Savannah Bananas Bring ‘Banana 360’ to Notre Dame Stadium
Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey
The Savanna Bananas will play in 79 stadiums across 74 cities in 3 countries next year. They will perform in minor and major league ballparks, as well as a few non-traditional venues converted into baseball diamonds. One of them may be the most peculiar setup they have ever played in.
Historic Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana, will host the Bananas vs. Texas Tailgaters game on June 26, 2027. The 77,622-seat football stadium has hosted Notre Dame football since 1930 and will host its first baseball game in 'Banana 360,’ with two diamonds set up in each corner of the field.
The format will include a game on two fields, with the clubs swapping fields between innings. It is designed to ensure that everyone at the game has a prime view of the action in the massive football-only stadium.
The two-diamond field setup was Jesse Cole's idea, and he had been candid with the staff about what could be done with fans seated near or at the top of the larger stadiums on the Banana Ball Tour.
“We responded to fan feedback and observations on how to make the experience better for everyone attending a game at the college football stadiums,” Media Relations Coordinator Maddie Warren said.
Beyond teams swapping corners of the field every inning, the backstop and outfield netting may also move. The ‘Banana 360’ field setup will only be used at the Notre Dame game this summer, even though there will be games played at other football stadiums at Auburn, Louisiana State, and Baylor.
“The 360 model is a way of improving fan observations at the larger stadiums on the tour,” Warren added. “This year, we’re excited about the 360 model and will give it everything we have, with plans to make it feasible at other stadiums in the future.
If you are a fan of traditional ballparks, the same two teams will play a game at Notre Dame’s baseball stadium, Frank Eck Stadium, on June 24. The stadium holds 2,500, and capacity will not be increased for the game. Warren said this was also based on fan feedback from people who enjoy watching Banana Ball in a small, intimate ballpark.
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Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com
