Banana Ball (1 Viewer)

[BassNBrew]

I had never heard of this until it came across my Youtube feed. Looks like they played a game at Clemson in front of 80k+.

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Baseballs version of the Globetrotters would be my best description.

 

[Joe Schmo]

I had never heard of this until it came across my Youtube feed. Looks like they played a game at Clemson in front of 80k+.

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Baseballs version of the Globetrotters would be my best description.

They've been a thing a for a few years and are barn storming across the country. They play in DC in a couple of weeks and tickets ain't cheap. Would love to see the show some time. They had Ham from Sandlot on the team the other day.

 

[Joe Schmo]

Looks like they're playing in Charlotte tomorrow and Saturday.

 

[tjford]

One thing that I always found amusing with those games was that a foul ball catch made by a fan is counted as an out.

There was a fan that made a catch to win the game earlier this year.

 

[heckmanm]

If you have Disney+ (or maybe ESPN+ also), they live-streamed one of the games last weekend.

Saw something where their tickets in Anaheim were going for $100 more than for the Angels/Yankees game around the same time.

 

[heckmanm]

One thing that I always found amusing with those games was that a foul ball catch made by a fan is counted as an out.

There was a fan that made a catch to win the game earlier this year.

But it has to be a clean catch. Any bobble and it doesn't count.

 

[Capella]

Went to one this year at RayJay in Tampa. 70,000 there, blew me away. It’s not for me but people liked it and my kid loved it. It just felt like carnies meet wwf meet the worst baseball players you’ve ever seen doing tricks and not even the kind of tricks most people on Dale Mabry are willing to pay for.

 

[BassNBrew]

Went to one this year at RayJay in Tampa. 70,000 there, blew me away. It’s not for me but people liked it and my kid loved it. It just felt like carnies meet wwf meet the worst baseball players you’ve ever seen doing tricks and not even the kind of tricks most people on Dale Mabry are willing to pay for.

When I was a kid I thought the Globetrotters were the best thing ever and blew away NBA. Something to be said for finding a good entertainment niche.

 

[Gally]

meet the worst baseball players you’ve ever seen

While they may not be able to hit a major league fastball or curve (which is probably why they are playing for the bananas) they are far from the worst baseball players you have ever seen. Some of the things they do are pretty incredible. What they do takes a lot of skill.

 

[tjford]

Went to one this year at RayJay in Tampa. 70,000 there, blew me away. It’s not for me but people liked it and my kid loved it. It just felt like carnies meet wwf meet the worst baseball players you’ve ever seen doing tricks and not even the kind of tricks most people on Dale Mabry are willing to pay for.

When the stilts guy starts pitching, I get the carny vibe a bit but backflip catches and between-the-legs bouncing the ball after fielding a ground ball and still getting the out is much more globetrotters to me.

Banana ball pitchers are still touching 90s and many of those players are high A - AAA skill.

 

[belljr]

Many of them played minor league ball

 

[belljr]

There is a great documentary bananaland on Disney/Hulu

Not my thing but they are very fan friendly

 

[Capella]

Banana ball pitchers are still touching 90s and many of those players are high A - AAA skill.

See I was googling them during the game and they all seemed like they topped out at colleges I never heard of and/or Indy ball. There was one guy from fsu. Not knocking them! They’re very talented, I just don’t usually go see that kind of ball. But it’s definitely fun for everybody, I didn’t loathe it just wouldn’t go back.

 

[Gally]

They’re very talented,

worst baseball players you’ve ever seen

seems contradictory

 

[zamboni]

Have seen a few games on TV and it looks like a fun experience. Wouldn't want to pay the coin they go for though, and it's probably not the best experience unless you're close to the field.

 

[heckmanm]

Many of them played minor league ball

Troy Glaus pinch hit for the Bananas in the game we watched. Don't think I recognized any other names.

 

[heckmanm]

Have seen a few games on TV and it looks like a fun experience. Wouldn't want to pay the coin they go for though, and it's probably not the best experience unless you're close to the field.

Yeah with you on the $$$. Made for an OK watch on TV, but I'm not going to be a regular viewer.

 

[Don Quixote]

I had never heard of this until it came across my Youtube feed. Looks like they played a game at Clemson in front of 80k+.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

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Here are the rules https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfGXWBOd-Dg

Baseballs version of the Globetrotters would be my best description.

