Hall of Fame to Host Savannah Bananas at Historic Doubleday Field

(COOPERSTOWN, NY) – Baseball fans of Central New York will be going Bananas when the game’s most unique team comes to Cooperstown in 2023. The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum will host the Savannah Bananas in a Banana Ball Game on Sept. 16 at the Village of Cooperstown’s historic Doubleday Field. The game will be the final contest of the Bananas’ 2023 World Tour, dates of which were announced Tuesday. “The Museum celebrates baseball at every level, and the Bananas have become a sensation with their fun-first approach to the game,” said Josh Rawitch, President of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. “We are thrilled to bring Banana Ball to the Hall and host them at the home of baseball. Fans of all ages from around the country, as well as right here in Cooperstown, are going to enjoy the unique show the Savannah Bananas bring to Doubleday Field.” The Savannah Bananas began play in the Coastal Plain League in 2016 before launching Banana Ball, which is played under modified rules, in 2020. Banana Ball features a two-hour time limit, no stepping out of the batter’s box or mound visits and no bunting as well as the recording of an out when a fan catches a batted foul ball. The team has sold out every game at Grayson Stadium in Savannah, Ga., for six straight years. “We are honored and thrilled to finish our 2023 World Tour in Cooperstown and partner with the Hall of Fame,” said Bananas team owner Jesse Cole. “Doubleday Field is sacred ground when it comes to our National Pastime. For us to be celebrated by the Hall of Fame and to bring Banana Ball, our newest version of baseball, to this park is beyond special.” For the game at Doubleday Field, the Bananas will face off against their rival, the Party Animals. The Bananas and Party Animals rosters will be filled by independent professional players who have been scouted, tried out, and signed contracts for the 2023 Banana Ball World Tour. Led by Bananas captains Bill LeRoy and Kyle Luigs, recent team rosters have also included surprise player guests, such as former major league stars Jake Peavy, Jonathan Papelbon, Jonny Gomes, Josh Reddick, Bill Lee and Johnny Bench. The Bananas have been featured across the globe for everything from playing a game in kilts, using a Dancing First Base Coach, the Banana Nanas Dance Team, the first ever baseball player to wear stilts, a Banana Pep Band, breakdancing players, and a whole lot more. For the complete Savannah Bananas World Tour schedule and opportunity for tickets, click here to join the Ticket Pre-sale List.