The (Improbable) History of the Savannah Bananas

Jesse Cole reinvented baseball, but it took him 10 years and millions of dollars to do it.
This is the origin story of @TheSavannahBananas and their founder.
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0:00 Intro
0:42 Jesse's Childhood
2:47 Gastonia Grizzlies
7:07 Struggles in Savannah
12:13 The End of the Bananas?
15:45 Outro

[@tylermwebb]

Thank you all for your support on this video (and my new channel) ❤ I actually cover the best sports/business stories every week in my newsletter. It takes just 5 minutes to read and releases every Friday. Subscribe and read for free: bottom-of-the-ninth.beehiiv.com/subscribe

[@darkraven5106]

Savannah resident here. I like many others was skeptical of the name when the Savannah Bananas first came, and was even not really a fan when I first went to a Banana Ball game. But after while the team has kind of grown on me along with the rest of the community. Thanks for sharing.

[@sonnyr435]

There should be a sports/comedy movie about Jesse Cole and the Savannah Banana, Just like "A League of Their Own" 😆

[@jmyler]

Just went to my first Bananaball game yesterday with the family and it was so great. I was one of the detractors when I first saw it. Being obsessed with baseball in it's purest form I thought this gimmick was sacrilegious but my tune has changed for sure. There's a place for both, and the bananaball place is an incredibly fun and entertaining place.

[@tylermwebb]

I love that, I can't wait to get to a game!

[@glenngay8163]

It was in Gwinnett Georgia wasn't it I went to! 😂

[@Halfstep2024]

Good lord I can’t imagine paying for an entire family to go. Tickets for just my wife and I were $900 😂

[@jmyler]

@@Halfstep2024we got the lottery tickets at face value. I think it was $30 a ticket

[@morganmonk6760]

I’ll always respect Jessie. He gave my dad a job while he was in college. Gastonia baseball is struggling now so I hope he comes back

[@MorgusVR]

I don't think expanding is for them is the best for longevity with going back to Gastonia. Bananas have a meme following and facebook look at me here status right now. It's very limited in being able to see them, exclusivity makes it more interesting. If it expands or other people make similar products, then even though it's the Ringling Bros of baseball circuses, it becomes just another product and the fad and crowds may begin to die quicker. It will be interesting to see how they keep the shelf life going for it though.

[@cole3363]

@@MorgusVR they are the Harlem Globetrotters of baseball. They will be around for a long time

[@iionccub365old]

The fact that KZbin served this legendary content to only a few thousand is insane

[@tylermwebb]

More sports-business deep-dives are coming!

[@Marthisdil]

when the poster, as of the time of my reply here, only has 70 subs....it's the algorithm for YT...

[@tylermwebb]

Goated algorithm

[@PlanetEarth3141]

KZbin put the add in my view two days ago. I was clueless but curiosity is my hook, do like a fish with bait a bit on the hook and watched the Bananas and Party Animals at Houston play to 41, 000 fans in the stands. I was stunned on a number of levels. The KZbin video had another 31 k online. Now before that game I had quit watching professional sports. It was not only boring but hate filled, filled with immature punks and over paid egotistical greed. Suddenly I had a few hours of sports that were comical, competitive AND polite between two teams and with very cool and innovative rules. The fans were totally into about a dozen things simultaneously. I now have one, brand new sport worth watching. Now this channel and video brings it all together. I get it. I'm supporting this league with my long KZbin knowledge and history. I signed up for this video channel just now and the channel that broadcasted that MLB Houston game. Go 🍌.

[@CSDonohue11]

Facts

[@jtd8719]

My daughter introduced the rest of our fam to Banana Ball when they were on ESPN last season. We now are pretty much all waiting to see if we can get tix for the current season when they visit our city. And I'm watching the game streams on their YT channel, as well. I love that the Bananas and Party Animals players are so openly supportive of each other on the field, which is understandable as while there is a competition between the teams, it's just for bragging rights as they are all playing to deliver the overall fan experience. I wasn't aware of the history and appreciate Jesse Cole's vision, dedication and wish him and the organization continued success. Thanks for bringing his story to more fans, Tyler.

[@tylermwebb]

Thanks for the thoughtful comment! Jesse is a true visionary, I hope he goes down in baseball history as one of it's most-genius figures.

[@OneEyedGhoul84]

good luck the scalpers have made it near impossible, I've been trying to go to a game for 3 years now and that's trying to get tickets before the season even starts. Hopefully they get it figured out cause right now its too expensive

[@nova-bb6tl]

@@OneEyedGhoul84cheers to that!

