Knoxville goes Bananas
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Knoxville goes Bananas
By Shane Gilreath
[email protected]
An exhibition baseball team that’s made quite the name for themselves is set to make an appearance in Knoxville next May. The Savannah Bananas are a fast-paced, rules-twisting version of baseball that’s drawn fans from in- and outside America’s pastime, with their unique twist called “Banana Ball.” Knoxville was one of a dozen or more cities the team announced on their 2026 schedule. The entertainment, music, dance routines, and fan interaction.
On May 21, the team, a part of the Coastal Plains League, a summer circuit for college players, will play at Covenant Health Park, and on May 23, they’ll take the field at Neyland Stadium, marking the first baseball game ever held in Neyland. Their opponent: the Texas Tailgaters, one of Banana Ball’s touring teams.
The Savannah team has garnered over 6 million followers on the popular social media site, TikTok, drawing huge, sellout crowds at some of sports most stories venues, including Clemson University’s Memorial Stadium, Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte and Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.
Banana Ball is unique in baseball, placing its emphasis on crowd reaction, quirky rules, choreographed dance numbers, players standing 10 feet tall on stilts, and other curious changes that continue to appeal to the team’s massive audiences. It’s not been uncommon to see current and former Major League Baseball players suiting up.
Ticketsfor the event will come available through a lottery, open now at thesavannahbananas.com. It closes on October 31.