60,000 Fans Packed Autzen Stadium and Nobody Saw the 80 MPH Stilts Pitcher Coming

Alright, Emerald City, listen up, because something absolutely WILD went down in Eugene last weekend and you need to hear about it. Forget everything you thought you knew about baseball, because on June 27, Autzen Stadium, yes, the football stadium, transformed into a Banana Ball carnival with about 60,000 fans losing their minds for the Savannah Bananas and Party Animals. The Oregon Duck even rode in on a motorcycle while everyone was singing the fight song, but this wasn't about the Ducks. This was pure, unadulterated Banana Ball pandemonium.

The Party Animals Brought the House Down

Can you even imagine 60,000 people at a baseball game in a football stadium? It happened. Autzen was absolutely jammed with fans, not for a Ducks game, but to see the second- and third-ranked teams in the Banana Ball Championship League go head-to-head. And the vibe? Insane. People were rocking full banana costumes, banana hats, banana-printed everything. John Semar, who was there for his second game, was decked out in a bright teal suit covered in banana print. He used to be a pitcher in high school and college, and he said his coaches would make him run for trying trick plays. So for him, seeing players get *rewarded* for having fun? He said it was "awesome to get rewarded for having fun on the baseball field" and "everyone is having fun with it." That's the energy, folks.

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That’s the game.

This Ain't Your Grandma's Baseball, Folks

Kristin McCumber, also a two-time Banana Ball attendee, was wearing a fuzzy viking-style hat with bananas as horns. She called her first game "like a whole performance" and "so engaging." Her mom, Cindi Forbes, was at her first game and described what she'd seen on social media as "incredible" and "so talented." She even added, "I can't even imagine how fun it would be to be playing that." And get this, McCumber asked, "Have you ever seen somebody pitch over 80 miles an hour on stilts?" No, Kristin, I have not, and now I *need* to. Creator Jesse Cole revealed that both Eugene games were completely sold out, with a staggering 120,000 fans planned to attend over the weekend. Banana Ball games have been on ESPN, but the June 28 game was a huge step, being the first time the league was televised on ABC. Cole put it best on June 27, saying, "This weekend, more people will watch a Banana Ball game than ever before in history as it's broadcast nationally on ABC." This league has been absolutely exploding in popularity since its rules came out in 2020. So, what's next for Banana Ball? With the league hitting national TV and fans flocking in droves, it's clear this wild, entertaining version of baseball isn't slowing down. If you want pure fun, ridiculous plays, and a whole lot of smiles, you need to keep your eyes peeled for the next Banana Ball spectacle. It's a party, and everyone's invited.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.