[@camshaflober3691]

We have been on the waiting list forever

[@stewartdillard7199]

Jared Orton is from my hometown and I went to school with his wife. He was working for our local ball club, and everyone was questioning his decision to head to Savannah; glad he did and that it turned out a success.

[@charleneo1934]

I’m a random person from Singapore which is a country where baseball doesn’t exist. Thank you for this video, it’s so well made and I’m now a fan

[@tylermwebb]

that's pretty sweet

[@okkcomputer]

hello random person from Singapore, im pretty sure there's gotta be some sort of baseball in your country,, you'd be surprised!

[@mr.worldwide668]

You're going places, dude. This video is both very informative and very enjoyable to watch, along with a very professional production level.

[@tylermwebb]

Much appreciated!

[@leguns3295]

@@tylermwebb but you won't respond to Trevor Bauer after he commented on a video you made of him.

[@theresestonecipher7406]

This content deserves so much more attention. Engaging and educational, gotta love it.

[@tylermwebb]

More coming! Thanks so much.

[@XS3MT3X]

Incredibly high production feel to this video! Let’s catch a Savannah game, I’ll buy 😉

[@joshewert13]

Seeing the bananas in person is a massive bucket list goal. Played baseball in Vancouver for the past 25 years. Love how it’s just great vibes all around.

[@k9o3w]

As someone who lived in that part of GA, i can 100% assure you the city was pushing against the ballpark because somebody in the local govt wanted the land for something. Nothing above board, thats for damn sure.

[@jrockn77]

Thank you for this breakdown. I've been super curious on how the Bananas became a thing. I've watched a few of their live broadcasts on youtube and the games are just fun to watch. Excited to see where he takes this concept next.

[@tylermwebb]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Gabriel99255]

The frick this guy is severely underrated

[@tylermwebb]

We rise together!

[@footballxtv-ob9ek]

I am honestly so exited for this channel to go viral thanks to this ELITE content🎉

[@tylermwebb]

You’re talking us too the moon 🚀

[@CharisaCupell]

I can't wait to see this. Love watching all of their cute videos. They need to come out to Bradenton, Florida LECOM Park!!!

[@splashhhhhhhhhh]

Beautiful video. Excellent editing. I don’t comment often but something so underrated deserves it. I hope this video keeps your motivation for writing even more bangers❤

[@tylermwebb]

We’re coming up 📈

[@Evelyn-xi5kn]

This story needs to be a “Greatest Showman” style movie musical! It would be so amazing.

[@egret4393]

Amazing video! Seeing this video and your current channel growth, I really do hope you go places. I have my own business and seeing this video really hit close to home, you're definitely going to make it on KZbin ❤

[@tylermwebb]

Thank you so much ❤️

[@serafinacosta7118]

Good editing and narrative. Pierced great footage.

[@tylermwebb]

Much appreciated!

[@SupImLefty]

First vid from a 200+ sub youtuber that I actually enjoyed. Good shit man, looking forward to seeing you in my recommended again!

[@tylermwebb]

New video next Thursday!

[@CHILLknowsfootball]

Really good video. Your channel should start growing pretty fast if you keep releasing content this good. 130 subscribers?...extremely underrated.

[@tylerwebbshorts]

That’s the plan. New video dropping next week 👀

[@scottbergman8662]

Great breakdown on this unique team. I found out about them on KZbin and attempted to get tickets when they went to the west coast. I am now really wanting to see Banana Ball in action.

[@tylermwebb]

Thank you! These are tough tickets to get 🫢

[@Graner31]

guaranteed his dad is a millionaire

[@marine76a]

Loser alert.

[@nova-bb6tl]

This was such an impressively made video. Truly and fully (*pause). Subbed.

[@tylerwebbshorts]

🫶 new video next week

[@pedroruiz4716]

bruh this is awesome i just followed your page, got 221k views on your video and i never knew about the hardship in the beginning, congrats to you and your page you did a awesome job with the video, but when you mention the team left with all the equipment and the walls, now i just want success for him and his wife , that is awesome man

[@wojciechbieniek4029]

This is so far the best breakdown video I've watched, and I'm so happy to subscribe so early, because boy, you're about to blow up ❤

[@tylermwebb]

Let’s hope so!!

