Savannah Bananas founder Jesse Cole has become a household name in the world of sports entertainment, thanks to his bold vision of blending baseball with showmanship. Reflecting on the team’s meteoric rise to global stardom, Cole recently shared insights into the journey that transformed the Bananas from a small independent baseball club in Georgia into an international sensation.
“When we started, hardly anyone knew who we were,” Cole explained. “Our stadium was nearly empty, and the traditional model of baseball just wasn’t working for us. I knew we had to do something completely different—something that brought joy back to the ballpark.”
That “something different” became the hallmark of Banana Ball, a fast-paced, fan-first version of baseball that replaced long stretches of downtime with music, dancing, and constant entertainment. Players perform choreographed routines, fans are encouraged to participate, and the focus is as much on the experience as it is on the score.
Cole admitted that the early days were far from easy. “We faced skeptics everywhere. People thought we were crazy for mixing circus-style entertainment with America’s pastime. But once fans saw how much fun it was, word spread like wildfire.”
Today, the Savannah Bananas sell out games months in advance and boast millions of followers on social media. Their world tours attract crowds not just for the sport, but for the creativity and joy they deliver. Cole credits the team’s success to staying true to one core principle: putting fans first.
“Our goal was never just to win games,” Cole emphasized. “It was to create memories that families would cherish forever. Seeing the smiles, the laughter, and the energy in every ballpark—that’s the real victory.”
For Cole, the Bananas’ journey is proof that reimagining tradition can spark something extraordinary.
