Savannah Bananas foster love for the game, create community connections in Durham stop

Packed together like sardines, 10,000 fans waited to charge into Durham Bulls Athletic Park as “The Greatest Show” from “The Greatest Showman” blared. A few players from the Savannah Bananas crept onto staircase railings that overlooked the entrance, seemingly in awe of the crowd gathered to watch them play.

Confetti flew into the crowd, the gates opened, and thousands vying for a seat to the so-called “Greatest Show in Sports” spilled into the stadium.

Durham’s wait for its turn on the Banana Ball World Tour was over, and for this two-day event, the Bananas had a more up their sleeve than usual.

“The guys are really ready for anything,” Team owner Jesse Cole said. “We’ve been all over the country, but to play in a ballpark like this that has history is special.”

Players were on the field rehearsing dances, making TikToks and reiterating the organization’s motto — Fans First — long before the gates opened. Despite the heavy air and humidity, the organization maintained its commitment to the motto.

The staff was doing elaborate handshakes, high-fiving guests, smiling. This organization has been traveling all around the country since February, but no one looked travel-weary.

“It’s unlike anything we could’ve ever expected or imagined to see the response from every city,” Cole said. “But now to be back in North Carolina, where my professional journey started, and to see the response from fans in North Carolina every night is pretty special.”

Opening-night surprise

The first big surprise came on opening night, during the announcement of the starting lineups.

Even the players were shocked when “Jackson Olson” came across the speakers.

Olson, typically a fan favorite, took a ball to the face in Kannapolis, NC, two days earlier. Bananas athletic trainers worked together to get him to Durham, where he then had jaw surgery Friday morning. He — of course — shared the experience on social media.

Roughly six hours later, there he was in the Bananas’ dugout, making sure the fans who came to see him got their wish. He wasn’t able to stay and greet many fans like the players typically do, but just being there allowed Olson to make an impact.

“I did not expect to see him today,” Bananas player Danny Hosley said. “But seeing him and seeing that he’s going to be back soon, and hearing that the surgery went well, it was good to see him.”

Olson stayed in the Bananas dugout for the game, even posting a few photos and videos on social media. Having just had surgery, none of the players expected Olson to come, but after hundreds of fans asked about the third baseman online, it was a welcome surprise.

“It gave us such good energy and good spirit,” Bananas right-handed pitcher Christian Dearman said Friday. “And we really needed it to pull out that win.”

Fostering a love for the game

As the Bananas and Party Animals continued their elaborate run celebrations, the biggest “Fan First” moment came later in the sixth inning.

Two fans, Traci and Justin Wessel, were brought onto the field. Team owner Emily Cole shared the story of a teacher and her husband taking in children as fosters, and that it meant so much to honor them because she and her husband, Jesse, have foster children themselves.

“Every home game now we honor a local foster family,” Emily said. “Our goal is to celebrate what they’re doing, so that other people see what heroes they are and hopefully are intrigued and say, ‘Hey, how can I help to do something like that?’”

Emily’s recognition was a part of a nonprofit organization called Bananas Foster, that helps spread awareness and inspire other families to consider fostering. Traci and Justin were there just for a fun game of Banana Ball — something Justin said he’d been trying to see in person for a few years.

He had said it was already a big night, even before being brought onto the field.

“I’ve been following them for about 18 months,” Justin said. “So this really was a big day, and it’s awesome.”

Both the Bananas and Party Animals cleared the dugouts to give Traci and Justin a group hug in front of the mound. Emily said the players on both teams have fully bought into the Bananas Fostering efforts, and the Coles’ foster children are close with the team.

“It’s an amazing experience that we get to be a part of,” Danny Hosley said. “They’re doing unbelievable work for this entire operation and it’s just a really cool thing to see. These families and foster kids are amazing people that we get to meet and take care of for the day.”

Lasting connections

The Savannah Bananas poured everything they had into creating a fun experience for fans. Handing out flowers, dancing and everything in between. It didn’t matter if someone wore a Bananas shirt or a Party Animals shirt, everyone had fun.

The connections to Durham don’t end with the two games. Over the next few days, both the team accounts and individual player accounts will slowly share videos of fun moments from throughout the weekend. Jesse even hinted at the re-creation of a scene from “Bull Durham.”

The self-proclaimed “Greatest Show in Sports” did everything it could to prove its love for fans.

“It’s obviously the best part,” the Party Animals’ Chase Achuff said. “They bring so much energy every night. And just the hospitality we get in different cities, and the buy-ins we get from the organizations that help us.”

This story was originally published July 17, 2023 at 6:00 AM.