They've been a thing a for a few years and are barn storming across the country. They play in DC in a couple of weeks and tickets ain't cheap. Would love to see the show some time. They had Ham from Sandlot on the team the other day.

I got tickets for them in DC through the lottery. Not too expensive to buy through that, but, resale market is pretty pricey if could not get through the lottery. Looking forward to it.

 

[Capella]

They’re very talented,

worst baseball players you’ve ever seen

seems contradictory

lol I think you’re just being difficult here. Obviously they are better than my 7 year old son and they are talented to make it to this level but they are the worst baseball players I’ve ever paid to see.

 

[belljr]

Many of them played minor league ball

Troy Glaus pinch hit for the Bananas in the game we watched. Don't think I recognized any other names.

No when I said playing the minor leagues what I meant was a lot of them were like drafted and played like Rookie Ball and or low single a just didn't make it. They bring in known guys at each stop

 

[heckmanm]

Many of them played minor league ball

Troy Glaus pinch hit for the Bananas in the game we watched. Don't think I recognized any other names.

No when I said playing the minor leagues what I meant was a lot of them were like drafted and played like Rookie Ball and or low single a just didn't make it. They bring in known guys at each stop

Ah, ok. So Glaus was just added because they were in Anaheim, and isn't a regular bench guy.

 

[B Maverick]

Many of them played minor league ball

Troy Glaus pinch hit for the Bananas in the game we watched. Don't think I recognized any other names.

No when I said playing the minor leagues what I meant was a lot of them were like drafted and played like Rookie Ball and or low single a just didn't make it. They bring in known guys at each stop

Ah, ok. So Glaus was just added because they were in Anaheim, and isn't a regular bench guy.

Correct.

Heck the other day they added the Great Hambino from the movie "The Sandlot". Patrick Renna who was the catcher in the movie.

 

[The Gator]

It just felt like carnies meet wwf meet the worst baseball players you’ve ever seen

My thoughts asswell

 

[belljr]

Many of them played minor league ball

Troy Glaus pinch hit for the Bananas in the game we watched. Don't think I recognized any other names.

No when I said playing the minor leagues what I meant was a lot of them were like drafted and played like Rookie Ball and or low single a just didn't make it. They bring in known guys at each stop

Ah, ok. So Glaus was just added because they were in Anaheim, and isn't a regular bench guy.

Correct.

Heck the other day they added the Great Hambino from the movie "The Sandlot". Patrick Renna who was the catcher in the movie.

Yep.... they've had John Cena, Ryan Howard in Philly. Etc

 

[BassNBrew]

They’re very talented,

worst baseball players you’ve ever seen

seems contradictory

lol I think you’re just being difficult here. Obviously they are better than my 7 year old son and they are talented to make it to this level but they are the worst baseball players I’ve ever paid to see.

Just wait, it won’t be long before you’re paying to see your kids play high school games. I won’t be long. I mean they are already doing it. Your kids just aren’t old enough yet.

 

[Gally]

They’re very talented,

worst baseball players you’ve ever seen

seems contradictory

lol I think you’re just being difficult here. Obviously they are better than my 7 year old son and they are talented to make it to this level but they are the worst baseball players I’ve ever paid to see.

Wasn't being difficult. I just disagreed with the "worst baseball players" comment and then you seemed to change and say they were talented. There are far worse baseball players around including the minors. Obviously these guys aren't MLB caliber guys but they are probably better than 90% of the world. I have never seen highlights or snipets and ever thought these guys are terrible baseball players.

 

[Gally]

Just wait, it won’t be long before you’re paying to see your kids play high school games.

This has been happening for many, many years. Almost all high school's charge for games. Football, basketball are for sure and baseball, soccer, volleyball are in most places.

 

[Charlie Steiner]

I had never heard of this until it came across my Youtube feed. Looks like they played a game at Clemson in front of 80k+.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

Here are the rules https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfGXWBOd-Dg

Baseballs version of the Globetrotters would be my best description.

They've been a thing a for a few years and are barn storming across the country. They play in DC in a couple of weeks and tickets ain't cheap. Would love to see the show some time. They had Ham from Sandlot on the team the other day.

