RICHMOND, Va. — Banana Ball, part baseball game, part interactive show, takes over The Diamond in Richmond both Friday and Saturday nights.
While the viral sensation Savannah Banana baseball team is not part of this weekend's games, fans will experience a similar style of fun with the Firefighters taking on the Texas Tailgaters.
Jesse Cole, the founder of Banana Ball, says the new teams have already amassed over a million social media followers.
"It's special, you know, we've been very fortunate to see what's happened with the Bananas, but I take even more pride in what's happening with our new teams and to see both the Firefighters and Tailgaters now, over a million followers, fans from all over the country that want to see them, that gets a whole new level of excitement," Cole said.
He also acknowledged the expansion brings both opportunities and challenges.
"It's also a whole new level of responsibility. We've been out here rehearsing pretty much the last 48 hours because it's a brand new show, and there's an expectation when fans come from all over the country," Cole said. "We first sold only 2 [Savannah Banana] tickets when we started, and most people said it wouldn't work, but we believed that if we created something special, we put the fans first, we entertained always that people would show up and they would come back."
The Firefighters team pays tribute to firefighters across the country with special moments designed to honor their service.
Cole said his organization thrives on creativity and spontaneity, with each game featuring new elements.
"This company is built on ideas. One of our fans' first principles is ideas are everything. So every day, every week we're coming up with new ideas, our whole team, and that's just part of our DNA now," Cole said. "With the Firefighters, we might have 40 new things we've never done before... Some things that we didn't expect will just happen. That's what makes a live experience special, and the fans get to see something happen organically that they may never forget."
Cole believes Richmond fans will witness something historic.
"I just think it's going to be a historical night here for the people that see this. They say, I saw the first one here in Richmond, and that's special," Cole said.
While somewhat like baseball, Banana Ball has different rules, offers a faster-paced game, and sometimes players break into synchronized dance routines.
"[Fans] are in for a surprise. I promise you that," a player for the Firefighters said. "This is baseball like no other, and the clips you see on social media don't even encompass half of what we do. So I hope everybody can get out to a game."
Game Day Information
Friday, June 20, 2025
Pre-Game Plaza Opens at 3:30 p.m.
Fire Drill Live! Show at 4:30 p.m.
Gates Open at 5:30 p.m.
Show Starts at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 21, 2025
Pre-Game Plaza Opens at 3:30 p.m.
Fire Drill Live! Show at 4:30 p.m.
Gates Open at 5:30 p.m.
Show Starts at 6:30 p.m.
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