Al Bello Photographer

PICTURE STORIES: THE SAVANNAH BANANAS

The Historic Grayson Stadium is the home of the independent professional baseball team called the Savannah Bananas. The Bananas were part of the Coastal Plain League, a summer collegiate league, for seven seasons. In 2022, the Bananas announced that they were leaving the Coastal Plain League to play Banana Ball year-round. Banana Ball was born out of the idea of making baseball more fast-paced, entertaining, and fun.  

  • Assistant Coach Reginald Horton #23 of the Savannah Bananas leads a pre game cheer with the players before their game against the Party Animals at Richmond County Bank Ball Park on August 12, 2023 in New York City.
  • Dakota {quote}Stilts{quote} Albritton #14 of the Savannah Bananas checks his phone in the locker room before the game against the Party Animals at Grayson Stadium on May 11, 2023 in Savannah, Georgia.
  • The Savannah Bananas dance in the locker room prior to their home opener against the Party Animals at Grayson Stadium on February 25, 2023 in Savannah, Georgia.
  • Savannah Bananas owner Jesse Cole poses for a photo before the game between the Savannah Bananas against the Party Animals at Grayson Stadium on May 13, 2023 in Savannah, Georgia.
  • The Savannah Bananas dance with fans outside the stadium prior to their home opener against the Party Animals at Grayson Stadium on February 25, 2023 in Savannah, Georgia.
  • Jackson Olson #8 of the Savannah Bananas fields ground balls in a Banana Skin suit prior to their home opener against the Party Animals at Grayson Stadium on February 25, 2023 in Savannah, Georgia.
  • Fans cheer as the The Savannah Bananas play their home opener against the Party Animals at Grayson Stadium on February 25, 2023 in Savannah, Georgia.
  • Fans cheer on the Savannah Bananas during their game against the Staten Island Ferryhawks at Richmond County Bank Ball Park on August 11, 2023 in New York City.
  • Savannah Bananas fans head to the game against the Staten Island Ferryhawks at Richmond County Bank Ball Park on August 11, 2023 in New York City.
  • Dakota {quote}Stilts{quote} Albritton #14 of the Savannah Bananas greets fans before their game against the Staten Island Ferryhawks at Richmond County Bank Ball Park on August 11, 2023 in New York City.
  • First Base Coach/Dance instructor Maceo Harrison of the Savannah Bananas performs a dance routine their game against the Party Animals at Richmond County Bank Ball Park on August 12, 2023 in New York City.
  • Dakota {quote}Stilts{quote} Albritton #14 of the Savannah Bananas stands with his team during the national anthem before their game against the Staten Island Ferryhawks at Richmond County Bank Ball Park on August 11, 2023 in New York City.
  • Kyle Luigs #12 and Dan Oberst #19 of the Savannah Bananas are introduce prior to their game against the Party Animals at Richmond County Bank Ball Park on August 12, 2023 in New York City.
  • An Aerial view of the introduction of the Savannah Bananas against the Party Animals at Grayson Stadium on May 11, 2023 in Savannah, Georgia.
  • Bill Leroy #1 of the Savannah Bananas is introduced before the game between the Savannah Bananas against the Party Animals at Grayson Stadium on May 13, 2023 in Savannah, Georgia.
  • Dakota {quote}Stilts{quote} Albritton #14 of the Savannah Bananas pitches against the Party Animals at Grayson Stadium on May 11, 2023 in Savannah, Georgia.  Albritton plays Banana Ball on Stilts. He plays the field, bats, and he pitches all while wearing a pair of stilts while playing.
  • The Savannah Bananas perform a dance routine during their game against the Staten Island Ferryhawks at Richmond County Bank Ball Park on August 11, 2023 in New York City.
  • Mat Wolf #29 of the Savannah Bananas pitches during their game against the Party Animals at Richmond County Bank Ball Park on August 12, 2023 in New York City.
