Savannah Bananas have a unique rule for awarding points: the team with more runs in an inning gets a point. This version of baseball, called Banana Ball, is capped at a two-hour duration.
This format increases the value of each inning as teams get additional reward scores. It also restricts the start of a new inning after 1 hour and 50 minutes.
Banana Ball is not only a sport but an entertainment event, featuring dance and music performances included in the ticket price.
Jesse Cole, the founder of Savannah Bananas in 2016, originally participated in the Coastal Plain League of the Collegiate Summer Baseball League in NCAA before starting Bananas Ball.
Cole aimed to make baseball more exciting for stadium guests. The innovation of new rules has eventually led to the Banana Ball World Tours.
This traveling league visits various cities during World Tours, competing against global teams on their home turf, thus garnering a lot of attention from fans.
What Is Banana Ball Runs And Points?
In Banana Ball Runs and Points, the winner is decided based on points, not runs. A point is awarded to the team that scores more runs in an inning. Runs are crucial for calculating points at the end of an inning when both teams complete a set. However, in the ninth inning, each run is equal to a point.
In a 2020 video, the Bananas describe it as a contest where the goal is to score higher than the other team.
However, instead of gathering runs during the entire match, they are used to determine the victor of an inning and give a point. This video can be found in the ‘Savannah Bananas roster with pictures‘ section on YouTube.
In Banana Ball, runs do not determine the game’s outcome but are essential for accumulating points. The team with more runs at the end of an inning receives a point.
The first team to reach five points is automatically declared the winner. It is crucial to consider the two-hour time limit as it may not be possible to achieve the necessary points to win before time runs out.
If there is no tie, the team with the most points wins. If there is a tie, a tie-breaker round occurs where pitchers and hitters face off in a one-on-one situation. In this case, the pitcher must also act as a catcher and fielder to retrieve the ball.
Savannah Bananas Baseball Crazy Rules
The guidelines of Savannah Bananas Baseball include a shortened duration and prohibition on bunting. Outs can result from foul balls caught by spectators.
Designed with audience engagement in mind, these regulations encourage more interaction. The owner of Savannah Bananas, Jesse Cole, has innovated a different playing style.
This was inspired by his monitoring of the reactions from players and visitors.
Here are the Banana Balls regulations are distinctive but successful in drawing a large following:
Fan Interaction: Fans will be more engaged as every foul ball caught by them will be considered an out.
No Mound Visits: Managers and catchers are prohibited from visiting the mound to avoid wasting game time. Also, batters cannot step out of the box; otherwise, they will receive a strike.
Sprinting Instead of Walk: After the umpire declares ball four, the batter must run while the defense reacts. Consequently, runners can advance over the bases, turning a walk into a home run.
Base Stealing: Batters are allowed to steal any base over passed balls and wild pitches, regardless of whether it is counted or not.
Prohibition of Bunting: Bunting is strictly forbidden. Deliberate bunting will result in the batter being removed from the game.
Scoring System: Banana Ball employs a match play system, where the team scoring the most runs in an inning receives a point. The team with the most points at the end of the game is declared the winner.
Use of Single Pitcher: In a tie-breaker game, only one pitcher is used for all roles. Extra-inning games typically involve only the batter and the pitcher.
Time Limit: A strict two-hour time limit is observed in Banana Ball. Starting a new inning is not allowed after 1 hour and 50 minutes of play.
Challenge Rule: Each team can challenge one play per game, whether it is a fair or foul ball. Challenges are allowed even if a runner is tagged out at home plate or any other base, or if the ball is caught. The winning team keeps the right to challenge, while the losing team or if the call stands after review, forfeits this right.
What Is The Party Animals Banana Ball Rules?
The Party Animals baseball team adheres to the unique set of rules laid out in the Banana Ball guidelines.
As an extension team of Banana Ball, they abide by the following rules:
- Time Limit: A maximum of two hours is allowed for a game, starting from the first pitch. No new innings can start after 1 hour and 50 minutes into the game.
- Tiebreaker: If the game is tied after two hours, a showdown occurs between the pitcher and hitter. The defense is limited to a catcher, fielder, and pitcher, while the offense only has the batter. Retiring a batter allows the opposing team to hit. Similarly, getting one out puts the ball back into play, and the fielder must retrieve it.
- Inning Value: Points are awarded to teams that score the most runs in an inning. If both teams are scoreless or tied in an inning, it is considered even, and the game progresses to the next inning.
- No Stepping Out: Batters cannot leave the hitter box. Doing so results in a strike.
- No Bunting: Bunting results in immediate ejection from the game.
- Stealing First Base: Batters can run to first base on a wild pitch or passed ball.
- No Walks: Batters must run to first base or beyond when the catcher throws the ball towards an infielder. Defensive players must touch the ball minimally to tag out a batter. Quick reflexes can lead to a third run or an inside-the-park home run if the defense is too slow.
- No Mound Visits: Catchers, coaches, managers, and other fielders cannot meet with the pitcher or take breaks for team discussions.
- Catching Foul Ball: If a spectator catches a foul ball in the air, the batter will be declared out.
- Play Challenge: During a match, each team has the privilege to contest one play of the opposing team.