The Savannah Bananas are bringing their wacky brand of baseball to Charlotte this weekend. Here are all the details.
It’s about to be “Bananas” around Charlotte this weekend.
Typically home to the NFL’s Carolina Panthers and the MLS’ Charlotte FC, the Savannah Bananas bring their brand of baseball to Bank of America Stadium on June 6 and 7 for games against the Party Animals.
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The brainchild of Jesse Cole — familiar to many for his time as general manager of the Gastonia Grizzlies’ summer league baseball team — “Banana Ball” has become a traveling road show of sorts, providing a unique blend of baseball and entertainment.
This weekend, Charlotte becomes the latest tour stop for the Savannah Bananas, joining others such as Atlanta, Clemson, Kansas City, Miami, Nashville and Tampa. Each of those — like Friday and Saturday’s events locally — sold out.
Whether among the lucky ones to score a ticket, or simply interested in seeing what the hubbub is about, here’s more information about what to expect from the Savannah Bananas’ stop in Charlotte this weekend.
Savannah Bananas games in Charlotte this weekend
Game time: 7 p.m. ET both Friday and Saturday
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
The Savannah Bananas’ game against the Party Animals is scheduled for 7 p.m. local time.
Friday and Saturday’s lineup
- Early merchandise sales are held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Pre-game party and player apearances begin at 2 p.m.
- ‘Before The Peel’ Show starts at 3 p.m.
- Gates open at 4:30 p.m.
- Show begins at 6:30 p.m., with first pitch 30 minutes later.
Are tickets available for ‘Banana Ball’ this weekend in Charlotte?
Tickets to this weekend’s Savannah Bananas games are sold out.
What channel is the Savannah Bananas game on?
TV channel: ESPN2
Livestream: FUBO (free trial available), ESPN+, Disney+
The Savannah Bananas’ game Saturday at Bank of America Stadium will be televised by ESPN2. Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subsribers.
Familiar faces?
In addition to Cole, Charlotte’s ‘Banana Ball’ debut brings three players with local ties back to the area. The Bananas’ Eric Jones Jr. and the Party Animals’ Reece Hampton are Charlotte natives, the latter also having played for Gastonia’s Atlantic League of Professional Baseball franchise. The Party Animals’ Jake Skole also played for Gastonia’s ALPB club.
What is ‘Banana Ball?’ How is it different from typical baseball rules?
- Each team is permitted one challenge, during which they can elect to utilize a particular prop.
- Every inning is worth a point. The team which scores the most runs in an inning, gets a point for that particular inning. However, in the final inning every run counts toward a team’s final total.
- Games are limited to two hours.
- Hitters cannot step out of the batter’s box; if so, they are issued a strike.
- Bunts are not allowed.
- During an at-bat, hitters can attempt to take first base on a passed ball or wild pitch.
- Ball four doesn’t necessarily mean a hitter earns a walk. In those instances, the batter sprints around the bases. The ball isn’t live until each player in the field touches the ball, during which the batter is allowed to advance as far as they can.
- Mound visits aren’t permitted.
- Foul balls caught by fans are ruled as outs.
- Teams can elect to use the golden batter rule once.
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Savannah Bananas baseball is in Charlotte this weekend. Here’s what you need to know
Reporting by Joe L Hughes II, Gaston Gazette / The Gaston Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
