Imago
Image: IMAGO
Imago
Image: IMAGO
The Savannah Bananas are revolutionizing the game without looking back at past glories. This is something that Major League Baseball is struggling with, Savannah’s exhibition-style shows have drawn sell‑out crowds of more than 45,000 fans over one weekend at Camden Yards, a stark contrast to the Orioles’ steady game averages of around 24,000 in 2023. Instead, the Bananas focus on innovation, humor, and unadulterated enjoyment—something that seems to be a necessary tonic for a sport at risk of losing its shine. This columnist pointedly suggested that Rob Manfred should take inspiration from the Bananas’ playbook to help MLB stay relevant.
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The Savannah Bananas are a touring exhibition team from Savannah, Georgia, performing “Banana Ball”—a fast‑paced, fan‑first variant of the game. They’ve packed stadiums from Clemson (80,000 at Memorial Stadium) to Camden Yards, filling them with choreographed dances, unbelievable stunts, and quirky rules. Their fan engagement, especially through social media, has born fruit; their TikTok presence has surpassed that of most MLB teams, helping drive their sold‑out tour stops.
Well, it’s interesting how the Baltimore Orioles were only able to mark the attendance of around 22k. And then the Savannah Bananas got double of it. Highlight exactly that, Brittany Ghiroli of the Athletics urged Rob Manfred to learn and adapt that in MLB. The core of Banana Ball’s philosophy is a simple promise: no hidden fees and no corporate markup. The team gets every dollar you give them for a $35 ticket. Jesse Cole, the ringmaster in a yellow outfit, has turned down seven-figure offers so that fans don’t have to pay extra. He says, “I’m not trying to make a billion dollars,” he says, “I want a billion fans.”
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credits: Savannah Morning News
Not only that, but the gates at the Savannah Banana open two and a half hours early. And there are lots of fun things to do and chances to meet players. Compared to MLB’s 90-minute window. So, why not let spectators watch batting practice or get autographs before the game? Making it arrive early is a memory.
Ghiroli also mentioned how players of the Banana become stars on their own. Fans wear jerseys with names that MLB fans don’t even recognize, and TikTok stars seem to be more famous than major league legends. That’s not it, the schedule of the Banana bell is also very interesting. No games on Monday, only Thursday through Sunday. On the contrary, MLB’s constant grind also led to low attendance.
Banana Ball have some amazing rules. One is that it features an exciting scoring system that counts every inning. And uses game clocks to emphasize the ninth inning. While the MLB pitch clock is a step forward, additional innovative rules could further enhance the game’s appeal.
Well, Rob Manfred is aware of the attendance deficit issue. And he himself has admitted how the MLB failed to take the opportunity of not The Savannah Bananas are outselling MLB teams with innovative fan-first approach. Can Commissioner Rob Manfred learn before baseball loses fans for good?relying on social media.
MLB Commissioner regrets: ‘You gotta go where people are’
Rob Manfred recently acknowledged that MLB missed an opportunity with social media. On The Pat McAfee Show, the commissioner admitted that MLB’s attempts to control the narrative by directing fans to its own platforms ended up driving people away.
USA Today via Reuters
Feb 15, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; MLB commissioner Rob Manfred talks with media at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
Manfred didn’t try to hide the truth: “Some of the people… came to me and said, ‘We got this wrong. We’re just in the wrong place. We’re trying to drive everybody here. The right strategy is to make sure we are where the people are. You gotta go where people are going. And that shift has been a really good thing for us.”
The timing of this change couldn’t be better. Attendance statistics show significant gaps: the Dodgers lead with about 50k fans per game, followed by the Padres and Yankees at 42k, and the Phillies at 41k. Meanwhile, the Rays and Athletics struggle to attract over 10k fans. The key takeaway is that enhancing your digital content visibility can create the buzz needed to fill seats, especially with a widespread fan base.
Manfred’s admission is both honest and wise. MLB is striving to connect with today’s audience by embracing social media. Can they regain ballpark attendance, or should they take inspiration from the Savannah Bananas?
Written by
Edited by
Jyotsna Rai