Banana Ball 101: What You Need to Know About the Savannah Bananas Before They Come to Disneyland

Earlier this month, the wildly popular sports-adjacent phenomenon known as the Savannah Bananas announced that they will be visiting Disneyland on May 28th for a special one-day celebration. However, while the team has plenty of fans, there are probably some of you out there who are asking “what exactly is a Savannah Banana?" That’s the question we’re here to answer.

The Savannah Bananas were founded in 2016 and they played in a collegiate baseball league known as the Coastal Plain League. However, in 2018, things got interesting. The Bananas created “Banana Ball," an off-shoot to the game of baseball with a new set of seemingly ridiculous rules designed to make the game more fun for a broader audience. Since then, what is now known as the Banana Ball Championship League has taken off, adding three more teams and selling out stadiums around the country.

The team has often been compared to the Harlem Globetrotters, but that doesn’t quite do the game of Banana Ball justice. While the Globetrotters have found new ways to entertain fans for decades, they have done so within the confines of the game of basketball (with a few minor tweaks here and there). Banana Ball almost feels like a completely different game at times.

So what is Banana Ball? While the game is played like baseball, there is a set of 11 rules that changes it drastically and opens the game up to a whole new audience. And those 11 rules are:

1. New Scoring System

While in baseball, teams can score as many runs in one inning as possible and have them all count to their final score, Banana Ball teams simply win a point for scoring more runs in an inning. That is, except for the final inning, where every run counts.

What it means for the game: More close games and more excitement at the end.

2. Two-Hour Time Limit

This one is pretty straight forward. A new inning can’t begin after two hours.

What it means for the game: Shorter games. No more sitting in the stands for 4 hours.

3. No Stepping Out

Once a batter steps up to the plate, they can’t step away until that at-bat is finished. If they step out of the batter’s box, it’s a strike.

What it means for the game: Speeding up the action. Let’s go, we only have two hours to play!

4. No Bunting

Everyone loves the longball. So if a batter does anything but swing away, Banana Ball officials will not be happy. In fact, if a batter bunts, they are ejected from the game!

What it means for the game: Every batter is up there to swing the bat!

5. Stealing First Base

Rather than trying to get a hit, a batter can simply try and steal first base. This is only recommended if the ball gets by the catcher, but hey, you do you.

What it means for the game: Again, more excitement. Even a small mistake puts a runner on the bases, which typically means more scoring.

6. No Walks

That’s right, there are no walks in Banana Ball. Instead, if a pitcher throws ball four, the batter takes off running and can advance as many bases as they want, while the defense has to get every player to touch the ball before they can stop them. And yes, that includes the outfielders!

What it means for the game: A wild play you would never see in a normal game of baseball. However, these teams have gotten so good at executing this, the batter typically still only gets to first. Still, it’s a lot of fun to watch.

7. No Mound Visits

No coach or any other player can stop the action to talk to their pitcher on the mound. Keep the game moving!

What it means for the game: Again, more action. What did we say! We only have two hours!

8. The Fans Get to Play Too! (Sort of)

If a fan catches a foul ball, it’s an out! You read that right! If you are at a Banana Ball game, you could potentially have an impact on the game itself. Whether you choose to attempt to catch the ball is entirely up to you.

What it means for the game: Everyone at least has the possibility of participating in the game!

9. Tie Breaker

If the game is tied after two hours, a showdown tiebreaker begins. The first round consists of a pitcher, catcher and just one fielder against a batter. The batter must score, meaning they have to put the ball in play and round the bases for their team to get a point. If the game is still tied after this first round, the second round removes the fielder, pitting just the pitcher and catcher against the batter with the same rules in effect. And if a third round is needed, the pitcher, catcher and fielder take on a batter with the bases loaded. If it remains tied after that, the third round rules are repeated until a team has won. Of course, a hitter could always win the game at any time by hitting a home run over the wall.

What it means for the game: A wild finish if the game is tied after two hours!

10. Challenge Rule

Challenger rules are actually pretty similar to real baseball, with each team getting to challenge one call. However, in Banana Ball, the fans can challenge too! Before the game, one fan is chosen to represent the group and when they want to challenge a call, they will shoot off confetti and hold up the “Fan Challenge" sign.

What it means for the game: Another, truly wild way for fans to participate.

11. The Golden Batter

One time a game, a team can send any hitter in their lineup to bat. This means the best hitter can be up with the game on the line.

What it means for the game: More dramatic moments. Let’s be honest, with two outs in the 9th and the winning run on base, no one wants to see Oswald Peraza at the plate. They want to see Aaron Judge! (No offense, Oswald. We love you too.)

So there you have it. Those are the rules designed to make baseball a more exciting game for a broader audience. Now, throw in some amazing athletes and some next-level wacky antics and you’ve got a product that has people all over the country jumping on every opportunity to buy tickets.

So to answer that question of “what exactly is a Savannah Banana?," they are tremendous athletes who know how to entertain a crowd. And you can bet they are going to be a whole lot of fun when they visit Disneyland on May 28th!

If you are looking to go bananas at the Happiest Place on Earth, Laughing Place recommends Mouse Fan Travel for all your Disneyland Resort vacation needs.