I got tickets for them in DC through the lottery. Not too expensive to buy through that, but, resale market is pretty pricey if could not get through the lottery. Looking forward to it.

My wife and I both entered the lottery for the games in Baltimore but my wife didn't make it past the first round. I only got as far as stand by but they sold out before getting to me.

 

[zamboni]

Many of them played minor league ball

Troy Glaus pinch hit for the Bananas in the game we watched. Don't think I recognized any other names.

No when I said playing the minor leagues what I meant was a lot of them were like drafted and played like Rookie Ball and or low single a just didn't make it. They bring in known guys at each stop

Ah, ok. So Glaus was just added because they were in Anaheim, and isn't a regular bench guy.

Correct.

Heck the other day they added the Great Hambino from the movie "The Sandlot". Patrick Renna who was the catcher in the movie.

He did kind of play ball like a girl

 

[Charlie Steiner]

Many of them played minor league ball

Troy Glaus pinch hit for the Bananas in the game we watched. Don't think I recognized any other names.

No when I said playing the minor leagues what I meant was a lot of them were like drafted and played like Rookie Ball and or low single a just didn't make it. They bring in known guys at each stop

Ah, ok. So Glaus was just added because they were in Anaheim, and isn't a regular bench guy.

Correct.

Heck the other day they added the Great Hambino from the movie "The Sandlot". Patrick Renna who was the catcher in the movie.

He did kind of play ball like a girl

What'd you say, crabface?

 

[B Maverick]

Many of them played minor league ball

Troy Glaus pinch hit for the Bananas in the game we watched. Don't think I recognized any other names.

No when I said playing the minor leagues what I meant was a lot of them were like drafted and played like Rookie Ball and or low single a just didn't make it. They bring in known guys at each stop

Ah, ok. So Glaus was just added because they were in Anaheim, and isn't a regular bench guy.

Correct.

Heck the other day they added the Great Hambino from the movie "The Sandlot". Patrick Renna who was the catcher in the movie.

He did kind of play ball like a girl

What'd you say, crabface?

Hey, Is that your sister out there in left field, naked? She's naked?
Hey, hey, hey, I'm just trying to have a little friendly conversation, come on.
[two seconds later] Think she'll go out with me?

 

[bigbottom]

Recent 60 Minutes story on Banana Ball

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youtu.be

 

[Ron Swanson]

Didn't they start as a single A team that was struggling and a more basic version of concept came about as a marketing effort to get people out to games? It succeeded and they expanded the concept and took the show on the road?

 

[Skipdog77]

Didn't they start as a single A team that was struggling and a more basic version of concept came about as a marketing effort to get people out to games? It succeeded and they expanded the concept and took the show on the road?

Pretty close..think they were like a summer college team or something.

There's a good series available to stream on ESPN+ called BananaLand that gives some of the history and follows them on what I think was their initial 6-city tour. Incredible success story.

 

[fruity pebbles]

I couldn’t get past the hype man at the beginning of the video

 

[WDIK2]

Sister and brother-in-law moved to Savannah last year. They've gotten tickets to a couple home games through the lottery. They loved them, but they wouldn't really enjoy a MLB game. One of their players is from Omaha and played for Nebraska so my sister got a picture with him.

 

[IrishTwinkie]

I had never heard of this until it came across my Youtube feed. Looks like they played a game at Clemson in front of 80k+.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

Here are the rules https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfGXWBOd-Dg

Baseballs version of the Globetrotters would be my best description.

Y'all are curmudgeons. I was at this game with wife and daughter. Tickets cost me $40 a head. The game/event was highly entertaining. Something going on all the time. Was it serious baseball? Nope. Was it way more entertaining than baseball, yup. They've changed things to make the game faster. Whole thing was done in a little over 2 hours. Very fan friendly. Great time, would do again.

The Bananas are doing something right. Last I heard, more followers than any other baseball team. Perhaps combined.

And there are ex MLB players on the various teams. And some players go up to the show.

 

[UncleZen]

All of their games are streamed live on YouTube. I have watched quite a few and I enjoy them.

