Sports
Savannah Bananas Announce 45-State Mega Tour and Historic New Teams — “We Were Told It Would Fail, But the Fans Proved Otherwise”
From selling a handful of tickets to filling NFL stadiums — Jesse Cole’s Banana Ball empire expands with two new teams and a 45-state U.S. tour in 2026.
When Jesse Cole (LinkedIn) started the Savannah Bananas in 2016, few believed the team would become a cultural phenomenon. The former Coastal Plain League collegiate club struggled to sell even a few tickets in its first season. Cole and his wife sold their home, drained their savings, and slept on an air mattress just to keep their dream alive.
But nine years later, that dream has turned into a nationwide movement. With Banana Ball — an electrifying mix of baseball, showmanship, and heart — the Bananas have sold out 17 Major League Baseball stadiums, drawn over 2 million fans, and built a reputation as America’s most entertaining team.
And now, they’re going even bigger.
A 45-State Tour That Redefines the Game
On Thursday, Cole announced on ESPN2 that the Banana Ball Championship League will debut in 2026, expanding to 75 stadiums across 45 states — including 14 MLB parks and 10 football stadiums.
Two of those venues are among the largest in the country: Texas A&M’s Kyle Field (capacity 102,000) and Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium (capacity 101,000). Even smaller cities will get a taste of the spectacle, like Dehler Park in Billings, Montana, which will host just 3,000 fans — the smallest crowd in Banana Ball history.
“We were told it would fail. That it wasn’t real baseball,” said Cole. “But you know what I focus on? The fans who love it. We want Banana Ball to reach every corner of America.”
New Teams: Loco Beach Coconuts and Indianapolis Clowns
The league’s expansion also introduces two new teams with powerful stories and historic resonance.
1. Loco Beach Coconuts — led by Shane Victorino
Two-time World Series champion Shane Victorino will serve as the “prime-time coach” for the Loco Beach Coconuts, a team inspired by surf culture and Hawaiian flair.
“That island pride, that aloha spirit — it’s in everything I do,” Victorino said. “Banana Ball is about heart, fun, and bringing joy back to the game. This is a dream.”
The Coconuts will play primarily in coastal regions, promising to “bring the beach” to stadiums nationwide with a bright, tropical theme.
2. Indianapolis Clowns — honoring Negro Leagues history
The second addition, the Indianapolis Clowns, carries deep baseball heritage. Originally formed in 1935, the Clowns were part of the Negro Leagues, combining athletic excellence with comedic flair — often compared to the Harlem Globetrotters of baseball.
They were also the first professional team to sign Hank Aaron , one of baseball’s most legendary figures.
In partnership with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, led by president Bob Kendrick , Cole revived the Clowns to pay tribute to the pioneers who made baseball inclusive and entertaining.
“The rebirth of the Indianapolis Clowns is historically relevant,” Kendrick said. “It honors a team that was at the forefront of blending baseball and entertainment — something the Bananas have now taken to new heights.”
Former NL MVP and World Series champion Ryan Howard (Wikipedia) will serve as the Clowns’ prime-time coach.
“They were rock stars before the world called ballplayers that,” Howard said. “Flash, innovation, community — that’s what the Negro Leagues brought to the game, and that’s what Banana Ball is all about.”
The Championship League: A New Era of Fun and Competition
The 2026 Banana Ball Championship League will feature the Bananas, Firefighters, Party Animals, Tailgaters, and the two new teams.
The season kicks off in February with 11 preseason games, followed by a 50-game regular season from April through September. The Banana Bowl, the league’s grand finale, is set for October 10, 2026.
Cole also introduced the “Equalizer Rule” — a creative twist where teams can earn extra points for executing more trick plays.
“We want every inning to matter,” Cole said. “This isn’t just about fun. It’s about competition, energy, and innovation.”
