Banana Ball returns in 2026 with new league, new teams and a former MLB star
By Amy Zimmer
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SAVANNAH, Georgia (WJCL) — Banana Ball is back at Grayson Stadium and ready to usher in a new era of entertainment in 2026.
The Savannah Bananas’ fast-paced, fan-first brand of baseball will feature a major change this season with the launch of the Banana Ball Championship League, a newly formed league that includes two expansion teams and a full-time former Major League Baseball player.
The Loco Beach Coconuts and the Indianapolis Clowns will join the Bananas, Party Animals, Firefighters and Texas Tailgaters as the six-team league begins its inaugural season.
Former Savannah Bananas pitcher Andy Archer, now a member of the Coconuts, said the addition of a formal league structure takes Banana Ball to another level.
“The league and the competitive aspect, elevating that to the next level, I think it’s going to do a lot of things — not just for us internally to take us to the next level, but from a national scale,” Archer said. “To give people more insight as to what this actually is.”
Archer spent two seasons with the Bananas before joining the expansion Coconuts. One of his new teammates, outfielder Tanner Allen, is new to Banana Ball entirely and said the atmosphere is unlike anything he’s experienced before.
“For me, the first couple of days, the vibes are immaculate on the field,” Allen said. “It’s almost like a breath of fresh air stepping on the field and knowing you have freedom. That’s been the coolest part for me so far.”
The other expansion team, the Indianapolis Clowns, will feature former Boston Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. on a full-time basis. Bradley, a two-time Gold Glove winner, made a guest appearance with Banana Ball last season at Fenway Park and is now joining the league for the full 2026 campaign.
“I see this as an opportunity to hopefully bridge that gap,” Bradley said. “That way, there’s some trust kind of going on, and to show that this game is very exciting.”
The Banana Ball World Tour will begin Feb. 26–28 in Tallahassee, Florida, featuring all six teams. The season will conclude with the Banana Ball League Championships beginning Oct. 1 at Grayson Stadium.
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