  • Noah Bridges #9 of  the Savannah Bananas competes in a weigh in and dance routine against Michael Santino Vavasis , Head Coach of the Party Animals at Grayson Stadium on May 13, 2023 in Savannah, Georgia.
  • Reece Hampton #6 of the Party Animals is tagged out at home plate by Bill LeRoy #1 of the Savannah Bananas during their home opener at Grayson Stadium on February 25, 2023 in Savannah, Georgia.
  • An aerial view of Savannah Bananas Team Owner Jesse Cole leading his team singing a rendition of {quote}Hey Baby{quote} during a pre game rally with the fans before their game against the Party Animals at Grayson Stadium on May 13, 2023 in Savannah, Georgia.
  • Fans sign the Fan Wall in the outfield before the game between the Savannah Bananas against the Party Animals at Grayson Stadium on May 11, 2023 in Savannah, Georgia.
  • Fans are greeted by the Banana Nanas as the The Savannah Bananas play their home opener against the Party Animals at Grayson Stadium on February 25, 2023 in Savannah, Georgia.
  • Kyle Luigs #12 of the Savannah Bananas has his ball lit on fire by his teammate Eric Jones Jr. #3 before he pitches it during their game against the Staten Island Ferryhawks at Richmond County Bank Ball Park on August 11, 2023 in New York City.
  • Fans look on as the The Savannah Bananas play their home opener against the Party Animals at Grayson Stadium on February 25, 2023 in Savannah, Georgia.
  • Savannah Bananas baseballs are seen in a bucket prior to their home opener against the Party Animals at Grayson Stadium on February 25, 2023 in Savannah, Georgia.
  • Savannah Bananas owner Jesse Cole speaks to his team in the locker room prior to their home opener against the Party Animals at Grayson Stadium on February 25, 2023 in Savannah, Georgia.
  • Savannah Bananas owner Jesse Cole and team welcome a Banana Baby before the game between the Savannah Bananas against the Party Animals at Grayson Stadium on May 13, 2023 in Savannah, Georgia.
  • The first base coach of the Savannah Bananas holds a sign during the home opener against the Party Animals at Grayson Stadium on February 25, 2023 in Savannah, Georgia.
  • Mat Wolf #29 of the Savannah Bananas juggle prior to their game against the Party Animals at Richmond County Bank Ball Park on August 12, 2023 in New York City.
  • Kyle Luigs #12 of the Savannah Bananas pitches against the Party Animals at Grayson Stadium on May 13, 2023 in Savannah, Georgia.
  • Fans throw toilet paper as the The Savannah Bananas play their home opener against the Party Animals at Grayson Stadium on February 25, 2023 in Savannah, Georgia.
  • Savannah Bananas owner Jesse Cole greets fans before their game against the Staten Island Ferryhawks at Richmond County Bank Ball Park on August 11, 2023 in New York City.
  • The Savannah Bananas perform a dance routine during their game against the Staten Island Ferryhawks at Richmond County Bank Ball Park on August 11, 2023 in New York City.
  • Alex Ziegler #10 of the Savannah Bananas balances a baseball bat on his nose prior to their game against the Party Animals at Richmond County Bank Ball Park on August 12, 2023 in New York City.
  • A young fan leads the Savannah Bananas and fans in a dance routine  before the game against the Party Animals at Richmond County Bank Ball Park on August 12, 2023 in New York City.
  • he Savannah Bananas join the crowd singing the song {quote}Yellow{quote} between innings against the Party Animals at Richmond County Bank Ball Park on August 12, 2023 in New York City.
  • Savannah Bananas owner Jesse Cole sits with his players to watch a fireworks show after their game against the Party Animals at Richmond County Bank Ball Park on August 12, 2023 in New York City.
  • An Aerial view of the game between the Savannah Bananas against the Party Animals at Grayson Stadium on May 13, 2023 in Savannah, Georgia.
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