Savannah Bananas baseball coming to Nashville this weekend. What to know, including game rules
Baseball's version of the Harlem Globetrotters are coming to town this weekend.
The Savannah Bananas, a barnstorming baseball team that has become popular for its antics and TikTok videos, will bring their "Banana Ball" style of play to Nashville on Friday and Saturday against the Party Animals at First Horizon Park, the home of the Nashville Sounds.
"Banana Ball, an idea born from the team's owner Jesse Cole, doesn't play by traditional rules. For example, games are limited to two hours, players aren't permitted to step out of the batter's box and also are forbidden to bunt, less they be ejected for even trying.
Here are four other things to know about the Bananas
Fun name of the game
In addition to players and umpires breaking into choreographed dance routines during games, other antics have included a pitcher pitching a ball that is on fire, a batter doing the splits while batting, a batter hitting while wearing stilts, a strikeout that took just over 20 seconds to complete and an outfielder catching a fly ball mid-backflip.
STAR GAZING: Former MLB players find 'pure joy' in return to baseball in Savannah with 'Banana Ball'
Who are the Party Animals?
A team assembled by the Bananas. Think Washington Generals to the Globetrotters.
Who has played for the Bananas?
Former big-league pitcher Bill "Spaceman" Lee has suited up and pitched for Savannah. He was 75 years old when he did. World Series champions Johnny Damon and Jonny Gomes, and Cy Young winner Jake Peavy have played for the team. Another World Series champ, Jonathan Papelbon, pitched in two games with the team while wearing a yellow kilt. Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench has served as first-base coach.
What are 'Banana Ball' rules?
Games are won by the number of innings won, not cumulative score.
Because of the two-hour time limit, a new inning cannot begin after 1 hour, 50 minutes have been played. The team with the most innings won when the time limit is reached, wins the game.
In addition to not being allowed to bunt, batter's also are not allowed to step out of the batter's box.
If a pitch gets by the catcher, a batter can steal first base.
There are no walks, but rather after four balls are reached, the player runs the bases until every infielder has touched the ball.
If a fan catches a foul ball, the batter is out.
Visits to the pitcher's mound are not allowed.
If a game is tied when the allotted time has been reached, the teams play sudden-death. A batter faces a pitcher, who has only one fielder behind him and his catcher in front of him. The object for the batter is to get around the bases before he is tagged out.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Savannah Bananas baseball coming to Nashville: Know the game rules, more
