First Ever Championship? For BBCL but not Bananaball.
With all the excitement and PR for the BananaBowl, it feels like a new era has officially started. ABC is owned by Disney, so it makes sense that Jesse was on GMA this morning as well as ABC News. The comment was made several times by the anchors that this was “the first ever championship.” But that does not really feel right.
This may be the first BBCL Championship, but the 2025 Parry Animals were the first BananaBall Champions. I know most of these guys grew up and dreamed of the MLB and big league parks, and most of us are also fans of regular baseball. What made Bananaball so special was the knocking down between barrier of athlete and fan, the smaller settings, the barnstorming nature, and the celebrations which really just felt like guys being guys and having fun. The 2025 Championship game in Savannah just felt authentic and special, but it also feels like that was the last of the original spirit of Bananaball.
And this is where I’m torn. I’m happy for the guys who have truly built this from the ground up, and I’m excited they’re living out their dreams of playing in these parks. Vava, Tanner Thomas, Garett Delano, and Sean Fluke were part of the 2022 PAs who were just a team for the Bananas to play, but they have stayed and built it into something special. A lot of the guys from the 2023 squad started off in the six game summer series in 2022 or came over from the Bananas (either pro or CPL), and they continued to build with not much help from the organization. They deserve all the good things and success coming their way.
But it’s become too sleek and produced. And in a lot of ways, with rising ticket prices, everything being an add on, and the barrier feeling big between fan and athlete, it is starting to feel like just another league about money, handlers, “superstars,” and access. More hours spent on choreography than practice, hiring Broadway composers for original songs, anything tied with Disney being part of the “show,” etc.
I know some of the PAs and other athlete across the league talked about some of their trepidation with joining the organization, but once they got there, they fell in love with it. And a big part of that was having fun and just being with fans. I know a lot of these guys are young, traveling, having the time of their lives with experiences they may not have otherwise, and playing sold out stadiums, etc. But some of them have seemed really disillusioned this year. And I can’t help to think they’re not feeling some of it too.
Just hope the PAs know what made them so special was winning the Championship in Savannah last year and just the rawness and authenticity of it. It feels like Jesse has lost his way and focus somewhat, and the PAs (for the most part) seem to still build up the sport and intent while remaining grounded. Because hopefully everything continues, but sports ebb and flow. And the “Banana Bowl” may not go over as well for some who miss Grayson Stadium and plaza parties.