11, 2023 at 2:55 PM EDT Eric Jones and Reece Hampton return home to Charlotte as Bananas. Woman found dead, man found clinging to tree after flooding near Taylorsville, 'We can learn from this' | Charlotte Firefighters Association wants external investigation into South Park fire, Charlotte Firefighters Association wants external investigation into South Park fire, Heat continues, slightly less humid tomorrow, Lightning alert forced Luke Combs concertgoers to shelter in place, Savannah Bananas started down the road in Gastonia with a dream from owner Jesse Cole, Charlotte teen selected to attend MLB All-Star game, Savannah Bananas are coming to Kannapolis, 'This is another homecoming, a permanent one' | Carolina Panthers inducting Julius Peppers, Muhsin Muhammad into Hall of Honor. They are often accompanied by the Banana Nanas, a senior citizen dance team, and the Man-Nanas, a dad bod cheerleading squad, according to the teams website. And we are just getting started. 2023 Cox Media Group. Charlotte Talks Executive Producer Wendy Herkey has been with WFAE since 1998, beginning in the membership department, and has been on the Charlotte Talks staff since 1999. Thats what we are about and we are going to entertain every last minute, he said. How much more heat can we expect in the Charlotte area? See Banana Ball in Savannah; See Banana Ball on the Road; The K Club; Banana Ball. They uploaded videos to Facebook instead,. The Savannah Bananas, like the Grizzlies, play in the 16-team Coastal Plain League. Similar to the Harlem Globe trotters the group, coined Tiktoks favorite baseball team will wow the crowd with performances and tricks during the banana ball Tuesday, July 11th and Wednesday, July 12th. We call this Fans First. WBTV's digital team collaborated on the creation and updating of this story. When I first started in Gastonia there was $268 in my bank account, he said. The Bananas now field two independent professional teams - The Savannah Bananas and The Party Animals. Its one of the hardest tickets to get. CHARLOTTE, N.C. Baseball fans are in for a treat this week in Kannapolis! Businesses in the area told WCNC Charlotte they were busy as a result. Charlotte-native Reece Hampton is on the Party Animals, the traveling opponent of the Savannah Bananas. Katherine Murphy, executive director of the 24 Foundation, and Ameesh Vakharia with USAA joined us to get us ready for the big event! But we are okay with that. It was two nights of jaw-dropping moments, some never thought they'd see besides on their phone. Local restaurant in Charlotte stops by the QC studio to cook up one of their classic dishes. Well meet the founder of the Bananas, Jesse Cole, also known as the man in the yellow tux.. Check out the chic digs. We broke the stadium attendance record as 18 of the 25 games sold out. Players have also accepted dares from TikTok users, such as wearing a banana costume while at bat or riding a horse onto the field. Data shows the hottest areas for Charlotte home buyers are in the northern Mecklenburg County. Review: Mother Nature tried to spoil Luke Combs homecoming. Savannah Bananas bring their creativity to NC. Theyre on a summer-long, nationwide tour that will make a stop in Kannapolis on July 11-12. 135+ Charlotte-area restaurants that have opened or plan to in 2023, These are the hottest zip codes for home buyers in Charlotte. No matter where they play, Cole says the focus will remain on the fans. wfae.org - Wendy Herkey 11h. We use cookies to provide you with a better service on our websites. On Your Side Tonight. Two players and the owner have Charlotte-area ties. Fast forward to the 2016 season and the storybook year continued. Some people may think were crazy. He played for the Bananas last year. And thats what makes us most proud. The Bananas are also the only baseball team that plays in kilts. Wake Up Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so . He says it is a blessing to play for the team. Owner Jesse Cole is a Belmont resident and the former owner of the Gastonia Grizzlies. At Gray, our journalists report, write, edit and produce the news content that informs the communities we serve. But next year, the Bananas will be taking their show to the big leagues. Close Share Toggle Fullscreen Zoom in/out. Backflips, break dancing, TikToks and a 'Showdown': Savannah Bananas wow Durham crowd Story by Madison Hricik, The Charlotte Observer 14h ago W hen Savannah Bananas President Jared. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. The Savannah Bananas roster includes Charlotte-native Eric Jones Jr. The Savannah Bananas, a world-famous baseball circus, will stop by Atrium Ballpark in Kannapolis on July 12. . Hot & humid conditions to last through the 7-day forecast! Not to mention 6 countries. People from all over the country showed up. A dedicated fan can challenge plays during each game. 90.3 Hickory 106.1 Laurinburg. We test the rules. Other fans said they loved the planned skits done throughout the game and the stadium-wide choreography. GUESTS:Erik Spanberg, managing editor for the Charlotte Business Journal, 90.7 Charlotte 93.7 Southern Pines The Bananas now field two independent professional teams The Savannah Bananas and The Party Animals. Listen 50:32 Wendy Herkey / Charlotte Talks is going bananas that is, the Savannah Bananas. 1401 E. Victory Drive Savannah, GA 31404, Copyright 2023, Savannah Bananas - All Rights Reserved. Viagogo has some tickets available, but youll have to pay at least $248 a piece for them. Tickets are not available on SeatGeek, but you can sign up for email updates to score last-minute seats. "They are so loud.. It's been a sweltering summer for the Southeast. We are driven by this goal to make baseball fun. Updated: 17 hours ago. The most fun you'll have at a baseball game. "It was like a Saturday night," Kepley said. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Copyright 2023 WBTV. We launched the Savannah Bananas on February 25, 2016 and immediately received national recognition. Updated: Jul. You are free to manage this via your browser setting at any time. No matter what, we just want to have fun. Charlotte Talks is going. You can stream WCNC Charlotte on Roku and Amazon Fire TV, just download the free app. Savannah Bananas To be clear, the Bananas made their mark long before TikTok became the reigning social media giant. We challenge the way things are supposed to be. After the game, theres a plaza party., A little performance as the gates open pic.twitter.com/xUjoIgJp4c, Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) July 11, 2023. Our players perform choreographed dances every game Britney Spears, Michael Jackson, Toby Keith You name it, You can find out more about the Bananas teams. Savannah Bananas set to visit Kannapolis Story by WSOCTV.com News Staff 16m ago Excitement awaits for baseball fans in Kannapolis this week. At Gray, our journalists report, write, edit and produce the news content that informs the communities we serve. It's been a sweltering summer for the Southeast. Some people may think were crazy. Mike Collins and our roundtable of reporters delve into these stories, and more, on the Charlotte Talks Local News rRoundup. We'll meet the founder of the Bananas, Jesse Cole, also known as "the man in the . Safe, secure, and easy online ordering. He says Banana Ball has inspired a new love of the game for him. Charlotte Observer reporter Evan Moore contributed to . We'll meet the founder of the Bananas, Jesse Cole, also known as "the man in the yellow. Here are some $100K salary jobs in Charlotte, Roaches on walls & in food prep line at Charlotte Mexican restaurant: Inspection scores, Its better to rent in Charlotte than Miami or San Francisco, new rankings show, Will your trash be picked up on July 4th in Charlotte? By WBTV Web Staff July 12, 2023 at 4:18 pm EDT CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QC Life) - Two local players on the Savannah Bananas team stopped by the QC studio to talk about their baseball careers. You name it, we have it. You have more fun than you are going to have at any other sporting event. But we are okay with that. Music fans fill Uptown Charlotte for three concerts tonight, First Alert Weather Days: Rising temperatures before scattered storms this weekend. Hampton went to Charlotte Christian High School and later played for the Charlotte 49ers in college. 90.7 Charlotte 93.7 Southern Pines Local restaurant in Charlotte stops by the QC studio to cook up one of their classic dishes. Just be mentally prepared. