Savannah Bananas save their biggest show for D.C.
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Dakota Albritton's stilt-walking highlights the grandeur of Savannah Bananas games. Photo: Andy Cross/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images
A Vienna native is preparing for the biggest game of his career Saturday at Nationals Park.
- That means lots of work on his dance moves.
The big picture: Pitcher Danny Hosley and his Savannah Bananas teammates are wrapping up their season in D.C. with the first Banana Bowl — a championship game the novelty baseball league is billing as its grandest spectacle yet.
- The Bananas will face the Texas Tailgaters, but Saturday's festivities will also feature the league's four other teams, alongside surprise celebrity guests and musical acts.
Why it matters: Since its debut in 2020, Banana Ball has grown from a viral baseball attraction into a national phenomenon, with massive crowds and TV audiences.
By the numbers: The league drew 3.2 million fans across 180 games in 75 venues this season.
- The Bananas have nearly 12 million TikTok followers — more than five times the New York Yankees.
- 1.2 million viewers tuned in for a June game on ABC.
Behind the scenes: Hosley says preparing for this game feels like three hours a day of dance practice and rehearsals.
- The former Norfolk State pitcher wasn't initially confident in his dance moves, but he has since become a showman.
- "We're all baseball players, side-gig dancers," Hosley said.
Yes, but: The baseball is competitive, even if the entertainment is choreographed.
- An obvious comparison is basketball's Harlem Globetrotters, but the Bananas' opponents aren't the Washington Generals.
- Just ask Tailgaters catcher Taj Porter, whose team beat the Bananas 4-3 in front of 102,000 fans in College Station, Texas, in May.
- "I don't ever wanna lose," Porter said. "I don't care if I'm playing checkers or Banana Ball."
The stakes: The first Banana Bowl nearly lost its main attraction.
- Hosley helped save the Bananas' season with a clutch performance in the semifinals, which came down to a Showdown Tiebreaker.
How it works: Banana Ball has 11 unconventional rules. Among them:
- Rule 1: Games have a two-hour time limit.
- Rule 5: Batters can steal first base.
- Rule 8: If a fan catches a fly ball, it's an out.
If you go: Saturday's pregame festivities at Nats Park begin at 5:30pm, with the game starting at 7.
- The event is sold out, but seats may be available through the official ticket marketplace, where tickets are resold at face value without fees.
- You can also watch on YouTube and Disney+.