Banana Ball Returning To Utah In August 2026
Oct 11, 2025, 4:27 PM
CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA - APRIL 26: Savannah Bananas perform a routine during a game against the Party Animals at Memorial Stadium on April 26, 2025 in Clemson, South Carolina. A record-breaking crowd of 80,000 reportedly attended the game, the first of ten Savannah Bananas baseball games to be broadcast this summer by ESPN, and the first of three Banana Ball games to be played in football stadiums. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Fast-paced fan-favorite Banana Ball is heading to Utah for the second time in 2026 as part of a 45-state, 75 ballpark tour.
The Party Animals face the Firefighters at The Ballpark at America First Square in a three-game series, played from Thursday, August 13, through Saturday, August 15, 2026.
The Banana Ball Championship League is ready to come alive in 2026😎 pic.twitter.com/oX3ZTMXIhh
— Savannah Bananas (@TheSavBananas) October 10, 2025
“We are thrilled to host the Party Animals and Firefighters at The Ballpark at America First Square,” said Ty Wardle, general manager of the Salt Lake Bees. “It will be a fun and unforgettable weekend of baseball and entertainment for fans of all ages. We can’t wait to showcase the excitement of these teams and create another memorable experience at our new ballpark.”
Tickets will be available by lottery. Fans can join the lottery list here through October 31, 2025.
Enrollment in the list does not guarantee the opportunity to purchase tickets, as a random drawing will be conducted before the event to select participants. Individuals who are selected will then have the opportunity to complete the verification process to secure available tickets.
Standard tickets start at $35, while meet-and-greet tickets start at $100.
Banana Ball Rules
The first rule to remember about Banana Ball is… THERE ARE NO RULES!!! Well, not quite. More accurately, baseball purists might not recognize the version of baseball being played. For the Bananas, the game is about the show, and the show is all about the fans.
“A game where baseball meets fun. Fans first. Entertainment always.”
Rule 1: Win the Inning, Get the Point
Like a golf skins game where players count the holes they win instead of strokes, each Banana Ball inning counts as a point. It doesn’t matter whether a team scores 14 runs or four in an inning; the highest total in each frame wins a point.
There’s one catch, though. Every run scored in the final inning gets a point.
Rule 2: Two-Hour Time Limit
Did we mention a fan-friendly atmosphere? Anyone with dinner plans or a screaming toddler will be happy to know that no new inning can start after two hours.
These are the eleven Rules of Banana Ball. Which is your favorite?🍌 pic.twitter.com/iSxBrzxKgQ
— Savannah Bananas (@TheSavBananas) February 22, 2024
Rule 3: No Stepping Out
A hitter stepping out of the batter’s box results in an automatic strike.
Rule 4: NO BUNTING!!!
“Bunting sucks,” reads the Banana Ball media guide. Rather than complain, they solved the problem. If a hitter bunts, they are ejected from the game.
Rule 5: Batters Can Steal First
Don’t look away because batters have a new way to reach first. The hitter can attempt to steal first base on any pitch of an at-bat.
Rule 6: No Walks Allowed
There is no dull moment in Banana Ball, including the dreaded ball-four walk. Rather than a walk, any time a pitcher throws ball four, it becomes a sprint between the batter and the defense. The batter can advance as many bases as they want, while every defensive player on the field must touch the ball before it becomes live.
Rule 7: No Mound Visits Allowed
Know your role, coach. Players play, pitchers pitch, and coaches stay where they belong, in the dugout.
Rule 8: Fan Foul Ball Catch? OUT!
Bring your gloves to Smith’s Ballpark and become part of the game. If a fan catches a foul ball, the batter is out.
Couldn't write up the last out of the game any better than this 🤷♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️
Banana Ball Rule #8: If a fan catches a foul ball, it's an out. pic.twitter.com/Bdjg20MCZX
— Savannah Bananas (@TheSavBananas) July 12, 2023
Rule 9: Showdown Tiebreaker
If the game is tied following the two-hour time limit, the contest will enter a Showdown Tiebreaker. In each Showdown, the hitter must score. If they score, it’s worth one point.
Rule 10: Banana Ball Challenge
This is another chance for fans to get involved. Both teams and the crowd will have the opportunity to challenge a ruling on the field.
BEST Showdown In Banana Ball History!
Showdown Rules:
Teams take turns trying for an inside-the-park home run.Round 1: Pitcher + Infielder vs. Batter
Round 2: Pitcher vs. Batter
Round 3+: Pitcher + Fielder vs. Batter (bases loaded)Over-the-fence HR = Instant win! pic.twitter.com/8PacMErBlO
— Jesse Cole (@YellowTuxJesse) February 15, 2025
Rule 11: Golden Batter Rule
Once per game, a team may send any hitter in the lineup to bat in any spot.
Take us with you wherever you go.
Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