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Charlotte Talks is going bananas that is, the Savannah Bananas. See where yours landed. The Bananas were part of the Coastal Plain League, a summer collegiate league, for seven seasons. On the next Charlotte Talks Local News Roundup Charlotte city staff and members of City Council clashed at the City Council meeting Monday night over a proposal by staff for QC East at the Eastland Yards site. The Savannah Bananas huddle on the field at Grayson Stadium in Savannah, Georgia, before playing a team of retired Major League Baseball players on March 11, 2023. Described as a show where sometimes baseball breaks out, it is an absolutely fantastic time for the whole family5 Stars (or 5 bananas) all the way!" -NachoConnery "Doesn't matter if you like traditional baseball or are there to be entertained, this is an exceptional baseball experience that is not to be missed." More than anything, we became a part of the community. Savannah Bananas 7:00 PM - Durham Bulls Athletic Park - Durham, NC From $228+ Hot Event Jul 17 Mon Savannah Bananas vs. Charleston Dirty Birds 7:00 PM - Grayson Stadium - Savannah, GA From $800+ Jul 21 Fri Savannah Bananas 7:00 PM - LoanMart Field - Rancho Cucamonga, CA From $439+ Current and former MLB stars such as Jonny Gomes, Bill Lee, and local Savannahian, Josh Reddick, have all played with the Bananas professional team. Date & ticket info By Steven Matthews Jr. And it really is combining the best of all of these worlds. And Kannapolis has gone bananas! 11, 2023 at 2:55 PM EDT Eric Garlick learns some moves from the Party Animals on the Bananas team . The self-proclaimed "greatest show in sports," the Savannah Bananas combine sports and entertainment for what tends to be a nine-inning bonanza, complete with a dancing umpire, frequent in-game. Historic Grayson Stadium is the first ever Ad-Free ballpark. Smith and her friends made the drive from Winston-Salem. ESPN The Savannah Bananas are set to play at Atrium Health Ballpark in Kannapolis on Tuesday and Wednesday this week - and both games are already sold out. The Bananas have exploded onto the scene and are a worldwide sensation on social media. Savannah Bananas bring their creativity to NC Eric Jones and Reece Hampton return home to Charlotte as Bananas. Trending on Twitter and shoutouts on SportsCenter and Good Morning America came within the first 24 hours. The Bananas have exploded onto the scene and are a worldwide sensation on social media. WSOC TV facebook feed(Opens a new window), Group escorted out of Carowinds due to unruly behavior, park officials say, Delays, cancellations continue to rise at Charlotte Douglas Airport, Officers ask for public help to find missing, endangered Mecklenburg County toddler, Officials searching Lake Norman sandbar after drowning reported, Its unacceptable: Homeowner says HOA used funds on private party for retiring manager, WSOC - TV Public File Contact / Program Director, WAXN - TV Public File Contact / Program Director. 12, 2023 at 6:50 PM EDT. South Carolina in need of 2,000 foster homes. A Guide to Reducing Your Health Care Costs, Breaking Barriers: Challenges and opportunities for Latino students, EQUALibrium: An exploration of race and equity in Charlotte, Falling short: Why Democrats keep losing most statewide races, IAAM: The New International African American Museum, EQUALibrium Live: Conversations on Race & Equity, NPR's Founding Mothers In Conversation With WFAE's Lisa Worf, When Crack Was King author argues the crack epidemic continues to shape American policy. The Banana Nanas on promenade. The team that wins the most innings, wins the game. We are not your typical baseball team. Updated: Jul. Charlotte Talks is going bananas that is, the Savannah Bananas. The Savannah Bananas are set to play at Atrium Health Ballpark in Kannapolis on Tuesday and Wednesday this week and both games are already sold out. He grew up in Denver, North Carolina, where he previously worked as a reporter for the Denver Citizen, and is a UNC Charlotte graduate. Dancing with the Savannah Bananas. Deeandra Michel CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Baseball fans are in for a treat this week in Kannapolis! In This Article By Erik Spanberg - Managing Editor,. Jones and Hampton also played on the Gastonia Honey Hunters team together. No matter what, we just want to have fun. He shares the origin story of the Savannah Bananas, their humble beginnings, the team's fans first mentality, and reimagining baseball as entertainment as well as sport. The Savannah Bananas are coming to town! If you come to one of these games, you just have an experience you cant have anywhere else, he said. A Gray Media Group, Inc. Station - 2002-2022 Gray Television, Inc. Savannah Bananas bring their creativity to NC. Current and former MLB stars such as Jonny Gomes, Bill Lee, and . Updated July 13, 2023 10:25 PM . The top moments from The Savannah Bananas 2022 World Tour and 2022 Summer Series. Banana Ball started as an idea, perhaps a crazy idea, to make baseball games more fun and more action-packed in a two-hour time limit. Severe storms to follow a dangerously hot Saturday in Charlotte, NWS says, Searching for a six-figure gig? Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. The Savannah Bananas' unconventional version of the game later became a "One City World Tour" in Mobile, Alabama, in 2021 and then a regional tour of seven cities in 2022 in the Southeast and Kansas City while keeping home base at Savannah's Grayson Stadium. Entertain Always. This is not your typical baseball game. We take chances. Well talk about what was at the heart of the criticism and get an update on Eastland Yards. Prospective Players; Bananas Foster; Camps The Savannah Bananas played in Kannapolis on Tuesday night for the first of two sold-out games as part of their ongoing 33-city summer tour. Entertain Always. guides us in everything we do. Cole says several MLB teams have expressed interest in holding events. Ladies & Gents, this is the moment youve waited for, The Greatest Show in Sports is Back. What to expect on the holiday, How much will your Fourth of July BBQ cost this year? Grocery prices in Charlotte, Its getting hot in Charlotte. The team took the league by storm and won the Coastal Plain League Championship. Alex Ziggy Ziegler with the Bananas said the last two nights of sold-out games have just been the cherry on top. News. The Savannah Bananas are coming to town for. 3:20 The toughest ticket in Savannah is now the toughest ticket in America. Eric Jones and Reece Hampton return home to Charlotte as Bananas. "It was like a Saturday night," Kepley said. He started his career by signing with the Minnesota Twins in 2019 before being picked up by the Seattle Mariners in 2021. Local News Roundup: CMPD says homicides down; City Council, staff clash over Eastland Yards plans; Savannah Bananas visit Kannapolis By Wendy Herkey Published July 14, 2023 at 9:00 AM EDT Launched in April 1998, Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins has become the region's exclusive forum for the discussion of politics, growth, the arts, culture, social issues, literature, human. In 2022, the Bananas announced that they were leaving the Coastal Plain League to play Banana Ball year-round. The goal is to win the inning. Heres how he responded. KANNAPOLIS, N.C. The Savannah Bananas, a baseball team known for its incredible fan experience and witty dance moves on social media, spent the last two nights in Kannapolis. Mike and the mayors: Checking in with Huntersville, Davidson and Cornelius. Second Ward High School 100 years later. The team won three Petitt Cup Championships while part of the CPL and had over 35 players drafted across the seven years of play. We think theres a better way to do almost everything. Last night was great," Jessica Kepley, a server at. SAVANNAH BANANAS ANNOUNCE 2023 BANANA BALL WORLD TOUR SCHEDULE The Savannah Bananas are bringing "The Greatest Show in Sports" (ESPN) to 33 cities and 20 states in 2023. A Guide to Reducing Your Health Care Costs, Breaking Barriers: Challenges and opportunities for Latino students, EQUALibrium: An exploration of race and equity in Charlotte, Falling short: Why Democrats keep losing most statewide races, IAAM: The New International African American Museum, EQUALibrium Live: Conversations on Race & Equity, NPR's Founding Mothers In Conversation With WFAE's Lisa Worf, When Crack Was King author argues the crack epidemic continues to shape American policy, Local News Roundup: CMPD says homicides down; City Council, staff clash over Eastland Yards plans; Savannah Bananas visit Kannapolis. Last night was great," Jessica Kepley, a server atChophouse 101, said. 2023 WCCB Charlotte's CW. Bananas merchandise was sold to all 50 states. The Savannah Bananas are playing this week at Durham Bulls park. Banana Ball was born out of the idea of making baseball more fast-paced, entertaining, and FUN. Over the past seven years, the Savannah Bananas have partnered with hundreds of different schools, churches, organizations, and