Next on the schedule
Next Banana Ball game: Party Animals vs Firefighters
- Date
- Stadium
- Dehler Park, Billings, MT
- Game time
- Watch
- FF YouTube
Ticket status: sold out for this listing.
Independent Banana Ball guide
Banana Ball: rules, teams, schedule, and scores
Banana Ball is a rule-modified variant of baseball. It keeps pitching, hitting, fielding, and baserunning, but awards points by inning, uses a two-hour time limit, turns ball four into a sprint instead of a walk, bans bunting, and allows a steal of first on any pitch. A clean fan catch on a foul ball can create an out, team and fan challenges can change rulings, and Showdown resolves a tie after the time limit.
Search Banana Ball teams, players, and games
Most recent result
Firefighters vs Party Animals
Firefighters defeated Party Animals 6–4 in Banana Ball points on Sat, Aug 15 at The Ballpark at America First Square, South Jordan, UT.
- Firefighters
- 6
- Party Animals
- 4
Start here
What is Banana Ball?
Banana Ball keeps the familiar baseball setting but changes how innings, points, time, base running, defense, fans, and the final result work. Its 11 rules shape the live action, while the score and box score show what happened.
Scoring
Banana Ball awards points by inning
Each regulation inning is worth one point. The team with more runs in that inning earns the point, while the final inning counts every run toward the team total.
Pace
Banana Ball uses a two-hour game clock
The game cannot start a new inning after two hours. The clock keeps the final scoring window visible and sends a tied game to Showdown instead of leaving the result unresolved.
Base running
Banana Ball turns ball four into a sprint
A hitter does not receive a traditional walk. The hitter runs while every defensive player touches the ball, and the hitter can advance as many bases as possible before the ball becomes live.
Live action
A hitter can steal first on any pitch
A passed ball or wild pitch can create a running attempt even when the batter has not reached ball four. That rule makes the pitch itself a base-running decision.
Participation
Fans and teams can challenge a ruling
A clean fan catch of a foul ball is an out. Each team receives one challenge, and fans receive one additional challenge during the game.
Tiebreaker
Showdown gives a tied game a defined finish
Showdown reduces the defense and puts the hitter under a direct scoring requirement. An out is a Showdown Shutdown, and the rounds continue until one team wins.
Banana Ball also uses lineup roles, trick pitches, challenges, and Showdown rounds alongside its core scoring and base-running rules.
Follow the action
How a Banana Ball game works
A Banana Ball game moves from inning scoring to the time limit, live base-running decisions, and Showdown when the score remains tied.
- STEP 01
Score runs inside the inning
Runs create the inning result, and the team with more runs normally earns one point. The final inning uses the special rule that every run counts.
- STEP 02
Keep the clock moving
The two-hour limit stops a new inning from starting after the clock expires. The clock makes the final regulation inning a visible closing scoring window.
- STEP 03
Use the live base-running rules
Ball four starts a sprint, a hitter can try to steal first on any pitch, and a clean fan catch of a foul ball is an out.
- STEP 04
Track trick plays and challenges
The visiting team can earn an Equalizer Point when its trick-play total is higher entering the final inning, while teams and fans can challenge defined on-field rulings.
- STEP 05
Resolve a tie with Showdown
If the game is tied after the time limit, Showdown rounds give the hitter and defense a defined tiebreaker setup until one team wins.
Read the numbers
How Banana Ball scores and stats work
A Banana Ball score is not only a run total. Points decide the game, runs and hits describe team production, trick plays can affect the visiting team’s equalizer, and player batting, pitching, and fielding statistics identify the performances behind the result.
Game score
Points decide the winner
A normal inning produces one point for the team with more runs. The final score therefore shows game points separately from the runs and hits that created those points.
Final inning
Every final-inning run counts
The final inning does not stop at the normal one-point treatment. Every run in that inning counts toward the team’s point total, so the closing frame can change the result quickly.
Trick plays
The visiting team can earn an Equalizer Point
When the visiting team has more trick plays than the home team entering the final inning, the visiting team receives the additional Equalizer Point in the Banana Ball scoring rules.
Player detail
A Banana Ball box score connects result and player performance
A Banana Ball box score pairs the final point line with inning runs and hits, then records player batting, pitching, and fielding performance.
Hitting
Hitting statistics measure offensive production
Hitting statistics record at-bats, runs, hits, home runs, runs batted in, batting average, on-base percentage, slugging, OPS, ball-four sprints, walk-offs, and stolen bases.
