Robert Anthony Cruz, left, performs with teammates during a Savannah Bananas game. (Photo courtesy of X/@TheSavBananas)
Arguably the biggest draw in baseball right now isn’t a major league team. Packing out football stadiums and garnering millions of views on social media, the Savannah Bananas are redefining the fan experience and sports entertainment as a whole.
Part baseball team, part traveling entertainment troupe, they’ve drawn comparisons to the Harlem Globetrotters and have sold out every single home game since 2016. They now travel the country as part of their “Banana Ball World Tour,” drawing tens of thousands at each stop.
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ESPN is even in on the action now, broadcasting 10 games this season to go along with a five-part original series called “Bananaland,” which takes fans behind the scenes.
Team owner Jesse Cole, known for his signature yellow tuxedo and showman persona, has built an organization centered on joy and family-friendly entertainment. And while not explicitly branded as a Christian team, the Bananas have made space for faith to flourish.
Several players share about their faith regularly, including outfielder Robert Anthony Cruz, a former Washington Nationals prospects who recently posted about a worship night outside of Grayson Stadium, where the Bananas play home games. The event drew hundreds of people of all ages to hear music and testimonies from some of the players, as well as a short message from Cruz.
“First ever player-led worship night outside Grayson Stadium home of the Savannah Bananas. May Christ be magnified,” he posted on Instagram.
Founded in 2016, the Bananas competed as a collegiate summer baseball team in the Coastal Plain League’s West division until 2022, winning three Petitt Cup championships (2016, ’21 and ’22). In 2018, they began playing exhibition games outside of the CPL season under the Banana Ball format, and in 2023, the team moved entirely to exhibition games against their partner touring teams: the Party Animals, the Firefighters, and the Texas Tailgaters.
Part of the Bananas’ appeal is their all-ages accessibility. Kids come for the dancing players and trick plays. Parents come for the clean fun. But more and more, they’re leaving having encountered something holy.
The team has been seen on social media dancing in the clubhouse to worship music and on the field to Forrest Frank’s song, “Your Way’s Better.” Many players post Scripture on social media, and Cruz occasionally posts videos of him praying over the stadium prior to games.
Outfielder David Meadows posted a video of his walk-up song, “Praise” by Elevation Worship, and said one of his favorite parts of playing for the Bananas is “getting to proclaim the name of Jesus with thousands.”
Last season, some players committed to meet every week for a Bible study, and recently the gathering brought in more than 40 people, including members of the partner touring teams.
“There’s nothing that crazy happening here — we are just broken people who find great joy and peace and rest knowing that our lives are not about us,” Cruz said in an Instagram video. “The world doesn’t revolve around us. Speaking for myself, the more the spotlight is put on me, the more I realize the spotlight is meant to be put on the Giver of all things.”
Cruz is especially active in discussing faith on social media and posted a video where he asked some teammates what they’ve learned in team Bible study.
“I learned that in everyday life, things will fail us, but when you find your identity in Christ, nothing will fail you,” Meadows said. “The day is already won and I can rest in that. He’s the God of the mountains and the valleys, and as long as I rest in Him, the day is already won.”
A message about shame and redemption stood out to catcher Bill LeRoy.
“You can’t hide in shame because you’re going to stay there,” he said. “But if you turn to Jesus and you reveal all of your raw emotions to Him and have a conversation with Him, that’s what you’re supposed to do when you’re feeling lots of guilt and shame.”
Tailgaters catcher Taylor Justus said his big takeaway was about how important vulnerability is.
“The moment I was able to share my struggles and what the Lord is teaching and providing to me with other players, and they do the same with me, it impacts the whole community and the body of believers,” he said. “It’s been awesome.”
Several shared thoughts on the importance of community, while others shared details of Biblical stories and what they learned from them.
In a video sharing his testimony, Cruz talked about his homeschool upbringing and learning as an 18-year-old freshman at UC-Riverside how important it is for Christians to be in community and connected to other believers.
“I am merely part of the body, and if I’m disconnected from the body, then I’m not going to be doing too well,” he said, sharing how he often fights selfish desires and would easily give in if not connected to the body of Christ. “Social media has given me a new level of accountability and also community. My teammates have also shown me the love and accountability that I need. That’s the only reason I talk about this stuff — I feel like I have experienced the goodness of God.
“When I share this stuff, I have no ulterior motives other than I want you to experience it also. Nothing in this life has given me more joy and peace.”
LeRoy also recently shared a vulnerable post about his faith. He acknowledged God has given him “more than I could’ve ever asked for,” and that he also struggles to “follow God and His plan for my life.” Ultimately, he knows God gives him grace and never gives up on him. LeRoy then encouraged people to seek Jesus for themselves.
“If you don’t know Jesus, He loves you, and will do the same for you,” LeRoy wrote. “He created you. He knows you personally and gave you unique gifts. If you never have before, I encourage you today to just try it out. Talk to Jesus, He will meet you wherever you are.”
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