What Major League Baseball Can Learn from the Savannah Bananas
Baseball is one of America’s oldest sports, but in recent years, some fans have started to lose interest. Long games, high ticket prices, and fewer exciting moments have caused problems for Major League Baseball (MLB). But now, a fun and unique team called the Savannah Bananas is showing MLB a new way to bring the fun back to the game.
The Savannah Bananas are not a regular baseball team. They travel across the country playing a special version of baseball called “Banana Ball.” The rules are different, the players dance, and fans are a big part of the action. People are loving it — they’ve sold out games in big stadiums, and millions follow them on social media.
So, what makes the Bananas so popular? And what can MLB learn from them?
1. Focus on the Fans
The Bananas always put their fans first so they ensure everyone has a good time. Their tickets are affordable, and there are no extra fees. A $35 ticket really costs $35. They don’t sell through big websites that charge more — they do it all themselves. It’s all about making things easy and fair for families.
2. Make Games More Fun
Banana Ball isn’t just a game — it’s a full show. Before the game starts, players dance, talk to fans, and even go into the crowd. Fans want to get to the stadium early because there’s so much to see and do. In MLB, most games don’t have anything fun happening before the first pitch.
3. Show Off the Players
Many Banana players are famous online. One player, Jackson Olson, has over 2 million followers on TikTok. That’s more than some of MLB’s biggest stars! Fans feel like they know the Banana players because they are funny, friendly, and love interacting with people.
4. Try New Ideas
Banana Ball has different rules to keep games short and exciting. Games are never longer than two hours, and every inning matters. MLB has started using a pitch clock to speed things up, but the Bananas show that more changes could make baseball even more fun to watch.
Right now, MLB is facing challenges, and another player strike could be coming after the 2026 season. If that happens, it’ll lose the MLB tons of money and fans. If baseball isn’t careful, fans might start turning to teams like the Savannah Bananas instead.