[@AlexDanielCPhT]

This was a good solid informative video, Mr. Webb! No filler, nothing tangential. Just straight-ahead information. Well done!!! As an older fellow, I'd like to see a deep dive about the San Diego Chicken.

[@user-fv5de1di5o]

Keep up the great work, fantastic video and info, very underrated

[@tylerwebbshorts]

Only up from here 📈

[@greenmountainhellhound6835]

Passion like this is rare, inspiring, and needed. MLB marketing team should hire him, make him boss, and get out of the way.

[@joeymerrell8585]

I caught a game last year in sugarland tx thanks to being friend with the dancing umpire and one of the pitchers being a friend also. It was a great fun time and even the players meeting the fans and signing autographs after the game out front was just incredible. We will definitely catch another one

[@Sirstupiditygames]

Amazing video! Not a baseball guy at all but you had me hooked top to bottom, keep up the great content!

[@tylermwebb]

That means so much, thank you!

[@Dalecon]

Wow, new channel, two great baseball vids. Keep em coming!

[@coachrac]

Amazing job on this video brother!!

[@tylermwebb]

This means so much, RAC! Keep crushing it with the Bananas (and say hi to Andy Archer for me, he spent a few summers with my family when he played in the Northwoods League!)

[@loganmatelan7860]

This was so nice. Just a great feel good vid in trying times. Thank you!

[@ninjadog360]

this is a great video! keep going! (180th sub btw 💪)

[@tylermwebb]

Thanks so much, there will never but another subscriber 180!

[@extragoogleaccount6061]

Thanks! I clicked on a Bananas livestream on YT here the other day without having any idea what it was and while it was very entertaining, I needed this explanation for sure! I had no idea what was going on, but everyone seemed to be having fun,

[@WadeHartley]

Cool video, saw them play in Tampa this year! Great info on the history of their owner too, I'm now an even bigger fan.

[@tylermwebb]

Lucky!

[@JustPuttitin]

You are going to make it! New Sub here. Keep it up, this is good content!

[@tylermwebb]

More sports stories like this coming 🔜

[@tagnut1952]

Great job Tyler. Love the Banana's, and you covered it well!

[@PlanetEarth3141]

😊KZbin put the add in my view two days ago. I was clueless but curiosity is my hook, do like a fish with bait a bit on the hook and watched the Bananas and Party Animals at Houston play to 41, 000 fans in the stands. I was stunned on a number of levels. The KZbin video had another 31 k online. Now before that game I had quit watching professional sports. It was not only boring but hate filled, filled with immature punks and over paid egotistical greed. Suddenly I had a few hours of sports that were comical, competitive AND polite between two teams and with very cool and innovative rules. The fans were totally into about a dozen things simultaneously. I now have one, brand new sport worth watching. Now this channel and video brings it all together. I get it. I'm supporting this league with my long KZbin knowledge and history. I signed up for this video channel just now and the channel that broadcasted that MLB Houston game. Go 🍌

[@myrnahuichapan7624]

Great job, good presentation. All the best to you. Keep up the good work.

[@tylermwebb]

Thank you very much!

[@myrnahuichapan7624]

Banana Ball, is needed now!

[@EliteBBQSmokers]

Man, great video and good job. As a creator myself I know how much work this took. Keep it up.

[@DoubleA3]

Great job on the video. I'm now subscriber #78!

[@tylermwebb]

One closer to 1M!

[@cgrillobsb]

This vid ROCKS.

[@tylermwebb]

Do you work for the team?

[@cgrillobsb]

​@@tylermwebb I did! Back home to finish school at the moment, but it was an awesome experience. Amazing organization and people.

[@joewilson5452]

They're like the baseball version of the Harlem Globetrotters.

[@justinsingleton6067]

No idea if you can blend this production quality with more great ideas, but I'm here to give you a chance. If not, thanks for this. Baseball content is so hard to find, and this was fresh, fun, and professional.

[@tylermwebb]

I'm working on doing across as many sports and interesting topics as possible!

[@winkie3176]

I didnt look at your channel before watching. But after watching I thought you had a few thousand subs man. Keep up the great work

[@tylermwebb]

That makes me feel so good! this is only the start!

[@travisallen2093]

A live game showed up in my KZbin suggestions the other day and I wasn't really sure what to make of the whole thing. I had never heard of the Savannah Bananas. This cleared my confusion. Thank you.

[@tremedy9876]

Great content. Keep doing this.

[@tylermwebb]

New video tomorrow 👀

[@barrysoetoro7835]

Great content! Excellent presentation. Subbed.

