Banana Ball takes Starkvegas by storm

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WTOK) - Starkville was absolutely bananas this weekend…and for good reason.

The Banana Ball College Tour made its final and most unforgettable stop at none other than Dudy Noble Field, turning the home of Mississippi State baseball into a circus of fun, flair, and flat-out chaos.

Party Animals head coach and star player Noah Fisher talked about who the Party Animals are at their core.

Party Animals Head Coach Mike Vavasis said, “As a whole, it’s fun chaos. That’s the way I put it. We’re a good Banana Ball team. We’re one of the most entertaining teams in the league and we like to have fun and that’s really what the key is for all teams. But I feel like the Party Animals bring that big essence to having fun at games. Cause you watch us. I mean, we have, like, Brett Held one of our pitchers. I don’t think he stops dancing outside the dugout the whole time. You just look over on our end and you see the guys genuinely love and enjoy this and I think that’s what the party must bring to it. They show the excitement and how much like you can love playing Banana Ball.”

Party Animals Utility Player Noah Fisher said, “I would say that all of us have big personalities in our own ways and this place has given us an avenue to let those personalities shine so we’re still super competitive. You’ll see that if you hang out the dugouts or. If you’re at the game, you could see that we want to win. We want to do well, but at the same rate too. We’re letting our personalities come out, and each of us are special in our own way. So that’s what the average baseball player gets to do when they come here is those areas of their life that sometimes get kind of pushed to the side. That’s brought out into the light”

It wasn’t your average ball game - it was a full on show The Party Animals showed off their signature antics, while the Texas Tailgaters brought some serious swagger of their own.

Tailgaters head coach and designated bundle of joy Sunshine talk about the impact they hope they can have on fans and the game

Texas Tailgaters Head Coach Joe Mikulik said, “You know, I think I’ve joined the big leagues. I think this is where, you know, this is the big stage now and now to be there for the young men now to mentor them in a way and then talk to young kids about, ’Hey, a dream, a dream is never is, is never over.’ You got to continue to have dreams to reach. To play in front of thousands and thousands of people at the end of each game, I ask people if they love this, if they would come back and they all hundreds and thousands that I’ve, you know, have to sign for and take pictures with us. Just to me it’s a blessing. It’s a blessing because, you know, after games and pro ball, it’s like you go into the clubhouse and the games over, you don’t interact with fans here, the walls broken down and we’re able to connect with fans in a way that and you can develop lifelong relationships through doing that, I think especially.”

“Like obviously like if you have an impact, no matter with where you go. Like if you play my only ball, the impact is like it’s there. But but all these kids absolutely love this and for me I think should be a pause influence on whoever it is like whether you win the game, lose the game is show hey, your character is more important than how you play. That’s my big overall thing,” said Texas Tailgaters Infield Jonathan ‘Sunshine’ Luders.

There were choreographed celebrations, alligator wrestling, and a unicycle. And the crowd.... Electric. Dudy Noble was packed to the brim with fans of all ages, all soaking in the fun of a Banana Ball.

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