non-profits and have raised over half a million dollars through fundraising. Experiencing the Savannah Bananas event of your dreams in 2023 becomes a reality with TicketNetwork. Eric Garlick learns some moves from the Party Animals on the Bananas team. News. Both teams are made up of players who are recruited and paid for their play. Kepley said the turnout has been more than any other game at the ballpark. Call (888) 456-8499 today or buy online. Some foster parents frustrated with DSS. We toe the line. He played for the Bananas last year. "People coming from all over to Kannapolis. CMS officials say most of the schools in the district are now high-poverty schools, and that means more students will see federal aid. He started his professional career after being drafted in 2019 by the Detroit Tigers. Savannah Bananas bring their creativity to NC Eric Jones and Reece Hampton return home to Charlotte as Bananas. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. Updated: Jul. For the Bananas, this is not the last stop in North Carolina on their tour. Banana Ball World Tour by @zappos A Guide to Reducing Your Health Care Costs, Breaking Barriers: Challenges and opportunities for Latino students, EQUALibrium: An exploration of race and equity in Charlotte, Falling short: Why Democrats keep losing most statewide races, IAAM: The New International African American Museum, EQUALibrium Live: Conversations on Race & Equity, NPR's Founding Mothers In Conversation With WFAE's Lisa Worf, When Crack Was King author argues the crack epidemic continues to shape American policy, Local News Roundup: CMPD says homicides down; City Council, staff clash over Eastland Yards plans; Savannah Bananas visit Kannapolis. Theyre on a summer-long, nationwide tour that will make a stop in Kannapolis this week, on Tuesday and Wednesday. Mike and the mayors: Checking in with Huntersville, Davidson and Cornelius, Savannah Bananas owner Jesse Cole on his beginnings in the Charlotte region. Thousands of . The Bananas play one more game in Kannapolis on Wednesday night. Tickets are $25. Those games are sold out. He is currently a member of Party Animals but joined the Savannah Bananas in 2022. General admission tickets for games on Tuesday and Wednesday which usually go for $25 are sold out, but there are a few tickets available on third-party websites. So we will try it all. Country star Luke Combs performs in his home state of North Carolina this weekend. Mike and the mayors: Checking in with Huntersville, Davidson and Cornelius. The Savannah Bananas are coming to town! Jones attended South Mecklenburg High School and was a catcher and third baseman. 1401 E Victory Dr Savannah, Georgia 31404 Store Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm Saturday-Sunday CLOSED Located on the right side of the stadium. For two nights, the Savannah Bananas are playing their iconic Banana Ball in front of sold-out crowds at Atrium Health Ballpark in Kannapolis. For Cole, the road to fame and love of the game began years ago in Gastonia. Built by Boost by Design. So far it has worked. In October, the Savannah Bananas announced plans for a 33-city world tour that included a stop at Atrium Health Ballpark, home of the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, on July 12, 2023. Savannah Bananas. He started playing for the Savannah Bananas in 2022. 90.3 Hickory 106.1 Laurinburg. He shares the origin story of the Savannah Bananas, their humble beginnings, the team's fans first mentality, and reimagining baseball as entertainment as well as sport. You can find out more about the Bananas teams here. The Bananas, an exhibition baseball team founded in 2016, are known for their eccentric on-field antics. It brought the fun out and shined the light on how cool the game is and how it can bring people together, he said. How much more heat can we expect in the Charlotte area? Use these city resources to keep cool in steamy weather. Example video title will go here for this video. "I love the umpire, the umpire is my favorite, he working -- he can twerk.. Viva Chicken celebrates fry day with a Peruvian spin on the classic salty treat, Potential traffic for fans following three concerts in the Queen city this weekend. The idea for the Savannah Bananas started down the road in Gastonia with a dream from owner Jesse Cole and quickly gained traction on social media for their over-the-top fan experience.