Fans First: No Price Hike, Just More Smiles
Despite skyrocketing demand, Cole confirmed that ticket prices will remain the same. The Bananas expect over 3 million ticket lottery sign-ups in the first 48 hours after the announcement — yet Cole insists the game should remain accessible.
“We’re not raising prices,” he said flatly. “This is about fans — that’s why we exist.”
Cole’s vision extends beyond U.S. borders, with plans to take Banana Ball global. But for now, he says, the focus remains on America.
“There are still towns across this country that have never seen Banana Ball,” he added. “We want every fan to be within a few hours’ drive of the magic.”
A Legacy That’s Just Getting Started
From humble beginnings to nationwide stardom, the Savannah Bananas have rewritten the rulebook on what sports entertainment can be.
Cole’s philosophy, rooted in Fans First Entertainment, has transformed baseball into a joyful carnival — one where the crowd cheers as much for a backflip catch as for a home run.
“We’ve been criticized every step of the way,” Cole said. “But we’ve built something that makes people smile. That’s what matters.”
And as the yellow suits, dance routines, and wild celebrations hit 45 states next year, one thing is clear: Banana Ball isn’t just surviving — it’s thriving.
For more Update http://www.dailyglobaldiary.com
Sports
Caleb Williams Impresses, but the Bears’ Late-Game Decisions Raise Eyebrows
One impossible touchdown changed everything — but Chicago’s season may have been decided by what happened next
For one breathtaking moment, football stopped making sense.
With seconds left in a divisional-round playoff game, Caleb Williams launched a prayer — a 50-plus-yard, off-balance, back-foot moon shot — and somehow, impossibly, it found Cole Kmet in the end zone. It was the kind of touchdown that instantly joins NFL folklore, the sort of play fans remember for decades.
Suddenly, the Chicago Bears were one extra point away from tying the Los Angeles Rams — a scenario no one could have imagined just moments earlier.
And that’s when the question arrived, loud and unavoidable:
Why not go for two?
The dream-big argument
If Chicago converts the two-point try, the Rams are done. Season over. The Bears move one game away from the Super Bowl, potentially facing either a second-year quarterback or an injury replacement in the AFC. No matchup in the NFL is easy, but this was a window — and those windows don’t stay open long.
Ask Aaron Rodgers or Dan Marino how rare Super Bowl chances truly are. Between them, 38 seasons, one Super Bowl appearance each. Even greatness doesn’t guarantee multiple shots.
Momentum, belief, shock value — everything screamed end it now. One play. One decision. Push all the chips to the middle.
But football decisions aren’t made in the clouds. They’re made in film rooms.
Why Chicago didn’t gamble
Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson didn’t flinch. Replays showed him calm, unmoved, almost indifferent to the miracle unfolding. He knew the touchdown created options — but also responsibility.
Because miracles don’t stack.
Just minutes earlier, Chicago had first-and-goal at the Rams’ 5-yard line. Three ineffective runs by De’Andre Swift and a failed fourth-down pass told Johnson everything he needed to know about his short-yardage confidence.
After the game, Johnson explained it plainly.
“Our goal-to-go situations hadn’t gone very cleanly,” he said. “Our inside-the-5 plan hadn’t worked out like we hoped. I just felt better about taking our chances in overtime.”
There was also time left — 13 seconds and two Rams timeouts. One explosive play, maybe a penalty, and Los Angeles could still have stolen it with a field goal even after a failed conversion.
So Chicago chose survival over glory.
How it unraveled anyway
The Bears lived to fight in overtime — and then watched their season collapse anyway. A brutal interception. A defensive breakdown. Game over.
And just like that, Williams-to-Kmet joined a heartbreaking fraternity: iconic plays that didn’t change the ending. Think Kurt Warner to Larry Fitzgerald in Super Bowl XLIII. Think Julio Jones and that impossible toe-tap in Super Bowl LI.
Legendary moments — frozen in time — attached to losses.
So… was it the wrong call?
Emotionally? Maybe.
Strategically? Probably not.