[@tylermwebb]

Just the beginning!

[@andrewbarbour7475]

Great content! I immediately went to see how many subscribers... thinking it was going to be in the 100,000s.. 533?? Keep up the great content and you will explode!

[@tylermwebb]

Thanks for saying that! We’ll get there… one by one. I appreciate you!

[@jackrobbins963]

I spent two ball seasons in Savannah in the late 1970's. Most of us, as a band (little Alfonzo and the fabulous bootleggers) went to games on Sunday Nights. We played music again on Mondays, but the Single A Atlanta Braves minor league team played on Mondays before we headed to River Street to play Free Bird at least once a set. Grayson Stadium was mostly empty. The fans who attended liked the games, a good time was had by most. Monday nights featured $0.25 hot dogs and draft beers, and so a good time was had by even more fans on those games. I love Jessie's outlook and marketing approach. Keep up the good work, and help keep the great game changing with the times.

[@Qdobafett]

Amazing video quality. Good editing and flow and use of music. Great audio quality too.

[@tylermwebb]

Thank you for noticing!

[@Qdobafett]

@@tylermwebb I thought you were established it was so good. Happy to be sub 491 and can’t wait to see this blow up. You should definitely do other independent baseball teams of note.

[@sleek86]

this team is the reason i follow baseball these days. absolute class and fun

[@chettmanly]

great video brody!

[@tylermwebb]

thanks brody

[@ford_drivingbuilder4225]

great video. i love banana ball. it has been a long time since i have cared about a sport. i can sit back with the family and enjoy 2+ hours of good commentary and an entertaining game.

[@tylermwebb]

Thanks so much!

[@PracticalPerry]

Jesse Cole sacrified a lot to get where he is. Jesse took big risks. Jesse put people, fans first, without losing quality baseball play. Jesse dramatically reinvented baseball, including fan involvement: Bananball Rule: fan in stadium catches ball can call an out; Limit game to two hours max [kind of like a movie at the theater e.g.]; Make the tickets and the food affordable, all of which is genious. In return, dramatically increase attendance and make money, actually make more money. Jesse did not adhere to the typical business model for professional sports or for a business period; Thank goodness he didn't. Jesse brings joy. Don't get too greedy, and you can succeed. Thank you Jesse for helping bring joy to the world. So glad you are successful in so many ways now Jesse. ; ) I can't wait to attend a game and buy a tshirt.

[@Nawlins5]

They were just here playing in Baton Rouge at LSU. It was totally nuts!

[@glenngay8163]

Went to my first game it was so fun even got eight autographs and met Jesse!

[@tylermwebb]

I hope he’s as nice in person as he seems!

[@glenngay8163]

Oh he is!

[@Lantana1]

Great job, Tyler!

[@tylermwebb]

thank you!

[@notsosilentmajority1]

What a great "American" story. Hard work and sacrifice pays off. The Savannah Bananas are baseball's Harlem Globetrotters. Love it!!

[@justincampos8715]

Dude nice video

[@tylerwebbshorts]

Thanks so much ❤

[@joeldykman7591]

Jessie Cole realized what most people forget, all sports are in the entertainment business first and foremost. If the sideshow is needed to keep the fans engaged, then so be it.

[@wildwing94ckan]

Great breakdown! Any chance you could do a similar video for the Party Animals? They seem just as talented and entertaining, but don't get any of the credit the Bananas do. Makes me wonder if they are guys that tried out for the Bananas, but were just a step below what they were looking for, so they got assigned to the Party Animals.

[@tylermwebb]

Their story is largely the same. In everything I've seen, Jesse and his team assigns people to the Party Animals based on personality. I don't think they're "lesser" than the Bananas, just meant to be a different brand.

[@jordankendall2705]

They're definitely not the lesser team. The Party Animals won last year's tour winning the last 9 games. They're as talented, if not more talented than the Bananas. They're the "bad guys" but not a villain.

[@Izzy_Miami_Planes]

Guys. This video only has 8.7k views. This video should be in the hundreds of thousands. YOU can fix this, by liking the video! Only 200 likes? Come on guys!

[@tylermwebb]

I didn’t say it but…

[@eddiecairns]

Im a baseball fan from Scotland (yes we exist!!), i love the ethos of the bananas, my local soccer team, Clydebank fc, has a fans first ethos, albeit no marching bands etc, but im keen to support people pushing boundaries. Id love to see the bananas one day, but its very hard to plan a trip around ticket availability.

