Fans first: How Banana Ball always caters to their supporters
How Banana Ball always caters to their supporters
The Firefighters and Texas Tailgaters made their way to Syracuse for a series that left the sold-out crowds smiling.
A sold-out NBT Bank Stadium found itself filled with music, laughter, and a lot of flames on Friday as they welcomed in the fans of Banana Ball.
The sport has completely taken off in the past few years, behind Banana Ball owner Jesse Cole focusing on Banana Ball’s fan-first objective.
The Firefighters and Texas Tailgaiters, two of the league’s squads, did not disappoint in their first of two games in Syracuse.
Fans were constantly involved, getting opportunities to catch a Hershey’s Kiss, baseballs, t-shirts and more.
One fan rocking a Party Animals jersey, which is one of the league’s original two Banana Ball teams, was committed to attending Friday’s event.
“It took about three and a half hours to crash somebody’s vacation, and then another hour to here.” she said about how far she came to see Banana Ball.
It’s these sorts of fans that really make the players love baseball in a whole new light.
“Out here in Banana Ball everything is external, we’re doing everything for the fan,” said Texas Tailgaters pitcher Chris Clarke. “It’s really special.”
It can often be a tough line for athletes, who playing in Banana Ball, attempt to find the perfect balance between winning and keeping the fans happy.
This is the first season in Banana Ball with six teams, incorporating a more extensive playoff push and chance for each team to try and win a title.
These new rules have Kyle Martin licking his chops with his playoff-bound Tailgaters, who holds the record for most home runs in a single Banana Ball season.
“It’s great to have the record, but as long as we win that matters more to me,” said Martin.
The game itself included fans of all ages, from a man breakdancing in his 70s to kids under 10 being included in pregame festivities.
The league provides rules to allow fans more access, including their rule that a fan-caught foul ball is an out.
Firefighters outfielder Noah Bridges had the unfortunate trip back to the dugout at the expense of that rule, but he has nothing but praise for the guy who made the play.
“Not that I’m pumped game-wise, but I’m pumped for that fan,” said Bridges via the team’s broadcast. “This is Banana Ball, it’s not baseball. That’s one of my favorite rules.”
Minor details like that set apart Banana Ball from other leagues, exemplifying that they stand by their promise of “Fans First. Entertain Always.”
The sport mesmerizes all in attendance, even if you’re working it.
That includes The Firefighters’ Play-By-Play announcer Zach Staton, who graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse Graduate Program in 2018.
“The growth of this from a concept to a whole championship league,” said Staton about how far the league has come. “It’s so much fun to be a part of.”
That emphasis of fun doesn’t come easy though.
With players, staff and coaches all with different schedules, it makes it difficult for some of them to make it in time for the festivities.
Ray Jaz, a member of The Firefighters Calendar Crew, arrived after the game had already begun.
“I flew in from LA two days ago, got stuck in Charlotte, but we made it here,” said Jaz on the difficult journey to the 315. “For the fans, for the people, for Banana Ball, cause we love it.”
The players and staff can be found outside the stadium both pre and post game in a massive meet-and-greet, allowing fans to meet players they’ve been waiting to see.
For these two teams, the journey beyond Syracuse continues as they head to their next stops on their 2026 World Tour. But for the sold-out crowds that attended both events at NBT Bank Stadium, memories were created that are sure to last a lifetime.
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