CLEMSON, S.C. — In a town where football reigns supreme, baseball is about to steal the show—Banana Ball style. The Savannah Bananas, the viral sensation and self-proclaimed “World Famous Baseball Circus,” are bringing their high-energy, rule-breaking, boundary-pushing brand of baseball to Clemson University in 2025, marking a historic first: the debut of Banana Ball in a college football stadium.
On April 26, 2025, Memorial Stadium—better known as Death Valley—will transform from a shrine of hard hits and game-winning touchdowns into the largest stage ever for the Bananas’ one-of-a-kind spectacle. The team, known for blending elite athleticism with non-stop entertainment, will face their rivals, the Party Animals, in a matchup that promises to be unlike anything Clemson fans have ever witnessed.
From Grayson Stadium to Death Valley: The Bananas’ Wild Ride
Founded in 2015 by Jesse and Emily Cole, the Savannah Bananas began as a summer collegiate team in the Coastal Plain League. But in 2022, the Bananas pivoted from traditional baseball to exclusively playing Banana Ball, a fast-paced, fan-focused version of the sport featuring a two-hour time limit, no stepping out of the batter’s box, and even the possibility of recording an out when a fan catches a foul ball. Think baseball meets Broadway, with a touch of Harlem Globetrotters.
Since their inception, the Bananas have sold out every game they’ve played, and their meteoric rise has led them to play in iconic venues, including Fenway Park and Citizens Bank Park. Now, they’re turning their attention to Death Valley, where they hope to break their own attendance record of 45,000 fans.
“We are beyond excited to welcome the Bananas to the Valley,” said Clemson Athletic Director Graham Neff. “The Bananas’ innovation in the sports and entertainment space is world-class, and we are delighted to open our doors to fans from all over as part of the World Tour.”
A Warm-Up in Tiger Town
Clemson has already gotten a taste of the Banana Ball frenzy. On November 7, Doug Kingsmore Stadium hosted an exhibition game between the Bananas’ All-Stars and Clemson’s baseball team, marking the first time the Bananas faced off against a collegiate opponent. The Bananas walked away with a 4-1 win, but the final score was just a small part of the story.
Clemson players embraced the chaos, joining in on choreographed dances, attempting trick plays, and even pulling off one of the most memorable entrances in baseball history—infielder Jay Dillard riding a horse to home plate. The sold-out crowd ate it up, and Clemson head coach Erik Bakich believes this brand of baseball aligns perfectly with the Tigers’ philosophy.
“I love the Savannah Bananas,” Bakich said. “I love Jesse Cole. He is a creative genius. We’ve been playing Banana Ball since 2018… we do it all the time. The excitement the games bring and how Jesse has turned it into this total entertainment is inspiring.”
What to Expect in Death Valley
If the exhibition was any indication, April 26 at Memorial Stadium will be an event unlike any in Clemson history. The Bananas’ games are packed with surprises—players doing backflips mid-play, a hitter standing 10 feet tall on stilts, and even umpires breaking into dance.
But Clemson fans should expect the unexpected. Death Valley’s atmosphere, already one of the most electric in college sports, will serve as the perfect backdrop for the Bananas’ biggest show yet. If the crowd comes anywhere close to the 81,500 that pack the stadium for football Saturdays, it could shatter attendance records for a Banana Ball game.
Jesse Cole, the Bananas’ ever-energetic owner who is rarely seen without his signature yellow tuxedo, knows this will be a game for the history books.
“When we look for host cities, we want places that love sports, love entertainment, and know how to create an atmosphere,” Cole said. “Clemson checks all those boxes. We’re going to put on a show that Tiger fans will never forget.”
The Future of Banana Ball?
As the Bananas continue their meteoric rise, their stop at Clemson could signal a new frontier for their game. If Banana Ball can pack a football stadium, could it soon make its way to other major venues across the country?
One thing is certain: When the Bananas roll into Death Valley, Clemson fans will witness history—baseball, but not as they know it.