Live Rad Goes Bananas
When we first found out we were headed to Arizona, we were both excited about the idea of getting to see some baseball while we were here. After some quick research into when Spring Training for the MLB started, I found that the Savannah Bananas were going to be playing in Peoria Sports Complex while we were here. We both got into the immediately got into the ticket lottery and waited. By luck, my name was pulled and we were able to get tickets!
Mile: 33,124
Quote of the Blog: “You can observe a lot by just watching” - Yogi Berra
Song of the Blog: “The Boys Are Back In Town” - Thin Izzy
The game was the weekend before the MLB Spring Training season started, so this was a great way to kick off the fun! Walking into the stadium, it was clear that the show begins before you even walk into the stadium. They had their own personal marching band lead the entire Banana’s baseball team through a parade that went directly through the line of people waiting to get into the door. The vibe was definitely set from go!
We had what was called “Open Seating” tickets. This meant that we could sit anywhere in the stadium we wanted. Amity quickly found some seats about 3 rows off the Bananas dugout on the first base line! Right away, there were things going on throughout the stadium and on the field. They had games, activities and showmanship going on the entire time the teams warmed up. A couple of the highlights were players throwing bananas from the stands into the field and having fans try to catch them in oversized pants. We also were entertained by a little girl, no older than 5 years old, who was brought out onto the field to taste test a banana to make sure that the game was not going to be rotten. We were in luck that she was stoked on the banana and more interested in cookies; or something! We will laugh about that moment for a very long time. They kicked the game off with another young girl, around 10 years old, singing the national anthem. This blew both of our socks off! When we say one of the best ever national anthems, we mean it! The energy in the stadium was set and we were ready for some Banana Ball!
The Banana’s were playing against their rival team, The Party Animals. This is essentially their “B-Team”. But don’t get them wrong, they could play! Right off the bat a player on the Party Animals crushed the ball to the warning track, while the Banana’s right fielder made a spectacular diving catch up against the wall! Every chance they got, every player was trying to make a routine play into a trick play where they would catch the ball behind their back, or dribble the ball between their legs before throwing it to first base, or trying to do a backflip before catching a fly ball. This made every single play that much more exciting, and more impressive was the fact that they were able to do it and still make the outs.
Throughout the game they had music playing at all times. This was a really fun way to watch baseball! The energy in the stadium never dropped, and no one actually cared about who was winning or losing the game! People were just simply entertained. Both teams would use the music to bust out into the dances they are known for doing. It was fun and funny to watch it all happen. They had great choreographed entrances for batters; which included the scene from Home Alone where they find out Kevin is left at home. “Kevin’s Not Here!!!” Throughout the game they would bring out the fans for entertaining games and sideshows. They did a fantastic job of getting kids involved!
The game has all kinds of crazy rules. If a fan catches a foul ball, that player is out. If a player gets four balls, they take off running until every player on the defense touches the ball. The list goes on and on. One of the best parts was the game had a timer for 2 hours. At the end of the game time, the game is over. This kept things moving and kept everyone entertained. At the end of the game the Party Animals were able to beat the Savannah Bananas. This didn’t matter, because we had so much fun and the game/show was done so well that no one cared who one!
We had to get some Banana’s merch! I was stoked to get a new hat, and I also picked up a yellow “Banana Ball”; as they play with a yellow baseball. At the end of the game I had to get some signatures on the ball. I was most stoked to get their umpire to sign the ball. It is a quirky thing to have, but he does set the tone behind the plate, and was very entertaining throughout the game! I also got a couple players and the founder of Banana Ball to sign it. It will be something we can laugh at forever. All in all, the Savannah Bananas lived up to all expectations. We would 100% do this again. Next up, REAL BASEBALL!!