Banana Ball in Boise

Trevor and I flew to Boise, Idaho two weeks ago to visit my mom and my sister's family. We chose the timeframe we did for a very special reason: we were there to attend a Banana Ball game. I've been wanting to go for years, so it was so exciting that it was finally going to happen. After we weren't chosen during the lottery for tickets for the game in Sacramento, my sister (Kari) and brother-in-law (Brian) worked hard to secure tickets for us in Boise. I am so grateful!

If you're not familiar with Banana Ball, it's a highly entertaining, fast-paced version of baseball with rules designed to maximize the action. The antics of Banana Ball lead to comparisons with the Harlem Globetrotters, although there are key differences. Banana Ball games are not scripted and all six teams within the league compete to win, whereas the Globetrotters always play the same opponent and (nearly) always win. 

This was the first time that Banana Ball came to Idaho. The people of Boise, particularly at the host venue of Boise State, were really excited.

 

In the days before we flew, I was really nervous that the game was going to be canceled or postponed. Not only was the temperature in Boise topping 100°F, but the air quality was absolutely horrible, with numbers reaching well into the Hazardous level. Fortunately, the air quality improved significantly before the game. It was still smoky (and HOT) but not dangerously so. Hurray!

The game we saw featured the Party Animals vs the Texas Tailgaters. I decided to root for the Party Animals. 

The Party Animals' mascot is named Pharty. He has quite a backstory. 

Our group was seated in three different areas. Kari and I were together. 

Here is Trevor with my mom. And Brian with Timothy and Allison. 

  

We arrived in plenty of time for the pre-game festivities. 

We weren't allowed to bring water into the stadium (100°+) and the lines to buy water were outrageous. Brian stood in line to get waters for all of us. He and Allison came by to deliver them. 

While our seats were good for watching the game and the antics, they were pretty terrible for photography. All my pictures are through a net and into the sun. You can barely make out the Boise Bronco on the field toward the back. 

During the pre-game (and throughout the game) there was so much going on. It was hard to know where to look. The guy in the blue morph suit was slowly making his way toward the pitcher while teams of dancers were performing and players were in the crowds giving away stuff. 

The music is constant. Literally. Songs change every 10-30 seconds and there is no break between them. Songs play throughout the game, which is not a thing in standard baseball. There's always somebody dancing somewhere. 

Because the Boise games were played at a football stadium and not a baseball stadium, there were some quirks that were a lot of fun. One example: there were no dugouts, so all the players were just right there. 

To our left, a make-shift bullpen. 

It was a HUGE relief when the sun finally dipped enough to be partially blocked by the stadium. It was so hot and it made a big difference not to be in direct sun. 

The friends of Brian who were sitting with Kari and me left with 30 minutes on the clock to avoid the crush of 36,000 people so Timothy, Allison, and Brian took their seats. 

Kari, Mom, Trevor, and I left with 15 minutes remaining so that we too could get ahead of the masses. 

The Party Animals ended up winning the game 4-1. Yea! 

Watching Banana Ball in person is a fantastic experience, but so it watching it on TV. I was really happy to see the game on YouTube. It was really fun to watch the things I saw from a better angle... and even more fun to see the things I completely missed! 

I am so glad to have been to a Banana Ball game. I would happily go again, although ideally on a much cooler day and in real seats instead of bleachers. I'd especially like to see the original team, the Savannah Bananas, play. Huge thanks to Kari and Brian for everything they did for me to experience this bucket-list item!