The Savannah Bananas baseball game in Jacksonville among big weekend events. But who are they?
What’s weird, yellow and coming to Jacksonville? That would be the Savannah Bananas this weekend.
A busy weekend in Jacksonville with the Gate River Run is going to be even more packed with the upcoming, sold-out Savannah Bananas baseball games Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 121 Financial Ballpark. Jacksonville will be the third stop and games 10-12 on the 2024 Banana Ball World Tour.
The Bananas play the Party Animals at each stop and are up 5-4 ahead of their first game in Jacksonville, according to a news release from the team. Here are a few things to know about the Bananas:
Who are the Savannah Bananas?
The Savannah Bananas are an exhibition baseball team founded in 2016. In 2018, they began testing “Banana Ball”, self-describing it as “the greatest show in sports,” with the first official game played in 2020. Banana Ball, the goal of which is to entertain fans rather than simply win the game, has its own set of 11 rules “designed to keep things interesting and competitive.”
Who will the Savannah Bananas play in Jacksonville?
The bananas will be up against the Party Animals, the team they also played and beat twice last year in Jacksonville.
Who are the Party Animals?
Established about one month after the first Banana Ball game, the Party Animals are the Savannah Bananas’ main rival.
What is a Savannah Bananas game like?
Fans can “expect to be entertained from the moment they walk through the gates of the stadium,” a spokesperson for the team said. Before the game begins, players, coaches, staff and characters will be singing and dancing. Two teams of players will compete non-stop for two hours and interact with the audience as they dance through the stadium, sign autographs and take pictures. After the game, fans can enjoy a “Plaza Party,” which gives them another chance to meet and interact with their favorite players, coaches and characters. Videos on YouTube and Instagram can help fans prepare for what hijinks they might see at a game.
When were the Savannah Bananas established?
The Bananas recently celebrated their eighth birthday in Savannah.
What’s new with the Savannah Bananas this year?
There is a new Banana Ball rule this year called “Golden Batter,” in which a team can send any hitter in the lineup to bat in any spot. Under this rule, the Golden Batter could potentially hit back-to-back in one inning.
How often do the Savannah Bananas come to Jacksonville?
The Bananas and Party Animals played each other twice in Jacksonville last year, with the Bananas winning both games by a score of 3-2.
How do I get tickets to the Jacksonville Savannah Bananas game?
Tickets for the Jacksonville games are sold out, a spokesperson said. The Bananas discourage fans from buying third-party tickets to avoid being scammed as well as price gouging. The only sure way to secure Banana Ball tickets is through the team’s lottery system, which opened in December.
How many people attend Savannah Bananas games?
Across all three games, 33,000 fans will be in attendance at 121 Financial Ballpark. The teams added an additional night from last year, meaning 11,000 more fans will be able to attend than in 2023.
Can I meet the Savannah Bananas?
Fans will have opportunities to interact with Savannah Bananas and Party Animals team members before and after the game. Additionally, players will “take over” a Jacksonville Dunkin' Donuts from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday at 7005 Gate Parkway. Players “will go behind the counter to serve orders, treat guests to giveaways and surprise lucky guests with tickets to Saturday's sold-out game.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Savannah Bananas, Party Animals set to play at 121 Financial Ballpark