Pitching
Pitching statistics measure run prevention and game use
Pitching statistics record innings pitched, strikeouts, earned runs, ERA, saves, foul outs to fans, and minutes per inning.
Fielding
Fielding statistics measure defensive plays
Fielding statistics record trick-play outs, missed trick plays, errors, and missed defensive plays.
Standings
Standings compare team-level results
Team standings record wins, losses, win percentage, points scored and allowed, point differential, trick plays, games played, and games remaining.
The 2026 Banana Ball season has statistics through August 15, 2026. Completed games have points, runs, hits, trick plays, and inning lines; players have batting, pitching, and fielding metrics; teams have wins, losses, points, and trick plays.
The game mechanics
The 11 Banana Ball rules
Banana Ball’s 11 rules control inning points, the two-hour time limit, ball-four sprints, first-base steals, fan-catch outs, challenges, lineup roles, trick pitches, and Showdown.
- RULE 01
Win the inning
Every regulation inning is worth one point. The team that scores more runs in the inning earns that point; in the final inning, every run counts toward the team’s total.
- RULE 02
Two-hour limit
The game cannot start a new inning after two hours. If the teams are tied when the time limit ends, the game moves to the Showdown tiebreaker.
- RULE 03
Stay in the box
If the hitter steps out of the batter’s box, the umpire calls a strike.
- RULE 04
No bunting
A bunt is not allowed. A hitter who bunts is ejected from the game.
- RULE 05
First base can be stolen
A hitter may attempt to steal first base on any pitch, including a passed ball or wild pitch.
- RULE 06
No walks
Ball four starts a sprint instead of a walk. The hitter runs while every defensive player touches the ball and can advance as many bases as possible before the ball becomes live.
- RULE 07
No mound visits
A coach, catcher, or other player may not visit the pitcher on the mound at any time during the game.
- RULE 08
A fan foul catch is an out
A clean catch by a fan on a foul ball counts as an out for the hitter. A bobble or juggle is not a clean catch.
- RULE 09
Showdown tiebreaker
A tied game moves into Showdown rounds. The hitter must score, an out earns no point and is called a Showdown Shutdown, and the defensive setup changes as the rounds continue.
- RULE 10
Challenges
Each team may challenge one on-field ruling before the next pitch. A successful overturned challenge is retained, while an upheld or inconclusive challenge is used; fans also receive one challenge opportunity.
- RULE 11
Golden Batter
Once per game, a team may send any hitter in its lineup to bat in any lineup spot. The rule lets a team choose when its best hitter enters the order.
Terms to know
Banana Ball terms for rules, positions, and statistics
Banana Ball uses specific terms for scoring rules, lineup positions, batting, pitching, fielding, game records, and standings.
- Ball-four sprint
- Ball-four sprint is the live running action that starts when a hitter reaches ball four instead of receiving a walk. Every defensive player must touch the ball before it becomes live, and the hitter may advance as many bases as possible.
- Equalizer Point
- Equalizer Point is an additional point for the visiting team when its trick-play total is higher than the home team’s total entering the final inning.
- Showdown
- Showdown is the tiebreaker used when the game is tied at the end of the two-hour limit. Each round gives the hitter and defense a defined setup until one team wins.
- Guest Player (GP)
- Guest Player (GP) identifies a player who appears as a guest. GP identifies the player’s statistics category; it does not identify a defensive position.
- On-base percentage (OBP)
- On-base percentage (OBP) measures how often a batter reaches base.
- Win-loss record
- A win-loss record shows the number of games a team has won and lost in the competition standings.
Competition context
The six 2026 Banana Ball Championship League teams
The 2026 Banana Ball Championship League includes Savannah Bananas, Party Animals, Firefighters, Texas Tailgaters, Loco Beach Coconuts, and Indianapolis Clowns. Each team has scheduled games and a roster; standings give team records and final results give completed-game outcomes.
- Teams in the field
- 6
- Listed schedule events
- 184
- Completed games
- 147
- Upcoming games
- 37
The schedule currently runs from Thu, Feb 26 through Thu, Oct 1. The season includes 147 completed games with final scores, team totals, and player statistics.
Savannah Bananas
Savannah Bananas rank 2 in the 2026 standings with a 26–22 record (.542). The standings show 173 points scored, 156 points allowed, and 469 trick plays for Savannah Bananas.
