ALLENTOWN, Pa.— Take a baseball game and combine first-base sprints, dancing umpires and a whole lot of adrenaline.
That's Banana Ball, a game its founders say has taken the world by storm.
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs have announced it will host the Party Animals — the foremost protagonists of Banana Ball — for two games July 5-6 at Coca-Cola Park as part of the Banana Ball World Tour.
Banana Ball is like just like baseball, according to founder Jesse Cole.
Except, it's not.
While conceptualizing the idea of "banana ball," Cole has said he sought to remove the typical lags and lulls associated with a typical baseball game.
Instead, batters can steal first, bunting is a no-no and, most notably, if a fan catches a foul ball, it's an out.
There may even be a backflip or two.
The Party Animals are among four teams in the country known for playing Banana Ball, a game that, since its inception in 2018, "has become the fastest and most entertaining game in sports," according to an IronPigs release.
The Party Animals' rival team, The Savannah Bananas, also sell out football and baseball stadiums around the country, the release says.
Tickets must be purchased via entry into a lottery, which closes Nov. 1. From there, a random drawing will take place two months before the event for the chance to buy available tickets.
Tickets for the Party Animals at will go on sale about two months before the games. Standard tickets start at $35 while VIP tickets start at $100.
Ages 3 and younger get in free but will be expected to sit on a lap.
Banana Ball started in 2021 and has been featured on the ESPN+ series "Bananaland," HBO Real Sports and NESN.
The sport has 11 unique rules that keep an emphasis on continuous play. They include no walks, and games have a two-hour limit.
To learn more about The Party Animals, Banana Ball and more, visit their website.
