CLEVELAND — More than 30,000 people will cram into the stands tonight at Progressive Field to watch some Banana Ball.

What You Need To Know

  • The Savannah Bananas are playing against The Party Animals at 7 p.m. at Progressive Field in Cleveland as part of their 2024 Banana Ball World Tour

  • The Savannah Bananas are an exhibition baseball team that is known for their combination of sports and entertainmnet, which has gained more than 300 millions views on TikTok

  • One of the newest players, Kyle Jackson, grew up in Bowling Green, Ohio, and is now returning to his homeland to give fans a unique performance

"It's going to be a full circle moment for sure," Kyle Jackson said.

Jackson is the newest banana baller, joining The Savannah Bananas, an exhibition baseball team, after graduating from Kent State University in May. The team has become nationally known, regularly gaining millions of views on their TikTok page, for their combination of sports and stagecraft out on the field. Tonight, the baseball team will be showing off their batting gear, baseball bats and occasional backflips as they play against their sister team, The Party Animals. 

The 22-year-old baseball player grew up in Bowling Green, Ohio. In college, Jckason said he minored in theater, but auditioning for the team was a whole other ball game.

"The tryout process was interesting, exciting and quick," he said. "I've never had an experience like where I was just thrown to the fire and do something new, but it was cool."

Now, Jackson is showing off his signature dance move, inspired by the famous moonwalker, which he calls "The Jackson."

Adam Virant is leading the team of multi-talented players as one of the coaches and the director of baseball operations.

"Being a former lawyer, working in travel baseball, working in college and professional abseball, and I was able to bring all that skill set to the Bananas and help them really grow their game," Virant said.

He's helped perfect the part-dance, part-concert and part-comedy show performance, which is touring across the country, growing its fan base, and now, filling major league ballparks.

"We've been to about 20 plus cities already aacros the country, from as far away as Sacramento, all the way down to Tampa and everywhere in between," Virant said.

He has one piece of advice for the thousands of people in the stands.

"Don't lose your seat, [and] keep your head on swivel because something amazing is going to happen and you don't want to miss," he said.

As fans try to catch every second of the show, players like Jackson are also trying to make every minute count.

"I try to not make myself get too big and just like to really live in the moment," Jackson said. "Just recognize how blessed I am to even be able to wear this brand and be out here in front of all the fans."