Coaches don’t get paid to chase vibes. They get paid to trust evidence. And Chicago’s evidence said a single, all-or-nothing snap wasn’t the best bet.
That doesn’t make it satisfying. It just makes it honest.
What this moment really means for Chicago
The Bears don’t leave this game empty-handed. They leave with something rarer than a win: belief.
You can’t build a franchise on miracle throws — but you can build a culture on refusing to quit. This team fought until the very last second, and that matters more than fans often admit.
Williams will be just 24 entering the 2026 season. Think about what he might look like at 27, 28, 29. There are no guarantees — Rodgers and Marino taught us that — but this is as good a foundation as any team could ask for.
Years from now, if Chicago is lucky, Williams-to-Kmet won’t be remembered as a cruel “what if.”
It will be remembered as the beginning.
Sports
A Strong Night for Caleb Williams Ends With Doubts About the Bears’ Late Decisions
One impossible touchdown changed everything — but Chicago’s season may have been decided by what happened next
For one breathtaking moment, football stopped making sense.
With seconds left in a divisional-round playoff game, Caleb Williams launched a prayer — a 50-plus-yard, off-balance, back-foot moon shot — and somehow, impossibly, it found Cole Kmet in the end zone. It was the kind of touchdown that instantly joins NFL folklore, the sort of play fans remember for decades.
Suddenly, the Chicago Bears were one extra point away from tying the Los Angeles Rams — a scenario no one could have imagined just moments earlier.
And that’s when the question arrived, loud and unavoidable:
Why not go for two?
The dream-big argument
If Chicago converts the two-point try, the Rams are done. Season over. The Bears move one game away from the Super Bowl, potentially facing either a second-year quarterback or an injury replacement in the AFC. No matchup in the NFL is easy, but this was a window — and those windows don’t stay open long.
Ask Aaron Rodgers or Dan Marino how rare Super Bowl chances truly are. Between them, 38 seasons, one Super Bowl appearance each. Even greatness doesn’t guarantee multiple shots.
Momentum, belief, shock value — everything screamed end it now. One play. One decision. Push all the chips to the middle.
But football decisions aren’t made in the clouds. They’re made in film rooms.
Why Chicago didn’t gamble
Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson didn’t flinch. Replays showed him calm, unmoved, almost indifferent to the miracle unfolding. He knew the touchdown created options — but also responsibility.
Because miracles don’t stack.
Just minutes earlier, Chicago had first-and-goal at the Rams’ 5-yard line. Three ineffective runs by De’Andre Swift and a failed fourth-down pass told Johnson everything he needed to know about his short-yardage confidence.
After the game, Johnson explained it plainly.
“Our goal-to-go situations hadn’t gone very cleanly,” he said. “Our inside-the-5 plan hadn’t worked out like we hoped. I just felt better about taking our chances in overtime.”
There was also time left — 13 seconds and two Rams timeouts. One explosive play, maybe a penalty, and Los Angeles could still have stolen it with a field goal even after a failed conversion.
So Chicago chose survival over glory.
How it unraveled anyway
The Bears lived to fight in overtime — and then watched their season collapse anyway. A brutal interception. A defensive breakdown. Game over.
And just like that, Williams-to-Kmet joined a heartbreaking fraternity: iconic plays that didn’t change the ending. Think Kurt Warner to Larry Fitzgerald in Super Bowl XLIII. Think Julio Jones and that impossible toe-tap in Super Bowl LI.
Legendary moments — frozen in time — attached to losses.
So… was it the wrong call?
Emotionally? Maybe.
Strategically? Probably not.
Coaches don’t get paid to chase vibes. They get paid to trust evidence. And Chicago’s evidence said a single, all-or-nothing snap wasn’t the best bet.
That doesn’t make it satisfying. It just makes it honest.
What this moment really means for Chicago
The Bears don’t leave this game empty-handed. They leave with something rarer than a win: belief.
You can’t build a franchise on miracle throws — but you can build a culture on refusing to quit. This team fought until the very last second, and that matters more than fans often admit.