 

[glvsav37]

Been following Jesse Cole for a while from a marketing interest standpoint. He and his wife emptied their accounts and bought a failing college summer league team and stadium. They wanted to do something wild and changed the name to the Bananas, and everyone scoffed. They kept playing in the summer league as a regular baseball team, but added a ton of fun audience interactions and gags. Within a year they went from having no fans, to a full waiting list for tickets.

Jesse—the yellow tux guy—really leaned into social media and fan interactions and promotions (free food nights). They played regular baseball and it wasn't until recently that they created the Banana-ball concept. They left the college league and created their own, stating with 1 opponent and now they have expanded to multiple teams.

 

[ChiefD]

It’s supposed to be fun you old fart curmudegeons.

 

[Desert_Power]

Odd this has so much of a following.

 

[Phil Elliott]

They are playing right now on ESPN2.

 

[General Malaise]

This is cute and all but there is real baseball being played with major consequences and I can't watch it because of this? WTF? Somebody needs to be fired at ESPN.

 

[zamboni]

Buddy of mine asked if I wanted to see the Bananas at Yankee Stadium in September. Cheapest ticket on TickPick is $300

Yeah, no.

 

[General Malaise]

Went to one this year at RayJay in Tampa. 70,000 there, blew me away. It’s not for me but people liked it and my kid loved it. It just felt like carnies meet wwf meet the worst baseball players you’ve ever seen doing tricks and not even the kind of tricks most people on Dale Mabry are willing to pay for.

I can see this being very popular with kids, moms who drink white wine out of red solo cups and the patrons of the Blue Oyster Bar.

It shouldn't pre-empt the college world series on ESPN, though. That's crap.

 

[pmedina]

Fans of this make my list of red flags on whether we could be friends or not. Also, people on my FB feed who lean to the more religious side in Oklahoma tend to enjoy it more than the rest of my FB friends .

 

[Capella]

Went to one this year at RayJay in Tampa. 70,000 there, blew me away. It’s not for me but people liked it and my kid loved it. It just felt like carnies meet wwf meet the worst baseball players you’ve ever seen doing tricks and not even the kind of tricks most people on Dale Mabry are willing to pay for.

I can see this being very popular with kids, moms who drink white wine out of red solo cups and the patrons of the Blue Oyster Bar.

It shouldn't pre-empt the college world series on ESPN, though. That's crap.

I don’t understand why people would watch it on tv. Seems like an in-person thing to me (there’s just a lot of noise and a lot going on) and the games don’t mean anything but people love it.

 

[General Malaise]

Went to one this year at RayJay in Tampa. 70,000 there, blew me away. It’s not for me but people liked it and my kid loved it. It just felt like carnies meet wwf meet the worst baseball players you’ve ever seen doing tricks and not even the kind of tricks most people on Dale Mabry are willing to pay for.

I can see this being very popular with kids, moms who drink white wine out of red solo cups and the patrons of the Blue Oyster Bar.

It shouldn't pre-empt the college world series on ESPN, though. That's crap.

I don’t understand why people would watch it on tv. Seems like an in-person thing to me (there’s just a lot of noise and a lot going on) and the games don’t mean anything but people love it.

Globetrotters was a good comp. I'd take my kids to this if it were in town and tickets were affordable - I think when I took my older boys to the Globetrotters 15 years ago, tickets were $20-30? Reasonable. And fun!

This would be fun too but it belongs on The Ocho if ESPN insists on televising it.

A program director at ESPN forced viewers to watch the end of Banana Ball instead of bringing us Game 2 of FSU/OSU. I don't have ESPN+ or News - I pay very enough of a cable bill already. Do better ESPN.

 

[fruity pebbles]

Buddy of mine asked if I wanted to see the Bananas at Yankee Stadium in September. Cheapest ticket on TickPick is $300

Yeah, no.

Couple grand to bring the family to see the Bananas lmao. Hey kids…..you wanna go to Disney for the weekend or see the Bananas?

 

[belljr]

Buddy of mine asked if I wanted to see the Bananas at Yankee Stadium in September. Cheapest ticket on TickPick is $300

Yeah, no.

Couple grand to bring the family to see the Bananas lmao. Hey kids…..you wanna go to Disney for the weekend or see the Bananas?

In fairness that's the secondary market jacking the price. Banana do a lottery system to buy tickets at normal prices