The Savannah Bananas are playing three sold-out games in Wisconsin this week. Here's what to know.

Hannah Kirby, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Updated ·5 min read

The Savannah Bananas — who achieved viral fame for their unique take on baseball and fan-engaging exhibitions — are coming to Wisconsin this week for three sold-out games.

Here's what to know, including who the Bananas are, what they do and where they're going to be.

What do the Savannah Bananas do?

The Savannah Bananas play "Banana Ball," of course.

It started as an idea to make baseball games more fun and more action-packed in a two-hour time limit, according to the Savannah Morning News.

So, what is "Banana Ball" exactly? It's a competitive, unscripted version of baseball that includes a number of rule alterations, including:

  • Whichever team gets more points in a given inning is awarded one point for that inning. But every run counts in the last inning.

  • After 1 hour and 50 minutes of play, a new inning can't start.

  • Hitters get a strike if they step outside of the box.

  • No bunting because it "sucks," and no mound visits either.

  • Hitters can steal first base on any pitch of an at-bat.

  • When a player walks, he's invited to keep sprinting around the bases until every player on defense touches the ball.

  • Any foul ball caught by a fan is an out.

  • Extra innings features a pitcher, catcher and one fielder, and the batter must try to round the bases before he's tossed out.

Expect lots of dancing, over-the-top scoring celebrations and so much yellow.

Who are the Savannah Bananas?

The Bananas started out as a collegiate summer league amateur team, playing in the Coastal Plain League from 2016 to 2022. They won the CPL championship in 2016, '21 and '22.

In 2022, the Bananas announced that they would leave the league to play "Banana Ball" year-round, the organization's website says.

The Bananas went viral, packing stadiums and attracting millions of followers on social media with their wacky antics before, during and after games.

The professional travel version of the team, The Premier Team, is made up of former college and pro standouts with a sprinkling of former Major League Baseball players. Here's the roster.

Members of the Savannah Bananas baseball team dance between innings against the Party Animals during a baseball game on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, at Principal Park in Des Moines.
Members of the Savannah Bananas baseball team dance between innings against the Party Animals during a baseball game on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, at Principal Park in Des Moines.

Why are the Savannah Bananas coming to Wisconsin?

Wisconsin is one of the stops on the Bananas' 2023 Banana Ball World Tour. The tour, which wraps up this month, includes 33 cities in 21 states.

When are the Savannah Bananas coming to Wisconsin? Where will they be playing?

The Bananas will be playing at Franklin Field, 7035 S. Ballpark Drive, Franklin, Sept. 8-9.

They have a game at 7 p.m. Friday, and a doubleheader Saturday, with game times at 1 and 7 p.m.

For the 7 p.m. games, the parking lots will open at 3:45 p.m. and the ballpark's gates will open at 5:30 p.m. For Saturday's afternoon game, lots will open at 10 a.m. and gates will open at 11:30 a.m. at the Traditional Box Office Entrance.

Franklin Field is a 4,000-seat stadium that's home to the Milwaukee Milkmen and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee baseball program.

Who will be the Savannah Bananas' opponents be at Franklin Field?

The Bananas usually travel with another squad, the Party Animals, that serves as its foe.

Can I attend the game?

All three of the Bananas' Wisconsin games are sold out, along with the rest of their World Tour.

According to the Milkmen's website, the Bananas' games at Franklin Field are general admission. If someone has a "Hospitality Area" ticket, they are to check in at the "Hospitality Welcome Tent" before trying to enter the stadium gates.

If you didn't score tickets but still want to catch the action, World Tour games are livestreamed on the Bananas' YouTube channel.

The Umbrella Bar, 7900 S. Ballpark Drive, at Ballpark Commons will also be showing all three games on its big screen.

If you're attending the game, here are some things to know

Per the event's webpage:

  • Franklin Field is cashless.

  • No carry-ins are allowed. Food, drinks and merch will be available for purchase. Diaper bags, strollers and other accommodations for small children are permitted.

  • Tailgating is not permitted. But if you're looking for something to do before or after the game, Ballpark Commons businesses will be offering unique specials, according to the event's webpage said.

How to get to the games and how parking will work

According to the event's webpage, parking costs $20 per vehicle per game or $40 for all-day parking via electronic payment only.

Attendees are to enter the complex at 76th Street. They will be given a parking slip to display on their dash. It will be color-coded and have an expiration time. Vehicles in the lot past the expiration time will be ticketed and/or towed at the vehicle owner’s expense, the webpage warned.

Parking is limited and expected to fill up quickly, the webpage noted. Here are some alternatives to driving to the ballpark:

  • Ride share drop-off and pick-up can be accessed using the Rawson Street entrance to Ballpark Commons via Ballpark Drive.

  • A bike rack is located at the Main Entrance. If overflow is needed, people can secure their bikes on fencing.

Where can I find more info on the Bananas and their Franklin Field games?

For more info on the Bananas, visit thesavannahbananas.com. For more info on the Bananas' games at Franklin Field, visit milwaukeemilkmen.com/bananaball.

JR Radcliffe of the Journal Sentinel staff and USA Today and Nathan Dominitz of the Savannah Morning News contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Savannah Bananas playing sold-out games at Franklin Field in Wisconsin