On August 29th, my son and I had the chance to experience the Savannah Bananas live at PNC Park in Pittsburgh—and what an unforgettable night it was.
If you haven’t heard the buzz yet, the Savannah Bananas are not your typical baseball team. Their wild yet surprisingly competitive game, called Banana Ball, is like a mash-up of baseball, circus, and a party on steroids - and somehow it all works.
What makes Banana Ball different?
- Games are capped at two hours, no matter what.
- If a fan catches a foul ball, it counts as an out.
- There’s no stepping out of the batter’s box—batters have to stay locked in.
- Every inning counts: the team that wins the most innings wins the game.
- And yes, players dance, sing, do backflips, and interact with the crowd the whole way through.
Because every game sells out, tickets are only available through a lottery system. I wasn’t lucky enough to snag tickets on my own, but a friend of mine did—and at the last minute, she offered me two. It didn’t take me more than a second to say yes and to know exactly who I was taking: my 9-year-old son.
 It was a beautiful night at PNC Park for some Banana Ball! |
We carpooled downtown with our neighbors around 4 p.m., which turned out to be a good call because parking was jam-packed. Once we arrived, getting into PNC was smooth and easy. Our tickets were scanned by—you guessed it—human bananas dancing their way across the Roberto Clemente Bridge. Outside the stadium, merch tents were set up with zero wait time, and the energy was electric from the moment we walked in.
Game Highlights
- Watching a player make a backflip catch while recording himself on his cell phone. Pure entertainment.
- Ryan Cox’s walkout—an emotional tribute to Pittsburgh legend Mac Miller that had the whole crowd cheering.
- The biggest surprise of all: YouTube megastar MrBeast was in the house, giving away $110,000 to random fans in the stadium. My son’s jaw nearly hit the floor when he realized he was in the same building as his favorite YouTuber.
- And the grand finale: the game was tied at the end of the 9th inning, which meant it went into a Showdown Tiebreaker. One pitcher, one batter, and one fielder faced off in a dramatic, all-or-nothing race around the bases. The energy in PNC Park was electric—it felt less like extra innings and more like a championship shootout.
 Having a Banana Dog at the ballfield. |
 Mr. Beast was in the house doing what he does best! |
 Getting to watch the Showdown Tiebreaker from behind home plate. |
Things to Know Before You Go
- If you can, get there early for the pregame show—you’ll find chances to meet players, enjoy skits, and soak in the atmosphere before first pitch.
- Normal bag restrictions weren’t enforced at this event, which meant we could bring in water and snacks. Definitely check the Bananas’ fan page for up-to-date policies before you go.
- Stick around afterward—many players come back out to sign autographs, take photos, and keep the fun going long after the last inning.
Walking out of the stadium that night, my son’s smile said it all. The Savannah Bananas aren’t just changing baseball—they’re making memories for families like mine. If you ever get the chance to see them live, don’t miss it.