[@TwoTechnics76]

Bobby Thomson was born in Scotland, "the Staten island Scot" responsible for "the shot heard around the world" one of the most famous game winning HR to win the pennant for the NY Giants in 1951 arguably one of the most famous plays in Baseball history! 👌 👏

[@eddiecairns]

@@TwoTechnics76 yep, there are 4 baseball diamonds in Scotland, the one in Edinburgh is called Bobby Thomson field.

[@daelmonaszarkarias3486]

Very well done, nice job

[@charleshulsey3103]

I live in Savannah, been to several bananas games and a few sand gnats games. Good entertainment value, super fun.

[@ModelTrain26]

Love ur content

[@tylermwebb]

Thanks man, more coming!

[@elc7795]

What a cool breakdown of the history of the Bananas!

[@tylermwebb]

Trying my best out here! More coming.

[@itsAustinGreen]

incredibly well done video

[@AidenMcIntyreBaseball]

Absolutely love your storytelling👏🏼

[@tylermwebb]

Hey, you found me! Thank you

[@AidenMcIntyreBaseball]

@@tylermwebb my algorithm always finds you haha

[@deanbrown1368]

I really wish banana ball will start more teams and become a nation wide sport. It is seriously so much fun to watch and attend. The games are way better than normal baseball and the guys who play it are arguably just as good as MLB players.

[@wesplayz4556]

Subbed before he blows up

[@tylermwebb]

Welcome 🤝

[@bd1zzle]

Sooooo this is how my nephew got to see them play in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. He got a cool jersey and ball.

[@GlassFortress31]

Great video

[@tylermwebb]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@PoemzATtheePark]

Did enjoy the video great job boss

[@tylermwebb]

thank you so much!

[@Cam_Productions]

Remember me when you become famous because this content is high quality for only 100 subs.

[@tylermwebb]

Broooo thank you for saying that! You're here early!

[@MooMooMath]

Great video. Thanks

[@tylermwebb]

thanks sm!

[@No_Requirement420]

This is going to be a huge channel one day soon

[@tylermwebb]

Thanks so much for saying that ❤️

[@tekn0lust]

Going to see them in Albuquerque in April. Driving more than 13 hours just to see them. ⚾⚾⚾

[@Redneck_Renaissance]

I just signed up for their waiting list!

[@Sky_Watchers]

Amazing video!

[@aqua2046]

I thought this vid would have more then 2K views u put a lot of work into this

[@tylermwebb]

we're getting there

[@johnferris9526]

Thanks for the info

[@rebeccasedgwick9851]

We’ve tried for 2 years to get tickets in Indianapolis. Both years we’ve been in the lottery, just not gotten the opportunity to purchase tickets. They sure are fun to watch on You Tube! Maybe next year 😢

[@Jeff-ye6so]

the bananas and the party animals have the best energy i've ever seen in any sport, I'm glad to see their success

[@cherylclark3761]

What a story! I'm hooked, I'm a savannah banana fan for life!❤🍌 🍌 🍌

[@WheelzGaming88]

You did a fantastic job putting this piece together and it's a shame the algorithm hasn't spread it to more viewers

[@tylermwebb]

we're getting there! slowly but surely!

[@michelleferrera3739]

Became a fan in 2023. I’ve been two games in Tampa twice and going to Miami and the cruise in October 💛🍌🥎

[@davidbrooks1724]

great video !!!!!!!

[@tylermwebb]

Thank you!

[@Drew-it7or]

Pocket watching bro in the thumbnail is crazy

[@chrissteinhilber8839]

Great story and marketing genius! I love the game but it is hard for the casual fan to sit for 9 sometimes very long innings…Well done!

[@andrewj9831]

Some MLB games I attended, I would rather watch paint dry.

[@dmacpher]

Commenting for the algo! To the moon with you, this is insanely good content

[@tylermwebb]

Thank you so much!

[@andrewj9831]

I tell everyone they are the "Harlem Globetrotters" of baseball. He also has a 3rd team now, that I'm thinking he will intermix with the two regular ones. So I see a bigger travel schedule, more games at MLB stadiums. Also a BIG note is his wife and him are active Foster parents and parents themselves. Jesse is right baseball is boring to watch...and he makes it fun to watch

[@CSDonohue11]

Def got My Sub , My Brother 🙏

[@tylermwebb]

let's goooooo! appreciate you!

[@Coolcoinsandnotes]

So he made it, great video