Can “Fun” Versions of Baseball Such as Banana Ball and Cosmic Baseball Coexist With the Rest of the Baseball World?

Trust me, I know what the baseball purists are going to say.

Until this summer, I was one of them—skeptical, hesitant, and not entirely convinced that a world of “fun” baseball could actually coexist with traditional baseball.

But this season, I experienced the USPBL’s Real Fun, Real Baseball initiative, Cosmic Baseball, and Banana Ball firsthand.

And my mindset has completely changed.

This is 100% an opinion piece. There won’t be stats or hard facts—just my thoughts and feelings on where “fun” baseball belongs. I know many will disagree, but that doesn’t bother me. All I ask is that you hear me out before making your judgment.

We’ve all heard the criticisms about baseball:

• “Baseball is boring.”
• “The games are too long.”
• “Kids aren’t interested anymore.”
• “We need to speed things up.”

In response, new “fun” versions of baseball have evolved. But with them came new arguments:

• “Banana Ball isn’t real baseball.”
• “It’s just a sideshow.”
• “It’s all scripted.”

The most common misconception is that the Savannah Bananas are “the Harlem Globetrotters of baseball” and won’t last. I understand the comparison—there’s plenty of entertainment—but it’s not the same.

Banana Ball is its own game, with its own rules. The Bananas (along with the Party Animals, Firefighters, and Texas Tailgaters) never claim otherwise. Their motto is Fans First, and they’re chasing what they believe traditional baseball is missing.

Yes, there’s singing, dancing, and trick plays—all of which take hours of practice—but none of the game itself is scripted. Every Banana Ball game happens play by play, live and unscripted. It’s fast-paced, full of energy, and entertaining, while still being a legitimate game at its core.

Comparisons to the Globetrotters aren’t accurate. Their shows are scripted and repetitive, but Banana Ball is unpredictable. And if the Globetrotters can last nearly 100 years, why can’t Banana Ball last?

Right now, it’s the hottest ticket in sports. Games are affordable (if you’re lucky enough to get through in their ticket lottery), and if you can’t attend in person, every game is streamed for free on YouTube—and even picked up by TV networks, including ESPN.

And let me be clear: these players are ATHLETES. They’re not just performers who learn dances and trick plays—they’re also skilled baseball players. Most have college, independent, or minor league experience. In fact, when the Bananas came to Pittsburgh, there were three former Washington Wild Things on the rosters.

Between Banana Ball and Cosmic Baseball, I knew about 10 players from their indy ball careers.

@kmthomp29

Banana Ball at PNC Park 🫶 #BananaBall #SavannahBananas #TexasTailgaters #Baseball #Pittsburgh

♬ Best Day Ever – Mac Miller

I’ve known these guys for years. I can’t even put into words what it meant to see you guys out there playing the sport you love and enjoying all that this life has to offer you. Because I’ve seen the struggles. I’ve been there through the releases and the signings. I’ve celebrated your successes. And now I get to see it on the biggest stage. I am SO PROUD. It is an honor to follow your journeys and call you my friends. It’s so much more than baseball. What you do on the field is important, but the humans you are and the lives you touch is so much more important.

Cosmic Baseball is new on the scene and shares some similarities with Banana Ball but adds its own twist: bright neon colors under black lights.

Currently featuring two teams—the Cosmic Chili Peppers and the Glomojis—the format mixes tradition and innovation.

The first four innings are played under normal lights but with their own rules (a fan threw out the legitimate first pitch of the game, a young fan drew a reverse Uno card and the players ran to third instead of first after a hit), but the next four are under black lights. Each of those innings ends with a one-on-one home run derby, with runs counting toward the total score. It’s a blast to watch, and there are some serious power hitters involved.

Like the Bananas, Cosmic Baseball begins with a block party. Players mingle with fans, sign autographs, show off hidden talents, and dance. There are concerts (with the players as the band), conga lines, and nonstop energy.

@kmthomp29

Cosmic Takeover Tour Toledo @Cosmic Chili Peppers @Glow Mojis #CosmicBaseball #BaseballBoys #ChiliPeppers #GlowMojis #Baseball

♬ original sound – Kayla Thompson

What stood out the most to me? Players refusing to leave the fans. Even when staff tried to send them back to prepare for the game, many stayed outside, making sure every fan got an autograph or picture. That kind of connection makes the experience personal and unforgettable.

This brings me back to the USPBL’s Real Baseball, Real Fun initiative. Unlike Banana Ball or Cosmic Baseball, the USPBL plays a traditional nine-inning game with standard rules. But they infuse fun and interaction throughout:

• Players greet fans at the gates.
• They mingle in the stands and kids’ areas.
• They sign autographs mid-game when possible.
• Home run celebrations are creative and unique.

The baseball remains competitive and uncompromised, but the players show personality and engage with fans in ways that traditional pro ball often discourages.

And honestly—that’s where I think baseball as a whole needs to go.

We don’t need to price families out of the ballpark.
We don’t need blackout restrictions.
We don’t need players too distant—or too worried—to engage with fans.

There’s room for Banana Ball, Cosmic Baseball, and Real Baseball, Real Fun alongside Major League Baseball and its affiliates.

The game itself doesn’t need to change.
But the focus on fans first shouldn’t stop with the Bananas.

That’s what’s missing from professional baseball.

I don’t think Banana Ball is going to compromise baseball. I don’t think it is a joke or going to make people dislike the actual sport more. I think it is going to elevate it to where it needs to be.

Last night, I saw 10 kids wearing Savannah Bananas gear at the Wild Things game. Those kids saw a Banana Ball game and then wanted to come to an independent game the very next day.

Lightning in a bottle?

A circus?

Or just a family friendly environment that draws people in?

Major League baseball, their affiliates, and indy ball can all take notes.