Bryce Harper, first baseman and outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies, was recently invited to participate in Banana Ball, a version of baseball that has gained popularity in recent years due to its entertaining and less serious style, focusing on the spectacle rather than the sport
The proposal came directly from one of the protagonists, Tanner Thomas, a player for the Party Animals, one of the most popular teams in the show.
During an interview, Tanner Thomas, the former Virginia Tech outfielder, said he would like to have Harper as a teammate when asked which major league player he would like to have on his team.
“He’s a party animal,” were the words Thomas used to describe the Phillies first baseman in a friendly tone:
He seems to have the mullet haircut, facial hair and a great swing. He’s definitely a ‘Party Animal’
Will Bryce Harper play Banana Ball?
Although it sounds unlikely, the idea is not so far-fetched. Figures such as Johnny Damon and Curtis Granderson, former Major League Baseball stars, have already participated in Banana Ball games in the past.
In addition, the sport is growing in popularity, and it would not be strange if Harper at least considered the possibility of playing a game with this more festive version of traditional baseball.
What is Banana Ball?
Banana Ball is an innovative and fun version of traditional baseball, created by the independent team Savannah Bananas.
This format seeks to make the game more agile, entertaining and accessible to the public, eliminating dead time and prioritizing the spectacle.
It also has particular rules such as that it is forbidden to touch foul balls, if a fan catches it, it is out; or the elimination of the traditional ball and strike count, and the possibility of scoring runs in each inning, not just at the end of the game.
The result is a more dynamic and engaging experience, where the focus is both on the game and on interacting with the fans.
The secret to Banana Ball’s success
For Thomas, one of the keys to Banana Ball’s success lies in the direct connection with the fans, something that he believes should be more widely adopted in Major League Baseball.“These are your biggest supporters. That’s why people go to these games. That’s why there are huge stadiums, so people can come to these games. Don’t get so caught up in your style,”Thomas added, stressing that the focus should not be lost on the spectator, and the main objective of the game: to entertain.
“Go sign, go interact, go take pictures,” said Harper, encouraging players to interact more with their fans.
Thomas added that the connection with the fans is what keeps the energy in the stadiums, and that this atmosphere is an essential part of the show:
For now, Harper’s presence in a Banana Ball game seems unlikely, as the Party Animals’ season coincides with that of MLB. Even so, the door is not completely closed and it is increasingly likely that we will see figures from Major League Baseball venturing into Banana Ball
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