The Savannah Bananas have become one of the biggest rays of sunshine in all of sports, bringing a new flare to baseball with its alternatively game format called Banana Ball.
Founded in 2016, the independent collegiate summer team turned exhibition barnstorming bunch has grown into an internet sensation, coining themselves as “the Greatest Show in Sports.” There isn’t a game that goes by without a trick play, surprising prop or viral-worthy video.
In short, they are the baseball version of the Harlem Globetrotters.
But, behind the Bananas suits, mid-game dances and sense of thrilling uncertainty, is a roster filled with previous collegiate and professional players. The 25-person roster brims with players from around the country and different levels of baseball experience.
Here’s a look at where each Banana played:
(Readers may have to scroll to read the entire table)
| NAME | POSITION | COLLEGE | HOMETOWN | TIK TOK FOLLOWERS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dakota Albritton | Utility | N/A | Ellaville, GA | 175.7K |
| Reese Alexiades | Outfielder | Pepperdine | Manhattan Beach, CA | 9.9K |
| Andy Archer | RHP | Georgia Tech/Hawaii | Peachtree Corners, GA | 18.6K |
| Ryan Cox | Shortstop | Kutztown/St. Bonaventure | Aliquippa, PA | 260K |
| RobertAnthony Cruz | Outfielder | Biola (CA) | Fontana, CA | 824.4K |
| Jared Donalson | RHP | Georgia Southwestern | Dawson, GA | 39.5K |
| Danny Hosley | Utility | Norfolk State/George Mason | Vienna, VA | 35.3K |
| Kyle ‘KJ’ Jackson | Utility | Kent State | Bowling Green, OH | 13.9K |
| Ty Jackson | Outfielder | Florida A&M | Jacksonville, FL | 65.8K |
| Eric Jones | Catcher; First Base | Davidson | Charlotte, NC | 38.5K |
| Ryan Kellogg | LHP | Arizona State | Whitby, ON, Canada | 15.9K |
| Austin Krzeminski | RHP | Belmont | Chandler, AZ | 52.1K |
| Bill Leroy | Catcher | North Georgia | Dublin, GA | 97.9K |
| Kyle Luigs | RHP | North Georgia/Jacksonville State | Richmond Hill, GA | 37K |
| Dalton Mauldin | Infielder | Bethune Cookman/Trevecca Nazarene | Nashville, TN | 325.4K |
| David ‘DR’ Meadows | Outfielder | Columbus State | Vidalia, GA | 273.4K |
| Malachi Mitchell | Designated Runner | Florida A&M/Savannah State | Gainesville, FL | 183.8K |
| Noah Niznik | LHP | Southeast Missouri State | Imperial, MO | 12.3K |
| Dan Oberst | Utility | West Georgia | Tampa, FL | 92.8K |
| Jackson Olson | Infielder | Stetson/Hartford | New Milford, CT | 1.8M |
| Kyle Perry | LHP | Nebraska | Omaha, NE | 1.7K |
| Zack Phillips | LHP | Ole Miss | Jonesboro, AR | 58.3K |
| Correlle Prime | First Base | N/A – Drafted out of HS | Bradenton, FL | 1.1K |
| Gage Voorhees | RHP | Cedarville/Flagler | Springfield, OH | 1.2K |
| Alex Ziegler | Extra Hitter | Pennsylvania Western (CA) | Butler, PA | 625.6K |
Besides the unique game format they use, the Bananas’ business pitch of what makes them stand out includes their strong social media following, producing countless videos that have garnered over millions of views. The team’s Tiktok and Instagram accounts have a combined 11.8 million followers.
WARNING: Expert level trickery⚠️ pic.twitter.com/TsKSk88D7x
— Savannah Bananas (@TheSavBananas) February 25, 2025
Titled the Banana Ball World Tour, the team’s 2025 schedule consists of games against partnering touring teams from February to October. This will include matchups in 18 Major League Baseball stadiums and three football stadiums.
The team played its first-ever exhibition against a college opponent in Clemson last November using Banana Ball rules. The sold-out matchup was highlighted by a viral dance by the Tigers during the game, which has garnered over 36 million views.
.@ClemsonBaseball absolutely DEVOURED their first #bananaball dance 🕺 pic.twitter.com/ROCDvq6xHV
— Banana Ball (@BananaBall_) November 8, 2024
