Banana Ball. It sounds fun—and it is—but it’s also a masterclass in seeing your business from a fresh angle. The Savannah Bananas aren’t just a baseball team; they’ve reinvented the fan experience, putting people at the heart of the game in ways that even major league teams haven’t managed.

Fans First, Always

Jesse Cole, the team’s owner, started with a simple question: what do fans really want? He looked past tickets and concessions to the heart of the experience. By removing what fans hated and amplifying what they loved—fast-paced action, fun for all ages, music, engagement, and yes, great food—he created a sport that feels as much like theater as baseball.

Bold Moves, Big Impact

Jesse’s approach wasn’t safe. He sold his house to fund the team, renamed them the Savannah Bananas, and leaned into playful branding. Players dance, grandparents cheer as Banana Nanas, babies get a moment in the spotlight, and even the rules bend to keep the game moving. Fans aren’t passive—they vote, they challenge calls, they join the fun.

Lessons for Any Business

Banana Ball teaches us that innovation is about heart, not just strategy:

• Make meaning as well as money.
  
• Build on what already works, don’t discard the core.
  
• Listen to your audience—they’ll tell you what matters.
  
• Inject joy and play into your work.
  
• Invite your customers to participate—they become part of the story.
  
• Create an ecosystem others want to join, even competitors.
  
  

The Savannah Bananas didn’t just change baseball—they changed the experience of being a fan. And that’s exactly the kind of thinking that can transform any business. Start by seeing your game from a different angle, honor what matters most, and reimagine the rest.