INDIANAPOLIS — Banana Ball founder Jessie Cole announced more growth for his brand of baseball hijinks. Cole said the Savannah Bananas will be joined by five teams in a new league in 2026 that has scheduled appearances in 75 stadiums in 45 states. Cole said Banana Ball drew 2.2 million fans this year and he hopes that number grows to 3.3 million in 2026.
Two new teams will be added in 2026 — the beach-themed Loco Beach Coconuts and the Indianapolis Clowns, a tribute to the original barnstorming team that inspired Cole.
The new league is adding new “Primetime Coach” positions which will be manned by two former major league players on the new teams — Shane Victorino on Loco Beach and Ryan Howard on Indianapolis.
“Getting the opportunity to coach a Banana Ball team that’s paying tribute to the Negro Leagues? That’s an honor, straight up,” Howard said in a statement released by the league. “The names that came before us — Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Cool Papa Bell — those legends paved the way. They played the game with style, with soul, with swagger.
The other teams in the league are the Party Animals, Fire Fighters and Texas Tailgaters.