Party Animals
Party Animals rank 5 in the 2026 standings with a 23–26 record (.469). The standings show 170 points scored, 173 points allowed, and 404 trick plays for Party Animals.
Firefighters
Firefighters rank 4 in the 2026 standings with a 23–26 record (.469). The standings show 162 points scored, 189 points allowed, and 420 trick plays for Firefighters.
Texas Tailgaters
Texas Tailgaters rank 1 in the 2026 standings with a 27–22 record (.551). The standings show 171 points scored, 150 points allowed, and 637 trick plays for Texas Tailgaters.
Loco Beach Coconuts
Loco Beach Coconuts rank 3 in the 2026 standings with a 26–24 record (.520). The standings show 183 points scored, 172 points allowed, and 466 trick plays for Loco Beach Coconuts.
Indianapolis Clowns
Indianapolis Clowns rank 6 in the 2026 standings with a 22–27 record (.449). The standings show 171 points scored, 190 points allowed, and 393 trick plays for Indianapolis Clowns.
Where the format came from
Banana Ball history and the 2026 BBCL
The timeline places the Savannah Bananas, Party Animals, Firefighters, Texas Tailgaters, Loco Beach Coconuts, and Indianapolis Clowns in the story of the 2026 league year.
Savannah Bananas founded
The Savannah Bananas baseball team is founded in Savannah, Georgia.
Foundational Banana Ball game
The first game using the foundational Banana Ball rule set is played.
Firefighters join the story
The Firefighters are announced as the third Banana Ball team.
BBCL announced
The Banana Ball Championship League is announced.
Six-team league year
The BBCL begins its first six-team league year with all six teams on the road.
The 2026 BBCL begins with six teams: Savannah Bananas, Party Animals, Firefighters, Texas Tailgaters, Loco Beach Coconuts, and Indianapolis Clowns.
Season connections
From scheduled game to final statistics
The season connects scheduled events with dated game results, team records, player statistics, and rule explanations.
- STEP 01
A scheduled event has a fixed game record
Each scheduled event has a date, teams or event name, stadium, city, game time, viewing option, and ticket status.
- STEP 02
A completed game links teams to its result
A game record connects the teams to the date, stadium, listed time, viewing information, final score, and player statistics when the game is complete.
- STEP 03
Final results link scores to player statistics
Completed results show final scores and team totals; player statistics record batting, pitching, and fielding performance.
New-fan questions
Banana Ball questions, answered
Banana Ball scoring, ties, statistics, and viewing each follow specific rules.
How is Banana Ball different from baseball?
Banana Ball is a rule-modified variant of baseball. It retains baseball’s pitching, hitting, fielding, and baserunning, but uses inning points, a two-hour limit, ball-four sprints instead of walks, no bunting, fan-catch outs, and Showdown to settle ties.
How does a Banana Ball game get decided?
A Banana Ball game is decided by points. The team with more runs wins one point in each regular inning, every run counts in the final inning, and Showdown decides a tie after the two-hour limit.
Are Banana Ball points the same as runs?
Banana Ball points are not the same as runs. Runs are scored within an inning, while points determine the inning winner and the game winner.
What happens when the pitcher throws ball four?
In Banana Ball, ball four starts a sprint instead of awarding a walk. The hitter runs while every defensive player touches the ball and can advance as many bases as possible before the ball becomes live.
What is the Equalizer Point?
The Equalizer Point is an extra Banana Ball point for the visiting team when its trick-play total is higher than the home team’s total before the final inning.
How does Showdown work?
Showdown is Banana Ball’s tiebreaker after a game reaches the two-hour limit tied. The hitter must score, a defensive out creates a Showdown Shutdown, and the rounds continue until one team wins.
Where can I find a complete Banana Ball box score?
A complete Banana Ball box score shows the final point score, team runs, hits, trick plays, inning line when available, and player batting, pitching, and fielding statistics.
Is Banana Ball scripted?
The published Banana Ball rules do not classify games as scripted or unscripted. The rules define scoring, time limits, challenges, lineup roles, and other game procedures.
Where can fans watch Banana Ball games?
Banana Ball viewing options vary by event. A game may be listed on a team YouTube channel, television network, or streaming service, and the schedule identifies the available viewing option.
How many teams are in the 2026 Banana Ball Championship League?
The 2026 Banana Ball Championship League has six teams: Savannah Bananas, Party Animals, Firefighters, Texas Tailgaters, Loco Beach Coconuts, and Indianapolis Clowns.