchase Savannah Banana tickets here
\n
The Savannah Bananas warn fans to be careful when purchasing tickets from a third-party site. People should make sure they are purchasing authentic tickets that will be accepted at the event.
\n
How much do Banana Ball tickets cost for Wilmington?
\nThe tickets are scarce and much more expensive on third-party sites. Here's a look at the prices for a single ticket on StubHub as of July 28:
\n
- Thursday, Aug. 13: Prices range from $239 (in Section A) to $1,458 (Section H, Row 8).
- Friday, Aug. 14: Prices range from $203 (Section D) to $1,458 (Section H, Row 8).
- Saturday, Aug. 15: Prices range from $283 (General Admission) to $1,414 (Section H, Row 8).
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: What are the rules of Banana Ball? What to know as game comes to Delaware
Continue reading...
