Savannah Bananas Make Yankee Stadium Debut With Sold-Out Shows

The Savannah Bananas are bringing their brand of fast, fun baseball to New York. For the first time, the team will play at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx. Two exhibition games against the Firefighters are scheduled for September 13 and 14. Both games are sold out, with nearly 100,000 fans expected over the weekend. The games will also be broadcast live on truTV and streamed on DirecTV.

The Bananas, based in Savannah, Georgia, are known for “Banana Ball.” The format changes traditional baseball rules to keep the pace quick and the crowd engaged. According to the Associated Press, the team has become a national sensation, often compared to the Harlem Globetrotters for baseball.

What Makes Banana Ball Different

Banana Ball has its own set of rules. Each inning is worth one point. The team that wins the inning takes the point. A game cannot run longer than two hours. Batters are not allowed to step out of the box. If they do, it counts as a strike. Fans can even catch foul balls for outs.

Other rules ban bunting and allow stealing first base on any pitch. If a pitcher throws four balls, every defensive player must touch the ball before it is live again. These changes keep the game moving and add constant action.

The team also mixes in entertainment. Players dance, coaches perform stunts, and even stilts have been used on the field. But the baseball itself is real, with former college and minor league players competing seriously. This balance of sport and spectacle is why the Bananas have gained nationwide attention.

Why Yankee Stadium Matters

Playing at Yankee Stadium marks a major step for the Bananas. The venue is one of the most famous ballparks in the world. Team president Jared Orton said the move shows the team has “grown up” and is ready for the biggest stage. The Bananas have already played at Fenway Park in Boston and Busch Stadium in St. Louis, but New York is considered the ultimate baseball market.

The games in The Bronx could open the door to more appearances in major league parks. Orton said the Yankees and MLB teams have been cautious about allowing the Bananas in their facilities. But strong fan demand and positive reviews from earlier stops have eased concerns. If this weekend is a success, the team hopes to return to both Yankee Stadium and Citi Field in the future.

Bananas on Tour and Beyond

The Bananas are nearing the end of their 2025 world tour. After New York, they will play in Seattle and Houston before returning to Savannah for the Banana Ball Tour Championship in October. Every stop has been met with packed stadiums and enthusiastic fans. Hall of Fame players, like Trevor Hoffman, have even joined the fun in recent games.

The mission, Orton says, remains simple: make baseball fun. From 4,000 fans at Grayson Stadium to tens of thousands in MLB parks, the rise has been dramatic. The Bronx stop is their biggest test yet, but also their biggest chance to show how far Banana Ball has come.

The Savannah Bananas are no longer just a novelty. They are now a cultural force in baseball, and their Yankee Stadium debut proves it.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What is Banana Ball?

Banana Ball is a fast version of baseball. It has 11 unique rules, including two-hour limits and fan catches counting as outs.

Q2: When are the Savannah Bananas games at Yankee Stadium?

The games are on Saturday, September 13 at 7 p.m. ET and Sunday, September 14 at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Q3: How can fans watch the Savannah Bananas in New York?

Both games will air on truTV. They can also be streamed on DirecTV Stream.

Q4: Why are the Savannah Bananas compared to the Harlem Globetrotters?

They mix real sport with entertainment. Trick plays, dances, and fan interaction make the games a show.

Q5: What is next for the Savannah Bananas after New York?

They will tour Seattle and Houston. In October, they return to Savannah for the Banana Ball Tour Championship.