Savannah Bananas Announce 2026 Tour And Two New Teams
Things are about to go bananas. On October 9 in Savannah, GA, the Savannah Bananas, a barnstorming baseball team, held their “City Selection Show” to announce their 2026 tour, the first year of the Banana Ball Championship League.
In addition, two new teams were announced, the Loco Beach Coconuts and the Indianapolis Clowns.
The Coconuts are a beach-themed team that was introduced with the coach of the team, Mark Crocco, carried out onto the stage. The Coconuts will primarily headline on the East Coast, including Gillette Stadium on August 28 and 29 against the Bananas. Additionally, former Red Sox player Shane Victorino was announced as the “Primetime Coach,” which means he will manage important games.
The Clowns, a revival of the Negro Leagues team that was a barnstorming team before the Bananas were. The Clowns lasted from around the 1930s until 1989, and were the last Negro Leagues team remaining. The Clowns will be coached by Errick Fox, and their prime time coach will be former Phillies icon Ryan Howard. The Clowns will headline in Indianapolis on May 15 and 16 against the Party Animals and will headline across the country, including in Hartford, CT, against the Party Animals on July 23, 24, and 25.
The Clowns will also play at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, AL, on September 19 and 20 against the Coconuts. That place is significant as it was the host of the Birmingham Black Barons, a Negro League team, and also where nearly 200 Hall of Famers played, managed, or umpired.
As for the other four teams, the Savannah Bananas, the Party Animals, the Firefighters, and the Texas Tailgaters, they will headline various other stadiums. All six combined will have played in all but 5 states in 2026.
The Tour will kick off at Florida State University on February 26, 27, and 28. In April, the Banana Ball Open from February 26 to April 11, will feature all six teams. The winner gets an automatic playoff spot, with the other three decided among a 50-game regular season from April 24 to September 27.
