Savannah Bananas to play exhibition game next summer at Akron's Canal Park

Craig Webb, Akron Beacon Journal
·2 min read

The hottest ticket in all of baseball is coming to Akron.

And no. There's not a major league logo on the hats of any of these players.

These baseball players really are in a league of their own.

The Savannah Bananas are bringing their off-beat on and off field antics to Akron's Canal Park.

The Savannah Bananas Premier Team's 75-year-old pitcher Bill Lee (29), a former All-Star for the Boston Red Sox, is transported from the bullpen to the diamond on a pedibike to start the fifth inning of a game against the Party Animals on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at Grayson Stadium.
The Savannah Bananas Premier Team's 75-year-old pitcher Bill Lee (29), a former All-Star for the Boston Red Sox, is transported from the bullpen to the diamond on a pedibike to start the fifth inning of a game against the Party Animals on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at Grayson Stadium.

The Akron RubberDucks have announced that the exhibition baseball club from Georgia will play a single game in the Rubber City on July 3.

The RubberDucks are on the road that night playing a game against the Erie Seawolves.

The Akron stop is part of the 2023 Banana Ball World Tour schedule that includes 70 games set to be played in 33 cities in 21 different states.

Savannah Bananas:Exhibition ball club announces full 2023 schedule

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.

Canal Park has a seating capacity of 7,630.

Who are the Savannah Bananas?

The Savannah Bananas ball club is known for its showmanship along with a dancing first-base coach and colorful players including 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 sometimes breaks out in dance in the middle of the game.

And players have been known to run off the field and into the stands to celebrate a spectacular play.

More:Former MLB players find 'pure joy' in return to baseball in Savannah with 'Banana Ball'

The Savannah Bananas Premier Team is a professional traveling team comprised of former college and professional players who play exhibitions of so-called Banana Ball against its designated rival, the Party Animals, who travels with the team.

Founded in 2016, the ballclub has gained a cult-like following of fans thanks to outlandish viral videos on the internet and draws large crowds to its home field, Grayson Stadium.

Since its inception, some one million guests have passed through the stadium's turnstile and has sold out every game since its first season. The wait list for tickets numbers more than 90,000.

Savannah Bananas dancing first base coach Maceo Harrison warms up with some flips before a recent home game at Grayson Stadium.
Savannah Bananas dancing first base coach Maceo Harrison warms up with some flips before a recent home game at Grayson Stadium.

The ball club is expected to bring some 100 players, coaches, staff and even a pep band along with a princess, the breakdancing first-base coach, an umpire who dances along with the Banana Nanas senior dance team and the Man Nanas Dad Bod Cheerleading Squad when it plays in Akron.

Its colorful owner, Jesse Cole, wears a bright yellow suit and also entertains fans.

This will be the team's only Ohio appearance.

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

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Savannah Bananas to play exhibition game at Akron's Canal Park in 2023