Williams will be just 24 entering the 2026 season. Think about what he might look like at 27, 28, 29. There are no guarantees — Rodgers and Marino taught us that — but this is as good a foundation as any team could ask for.
Years from now, if Chicago is lucky, Williams-to-Kmet won’t be remembered as a cruel “what if.”
It will be remembered as the beginning.
Sports
Caleb Williams Did His Part But Did the Bears Overthink the Finish
One impossible touchdown changed everything — but Chicago’s season may have been decided by what happened next
For one breathtaking moment, football stopped making sense.
With seconds left in a divisional-round playoff game, Caleb Williams launched a prayer — a 50-plus-yard, off-balance, back-foot moon shot — and somehow, impossibly, it found Cole Kmet in the end zone. It was the kind of touchdown that instantly joins NFL folklore, the sort of play fans remember for decades.
Suddenly, the Chicago Bears were one extra point away from tying the Los Angeles Rams — a scenario no one could have imagined just moments earlier.
And that’s when the question arrived, loud and unavoidable:
Why not go for two?
The dream-big argument
If Chicago converts the two-point try, the Rams are done. Season over. The Bears move one game away from the Super Bowl, potentially facing either a second-year quarterback or an injury replacement in the AFC. No matchup in the NFL is easy, but this was a window — and those windows don’t stay open long.
Ask Aaron Rodgers or Dan Marino how rare Super Bowl chances truly are. Between them, 38 seasons, one Super Bowl appearance each. Even greatness doesn’t guarantee multiple shots.
Momentum, belief, shock value — everything screamed end it now. One play. One decision. Push all the chips to the middle.
But football decisions aren’t made in the clouds. They’re made in film rooms.
Why Chicago didn’t gamble
Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson didn’t flinch. Replays showed him calm, unmoved, almost indifferent to the miracle unfolding. He knew the touchdown created options — but also responsibility.
Because miracles don’t stack.
Just minutes earlier, Chicago had first-and-goal at the Rams’ 5-yard line. Three ineffective runs by De’Andre Swift and a failed fourth-down pass told Johnson everything he needed to know about his short-yardage confidence.
After the game, Johnson explained it plainly.
“Our goal-to-go situations hadn’t gone very cleanly,” he said. “Our inside-the-5 plan hadn’t worked out like we hoped. I just felt better about taking our chances in overtime.”
There was also time left — 13 seconds and two Rams timeouts. One explosive play, maybe a penalty, and Los Angeles could still have stolen it with a field goal even after a failed conversion.
So Chicago chose survival over glory.
How it unraveled anyway
The Bears lived to fight in overtime — and then watched their season collapse anyway. A brutal interception. A defensive breakdown. Game over.
And just like that, Williams-to-Kmet joined a heartbreaking fraternity: iconic plays that didn’t change the ending. Think Kurt Warner to Larry Fitzgerald in Super Bowl XLIII. Think Julio Jones and that impossible toe-tap in Super Bowl LI.
Legendary moments — frozen in time — attached to losses.
So… was it the wrong call?
Emotionally? Maybe.
Strategically? Probably not.
Coaches don’t get paid to chase vibes. They get paid to trust evidence. And Chicago’s evidence said a single, all-or-nothing snap wasn’t the best bet.
That doesn’t make it satisfying. It just makes it honest.
What this moment really means for Chicago
The Bears don’t leave this game empty-handed. They leave with something rarer than a win: belief.
You can’t build a franchise on miracle throws — but you can build a culture on refusing to quit. This team fought until the very last second, and that matters more than fans often admit.
Williams will be just 24 entering the 2026 season. Think about what he might look like at 27, 28, 29. There are no guarantees — Rodgers and Marino taught us that — but this is as good a foundation as any team could ask for.
Years from now, if Chicago is lucky, Williams-to-Kmet won’t be remembered as a cruel “what if.”
It will be remembered as the beginning.
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