Banana Ball 101
After following Jesse Cole – the yellow-tux-wearing owner of the Savannah Bananas – on LinkedIn and YouTube, I was hooked. His passion is infectious, his energy unstoppable, and his mantra simple but powerful: “When you have fun, you play better.”
And fun is exactly what the Bananas deliver. From sold-out football stadiums to cozy minor league parks, their “Fans First” philosophy has transformed baseball into the must-see show of the year. You can’t even buy Bananas tickets right now; they’re accepting applications for tickets via lottery for 2026.
The Bananas rewrote the rules of the game – literally. Two-hour games, no bunting, no mound visits, no stepping out of the batter’s box, and my favorite twist: if a fan catches a foul ball, the batter’s out! Pair those rules with nonstop music, dancing, and crowd interaction, and you’ve got baseball reimagined as pure joy.
Joining the Bunch
Curious about their customer-first magic, I decided to see it for myself first-hand and do a little something that engagement expert Amanda Lea Kaiser calls ‘engagement scouting’ which is,
“…simply put, keeping your eyes and ears open for engagement inspiration out in the world. Noticing anything that is super engaging, and then asking, “Is there a kernel of something here that I can adapt at my organization?”
So I applied to work at an upcoming game. Their application? Short, simple, and fun. They even asked, “What’s one thing on your bucket list?” (How’s that for living your values?) Plus, they encouraged referrals right away – because who wouldn’t want to work with friends?
The follow-up process was just as impressive. From the “Welcome to Bananaland” email with videos and schedules to the GroupMe chat loaded with training tips and core values, every step reinforced their culture. By the time I got the text confirming I was hired, I practically had their values memorized.
Lesson: Make hiring simple, fun, and crystal clear. Infuse your culture into every touchpoint.
Game Day Antics
When I arrived at Wolff Stadium, the party had already started – in the parking lot. Players were dancing, fans were smiling, and the energy was electric.
Inside, my crew leader (young, energetic, and knowledgeable) trained us on merch and POS systems. The product walkthrough was fast and clear, and the team’s energy was contagious. I quickly realized: product knowledge + enthusiasm = sales gold.
Lesson: Know your products. Energy + expertise builds customer confidence.
Showtime
When gates opened, it was chaos – in the best way. Fans of all ages poured in, singing, dancing, and laughing. Kids chased flying pizza dough from the “pizza guy,” players emerged from the stands to high-five fans, and the crowd roared to Garth Brooks and Whitney Houston singalongs.
At the merch tent, my favorite item was a farting mascot plushie (yes, you had to test it at checkout). That kind of silliness wasn’t just fun – it was memorable.
Lesson: Create micro-moments of delight. It’s the small, unexpected touches that stick.
Making Work Fun
What struck me most was how the supervisors led. They weren’t hovering; they were right there with us – smiling, answering questions, and keeping things moving. One even said it was the best job she’d ever had.
Lesson: Managers who work with their teams, not just above them, create the best employee experiences.
Closing Time
Breaking down heavy tents at midnight wasn’t glamorous, but the teamwork made it fun. And while we were hauling boxes, players were still outside signing autographs and laughing with fans. That connection – up close, personal, and authentic – was the magic that carried the night.
Lesson: Accessibility matters. When fans (or customers) feel like family, loyalty skyrockets.
Final Pitch
The Savannah Bananas are proof that when you put people first – whether fans, customers, or employees – you create unforgettable experiences. Their formula isn’t complicated: keep it simple, make it fun, live your values, and go all in.
So here’s the takeaway for us: keep pushing boundaries, keep creating joy, and always put customers first. Do that, and like the Bananas, you can’t lose.
Jen Troke is APRO’s Vice President.
