Savannah Bananas baseball club adds second game in July at Akron's Canal Park

Craig Webb, Akron Beacon Journal
·3 min read

They haven't sold a single ticket just yet.

But the Akron RubberDucks are so confident that they will sell out every single seat in Canal Park when the self-proclaimed “World Famous Baseball Circus” Savannah Bananas roll into town in July that they have added a second game.

Back in October, the RubberDucks announced that traveling ball club would play a single game at Canal Park at 7 p.m. July 3. A second game has now been added for 7 p.m. July 2.

More about the Savannah Bananas:Banana ball on its way to Akron: A circus with a strike zone and first baseman on stilts

The Savannah Bananas ballplayers are known for their showmanship along with a dancing first base coach and colorful guest players. Among the former guest players: 75-year-old pitcher Bill Lee, a former All-Star for the Boston Red Sox, who is transported to the diamond aboard a cart when he pitches in relief.

The entire team is popular on social media and sometimes breaks out in dance in the middle of the game.

From the pregame ceremonies to the final pitch, the Savannah Bananas will bring the fun to Canal Park next summer.
From the pregame ceremonies to the final pitch, the Savannah Bananas will bring the fun to Canal Park next summer.

How to get Savannah Banana tickets

The RubberDucks said tickets are not on sale for the game just yet and suggests visiting https://thesavannahbananas.com/tickets/ for updates on when they will be available.

The ball club also recomends visiting http://www.thesavannahbananas.com/tickets to sign up to be on a ticket pre-sale list.

Canal Park has a seating capacity of 7,630.

A pitcher on stilts is the norm when it comes to the Savannah Bananas, who will playing at Canal Park on July 2 and 3, 2023.
A pitcher on stilts is the norm when it comes to the Savannah Bananas, who will playing at Canal Park on July 2 and 3, 2023.

What makes a Savannah Bananas game different?

Aside from the on-field comic antics that includes dancers, performers, mascots and musicians, there's a baseball game thrown in the mix.

The game is played a bit different with no bunting and a two-hour time limit. In addition, foul balls caught by fans are called outs and batters can steal first base.

The Bananas will play against its sworn rival, the Party Animals, whose rosters includes independent professional players with some retired Major League players mixed in.

Why add a second Savannah Bananas game at Canal Park?

The RubberDucks said the response from baseball fans has been nonstop since the announcement in October.

Akron is one of 32 cities on the Savannah Bananas 2023 tour.

“We are excited to welcome the Savannah Bananas and the Banana Ball World Tour to Canal Park for two days,” RubberDucks General Manager and COO Jim Pfander said in a statement. “It is amazing to see the response and excitement from everyone in Akron and throughout Northeast Ohio to Banana Ball coming to Canal Park. We can’t wait to give fans two chances to enjoy Banana Ball in Downtown Akron.”

Akron was picked among 700 cities nominated to host the traveling team in 2023.

“Taking the Bananas to Akron and Canal Park has been something we’ve heard constantly from our fans over the years,” saidBananas Owner Jesse Cole in a statement. “We are fired up to bring an unforgettable show to them this summer.”

Craig Webb can be reached at cwebb@thebeaconjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Savannah Bananas adds second July game at Akron's Canal Park