Jesse Cole to Launch Banana Ball Youth League

Jesse Cole, owner of the Savannah Bananas, has officially announced the formation of a Banana Ball youth league, an ambitious target to reach one million youth athletes across the United States.

The planned expansion aims to disrupt the traditional youth sports model by prioritising affordability and “fun” over the high-cost, hyper-competitive nature of modern travel baseball.

The reason behind the Banana Ball youth league plan addresses a widening gap in the youth market. Cole’s vision includes the creation of a Banana Ball World Series, intended to be a marquee event capable of drawing 30,000 fans.

This move follows the successful pilot of youth tournaments in Cleveland (2024) and Savannah (2025), the latter of which attracted nearly 800 participants from 44 states. By implementing an individual registration model rather than accepting pre-formed “elite” rosters, the organisation aims to democratise access to the sport’s high-energy format.

Commenting on the announcement, Savannah Banana owner, Cole, said: “Youth sports has its challenges. It’s expensive, overly competitive and often inconvenient for families.”

“It will take a lot of work to create something that is new and different. But we are ready for the challenge,” Cole stated in a strategic update. 

Banana Ball Youth League to Redefine Grassroots

The new league will highlight the unique “Banana Ball” ruleset, which has powered the professional team to a waitlist of over three million fans.

Youth games will feature “sprint walks,” no bunting, and the signature “fan-catch-is-an-out” rule, designed to keep pace-of-play under two hours.

Programs include camps led by professional Banana Ball players, focusing on trick plays and choreographed celebrations, elements traditionally discouraged in formal youth leagues.

Traditional MVP awards are replaced by accolades such as “Most Valuable Banana” and “Top Trickster,” rewarding creativity alongside athletic performance.

Director of baseball operations, Adam Virant, noting that while the league is a major pillar of the 2026 strategy, the organisation remains committed to “keeping the main event the main event” as it simultaneously launches Banana Ball as a standalone professional championship series this year.

Commercial Scaling and Market Entry

The transition from a tournament model to a full-scale national league marks a significant commercial escalation for Fans First Entertainment.

While the specific timeline for the nationwide rollout remains fluid, the youth league is being developed alongside the Banana Ball Championship League (BBCL), which will visit 75 stadiums across 45 states in 2026.

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