What does it take to be a Savannah Banana? Here are the requirements and tryout process

Since the inception of the team's signature style of play called Banana Ball in 2021, the Savannah Bananas have made their mark in the world of exhibition sports.
The Savannah, Georgia-based baseball team is bringing what's been dubbed the "greatest show in sports" by ESPN to over 2 million fans across 25 states through its biggest endeavor yet, the Banana Ball World Tour, which began in February and runs until September. The team is treating Cincinnati to two nights of shows at Great American Ball Park from June 13-14, both of which have sold out.
Over the years, the Bananas, which combine typical baseball play with comedy sketches, dancing and other antics, have hosted several MLB legends, including two-time World Series champion and two-time All-Star Johnny Damon and Hall of Famer and former Big Red Machine great Johnny Bench. Longtime Bengals starting quarterback Andy Dalton also took part in a dodgeball contest at a Bananas game at Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium this month.
Beyond the live event success, the team has built a considerable social media following, gaining over 3 million Instagram followers and a whopping 9.9 million TikTok followers.
Do you think you have what it takes to become a Savannah Banana? Here's what to know about the team's tryout process.
What are the requirements for being on the Savannah Bananas?
Bananas Director of Recruiting Berry Aldridge told The Enquirer the team searches for "the most talented, unique and entertaining players on Earth."
Current player and coach Robert Anthony Cruz, better known as Coach RAC, broke down some specific requirements for landing a spot on the Savannah Bananas in a TikTok post made May 8.
The team hosts invite-only tryouts across the country following a round of applications. But to gauge how equipped someone is to join the team, Cruz broke down four major requirements for prospective players:
- Baseball background (professional experience or, at minimum, success on a high-level college team).
- Entertainer skills (acrobatics, singing, stage presence, etc.).
- Social media presence.
- "Fans first" culture fit, with a commitment to prioritizing fan experience and being a good teammate.
How to try out for the Savannah Bananas
Tryouts for the Savannah Bananas are invite-only and those interested must first fill out the Prospective Banana Ball Player form online at bananaball.com/prospectiveplayers/.
Aldridge said the Bananas typically invite between 100-250 players per year to the private workouts, "which place an emphasis on not (only) the athleticism and skill, but also the players' ability to get creative and express themselves."
In the prospective player form, applicants are asked to provide what play experience they have, professional or otherwise, their special talents, social media handles, coaching and character references and more. Applicants are also asked to specify which tryout they'd like to attend in either Philadelphia, Savannah, Dallas, Phoenix and Los Angeles.
The form also provides a space for applicants to import a video showing why they deserve to be a Banana.