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- The Savannah Bananas have upgraded their home stadium, Historic Grayson Stadium, with new turf, lighting, and a video board.
- The improvements were funded in part by $3 million from the city of Savannah’s Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) VII.
- The Bananas will play about 30 games in Savannah this season, including the first-ever tour championship between all four Banana Ball teams.
Savannah Bananas catcher Bill LeRoy crouched on one knee behind the bullpen plate on a cold, dreary Savannah afternoon. When the ball hit his glove, he quickly dropped it into his open hand, bounced it off the turf and then attempted to kick it back up with his foot. LeRoy will begin his eighth season on Feb. 1, working from behind the plate. But before Banana Ball had taken the world by storm, LeRoy found himself working to make much needed improvements to the locker rooms at Historic Grayson Stadium.
“I actually ripped out some of the floor to the locker rooms and painted a lot of the locker rooms to make it look a little bit nicer,” he recalled of his early days when the team was just getting started “So, truly, just firsthand got to experience the growth of this place. It’s just a blessing to be a part of.”
The Savannah Bananas went all in with the Banana Ball World Tour in 2023 and last year expanded the tour to play in front of sold-out crowds at six major league ball parks. In January, players from both the Savannah Bananas and Party Animals returned to Historic Grayson Stadium for their spring practice as they prepare for a “record breaking” 2025 season.
While the players warmed up, Coach Tyler Gillum asked to have the lights turned on. A quick phone call later and the newly installed LED lighting system flashed, illuminating the players below as they tossed balls back and forth, occasionally bouncing one off the new artificial turf field.
Building brick by brick
Before practice Coach Tyler Gillum gave a speech to the players about how Banana Ball was being built ‘brick by brick by brick’. “I’ve been here since 2018, and Jesse and Emily were building it.” Said Gillum “And here’s the next level of putting another brick on the Banana kingdom here. The new turf is unbelievable. We’re gonna be able to play more games. We’re not going to get rained out as much. And it’s going to help with trick plays, too. The guys are fired up about the turf.”
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Aside from the improved lighting and turf, a new videoboard loomed in the background, replacing the old one that was struck by lightning years ago. The improvements were part of an updated lease agreement between the Bananas and the city of Savannah that included $3 million from Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) VII proceeds earmarked for the historic facility, which will mark 100 years in 2026. It is a significant investment, considering Savannah is one of the smallest stadiums the teams will play during the 2025 Banana Ball World Tour.
Major League field and lights
As Banana Ball continues to grow in popularity, team owner Jesse Cole is looking for new ways to play before more fans―without playing more games. This season includes playing at 18 Major League Baseball parks and three football stadiums that will hold between 69,000 fans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, home of the Tennessee Titans, to 81,000 fans at Clemson’s Memorial Stadium.
“I think it speaks a lot to how much we care and how much pride we have about being from Savannah,” said Bananas pitcher Kyle Luigs, “because this isn’t far off any of the surfaces that we’re going to play anywhere this year.”
With about 30 games scheduled for play in Savannah this season, including the first-ever tour championship between all four Banana Ball teams―Savannah Bananas, Party Animals, Firefighters and Texas Tailgaters―there will be plenty of opportunities for players to show off their skills on the new turf without Mother Nature interfering and flooding the field.
“The turf is awesome,” added Party Animals pitcher Bret Helton “It’s very cool knowing we can show up to work without one extra thing. You know, getting practice delayed or practice or a game canceled. It’s very cool being like, all right, we’re going to show up here. We’re going to push the envelope.”
Richard Burkhart is the visual journalist for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach RBBurkhart@gannett.com.
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The Savannah Bananas are gearing up for an exciting season at their newly upgraded home, Grayson Stadium! After months of renovations and improvements, the stadium is now ready to welcome fans back for thrilling baseball games and unforgettable experiences.
With new amenities, enhanced seating options, and state-of-the-art facilities, Grayson Stadium promises to provide an even better game day experience for fans of the Savannah Bananas. From the moment you step foot inside the stadium, you’ll be surrounded by the electric atmosphere and infectious energy that the Bananas are known for.
As the team prepares to take the field and showcase their talent, fans can look forward to an action-packed season filled with exciting games, entertaining promotions, and plenty of opportunities to cheer on their favorite players. Whether you’re a die-hard baseball fan or just looking for a fun night out with friends and family, Grayson Stadium is the place to be this season.
So grab your tickets, put on your Bananas gear, and get ready to experience the magic of baseball at Grayson Stadium. The Savannah Bananas are ready to hit the field and make this season one to remember!
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Savannah Bananas, Grayson Stadium, baseball season, Savannah sports, minor league baseball, Savannah Bananas news, Grayson Stadium upgrades, baseball season kickoff, Savannah Bananas team, sports in Savannah
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