Column: As a non-baseball fanatic, Banana Ball is worth your time

DURHAM — I’ve never loved baseball. 

As a D.C. native, I was dragged along to plenty of Nationals games. I never really disliked them, but was just more interested in the food than the actual baseball. 

Then I was introduced to Banana Ball.

For those of you not familiar with Banana Ball, it’s a specific brand of baseball played by the Savannah Bananas and their rivals, the Party Animals, that involves altered rules to make the game more competitive. There's also lots of dancing, trick plays and shirtless oiled-up men. 

Sounds ideal, right? 

That’s what I thought when I signed up to cover the Banana’s series in Durham this weekend. 

It delivered. 

Banana Ball had everything I wished the Nats would've incorporated as a child. It was fun, heartwarming and fast-paced. I couldn’t have asked for more.

The players agree it’s no regular baseball game. 

“It’s not the same at all,” Party Animals pitcher Jake Lialios said. “You quickly forget what real baseball is like once you’re immersed in this.” 

I certainly forgot. When I first pulled up to the stadium, I wasn’t in the best mood. I had been stuck in traffic, and I had to pay 10 whole dollars to park. But as soon as I walked inside, my attitude changed. All of the players were milling about the field, laughing and joking with one another, filming TikToks and generally just having a great time. 

It was clear these guys loved what they did. All of them came from a traditional baseball background in some capacity, but had ended up in Banana Land and couldn’t be more happy about it. 

“The funny thing is, now that I’m here doing this, baseball is just all natural,” Bananas pitcher Ethan Skuija said. “That’s the part where I just get to rely on my instincts, trust myself — the entertainment is where I actually need to think.” 

For some of the players, however, the entertainment definitely comes a bit more naturally. 

Case in point: 

I’m standing to the left of home base before the game, chatting with a Bananas media relations representative. Grace Nugent, my co-reporter, is talking with Bananas infielder Robert Anthony Cruz. Then, another Party Animal walks by, who shouted “I’m in my JoJo era!”

Yes he was. His face was painted with eye black in the style of the new JoJo Siwa “Karma” music video, which made for quite a unique appearance. So obviously, I had to talk to him. 

The player in question is Party Animals pitcher Riyan Rodriguez, who introduced himself to me as the “Sexi Mexi”. We hit it off immediately, discussing the nuances of Siwa’s new song (“Quality. I heard she’s inventing a new genre of music. Never been done before”) her trajectory as a musician (“She’s really just a trendsetter — a pioneer some would say”) and her impact on his life (“A spiritual leader.”)

By the end of the interview, there was a wide grin across my face. 

And when fans started to flood the field for the VIB (Very Important Bananas) experience, every single player was waiting for them. For 45 minutes they signed jerseys, balls and hats, chatted with little kids and their parents and posed for hundreds of selfies. 

Throughout the pregame experience, I witnessed countless heartwarming interactions. One Party Animals catcher Bronson “Bronny” Balholm even introduced us to his mother, Cathleen, who quickly became one of my favorite people. 

When the play started it was just as fun. There were trick plays, there was music, dancing and, of course, lots of celebrations.

“People will always be like ‘Oh your dancing was great’ and I’m like ‘Well I have no formal training,’” Lialios said. “I’m kind of just goofing around."

While Lialios was showing off for the crowd on the third base line, Bananas outfielder Noah Bridges was hopping into the stands on the first base line. 

Bridges recounted one time he accidentally stepped on a little girl’s glove during his time in the crowd. To make her feel better, he jokingly told her that he would use her glove in the next inning. The little girl took it to heart, and pressed the glove into his hands. 

Even though it was about 10 sizes too small, Bridges decided to follow through on his promise, figuring he probably wouldn't get a ball hit to him. But, like clockwork, he soon found a ball flying straight at him. He jumped up and snatched the ball out of the air with the tiny glove.

“I went crazy,” Bridges said. 

The players go the extra mile for the fans and it shows. It’s fun to watch and it’s fun to be a part of. 

As the lights dimmed on the final day of the series, I found myself disappointed to be leaving.

I walked out of the stadium and onto the street where the players were still interacting with fans. As I passed by, I joked with Rodriguez about his JoJo Siwa makeup and gave Balholm and his mother a hug. 

And as a previously proud non-baseball fan, I would venture to say I was converted to the dark side. 

Well, almost.

At the very least, I can safely say now I do indeed love Banana Ball.

@peacegwen 

@dthsports | sports@dailytarheel.com