Go Bananas: Savannah’s traveling baseball team adds date to Kannapolis appearance

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — If peanuts and Cracker Jacks aren’t enough to get you out to the ball game, a visit from baseball’s equivalent of a traveling circus is set for Kannapolis in 2023.

In October, the Savannah Bananas announced plans for a 33-city world tour that included a stop at Atrium Health Ballpark, home of the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, on July 12, 2023.

On Thursday, the team announced it was adding more dates to the tour, which includes an extra game in Kannapolis on July 11, 2023.

Similar to the Harlem Globetrotters, the Bananas focus on the fun side of their sport.

“It’s a circus in a baseball game,” said Jesse Cole, owner of the Bananas. “We’re playing Banana-ball, the world’s fastest, most entertaining game of baseball, with a two-hour time limit and (when) a fan catches a foul ball, it’s an out. We’re bringing our break dancing coaches, our male cheerleading team, our pep band and our players do tricks. And we’re just trying to make baseball fun.”

While the games may be many months away, the Bananas are a hot ticket, so the club advises staying updated with the team for ticket availability.

“Last year on our tour, we had some cities sellout in 16 minutes,” Cole said. “So, get on the (wait)list, get ready. We’ll announce it and you’ll have your chance to get your tickets.”

The Cannon Ballers won’t get the chance to battle the Bananas. Instead, the traveling team will bring its version of the Washington Generals -- the Party Animals, Cole said.

After the Bananas stop in Kannapolis, the team will travel to Durham for a weekend of games.

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