Buffalo Welcomes Savannah Bananas Firefighters for Exciting Banana Ball Series

From July 5-7, the Savannah Bananas made their final stop on their 2024 World Tour in Buffalo. Additionally, fans eagerly awaited the arrival of Banana Ball’s new team, the Firefighters. This series marked three of 19 games on the Bananas’ tour schedule. The previous series saw the Bananas and the Party Animals face off in Savannah and Las Vegas, with the Bananas also taking on the Firefighters in Nashville and Savannah.

The Firefighters made their highly anticipated debut on May 30, shaking up the dynamics of the tour. Traditionally, the Bananas have exclusively faced the Party Animals in every World Tour match up until this point. With the arrival of the Firefighters, both the Bananas and the Party Animals will face off against this new team. It is worth noting that the Party Animals are set to play their own 12-match main stage of the tour.

During the three-game series at Sahlen Field, more than 49,000 fans were entertained. The Bananas currently lead the 2024 Tour with a 31-22 record, having recently won a series in Indianapolis. The Bananas have now won all three of their games played in Buffalo.

Who are the Savannah Bananas?

For local interest, Bananas pitcher Ryan Kellogg hails from Whitby, Ontario, Canada. The Bananas’ journey began in 2015 in Savannah, where they revitalized baseball with a focus on fun and fan engagement. Despite initial challenges, including financial difficulties that led owners Jesse and Emily Cole to sell their home, the team gained national attention when they adopted the name Savannah Bananas in 2016. Initially controversial, the name attracted significant media coverage and sold-out stadiums, setting a precedent for their success.

After seven seasons in the Coastal Plain League, during which they won three Petitt Cup championships and had over 35 players selected, the Bananas switched to Banana Ball, a faster, more entertaining version of baseball that is played year-round. Now with three independent professional teams (the Savannah Bananas, Party Animals and Firefighters), the organization continues to innovate and expand its impact on the sport.

Banana Ball is defined by its unique set of 11 rules designed to make the game exciting and competitive. This year, a new rule called the GOLDEN BATTER was introduced, allowing each team one opportunity per game to send any batter to the plate, regardless of their position in the lineup or the game situation. This rule is designed to intensify close games and provide a strategic advantage to either team.