Congratulations to Jesse Cole: Fans Applaud Founder of Banana Ball as He Receives Prestigious Award
*Savannah, GA — September 15, 2025*
In a night filled with cheers, yellow tuxedos, and more than a few backflips, Jesse Cole — the visionary founder of the Savannah Bananas and creator of “Banana Ball” — was honored with the **National Humanitarian Impact Award** for his groundbreaking work in blending sports, community, and social change.
The award, presented at a packed ceremony in New York City this past weekend, recognizes individuals who use their platform to create meaningful impact beyond their industries. For Jesse Cole, it marked a powerful moment in a career that has always defied expectations — and rewritten the rules.
### From Eccentric Idea to Global Movement
Jesse Cole’s journey began not with fame, but with failure. Years ago, the Savannah Bananas were just a struggling collegiate baseball team with dwindling attendance and no future. Cole, along with his wife Emily, bet everything — including their savings — on the idea that sports could be fun again.
Out of that risk came “Banana Ball,” a new take on baseball featuring dancing players, on-field karaoke, trick plays, and a two-hour time limit. The Savannah Bananas quickly became a viral sensation, selling out every home game and embarking on national tours that packed stadiums from coast to coast.
But while the world saw the wild antics and the yellow top hat, something deeper was happening behind the scenes.
### The Heart Behind the Hype
“What really sets Jesse apart isn’t the show,” said award presenter and former MLB star Curtis Granderson. “It’s what he’s chosen to do with the spotlight.”
Over the last two years, Jesse and Emily Cole have quietly become champions for foster care children and families across the country. After becoming licensed foster parents themselves, the couple launched **Bananas Foster**, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting foster youth through advocacy, celebration, and hands-on assistance.
The initiative includes special nights at games where foster children are brought onto the field to be honored, resource drives for foster families, and community education about the needs of kids in the system.
“For many of these kids, Jesse was the first adult who told them, ‘You matter. You’re worth celebrating,’” said Jennifer Thomas, a social worker who has partnered with Bananas Foster. “That sticks with them.”
### A Standing Ovation — On and Off the Field
The news of Cole’s award spread fast among the Banana Nation — the affectionate name for the team’s passionate fans. During the Bananas’ home game at Grayson Stadium on Sunday, the crowd surprised Jesse with a standing ovation as the team played a video montage of his work in both baseball and foster care.
“I didn’t know what to say,” Cole admitted. “It’s never been about me — it’s been about giving joy, giving hope, and giving these kids the recognition they deserve.”
Banana players wore special jerseys reading *“One Game Can Change a Life”*, and several foster families were in attendance as honored guests. In a heartfelt moment, Jesse was handed the game ball by a young girl he and Emily had once fostered — now legally adopted into their family.
“She changed our lives far more than we ever changed hers,” Jesse said, his voice shaking. “This award isn’t just mine. It belongs to every kid who’s been told they don’t belong — because they do.”
### Looking Ahead
As for what’s next, Jesse shows no signs of slowing down. The Bananas have announced plans for an international tour in 2026, and Bananas Foster is preparing to launch mentorship programs and college scholarship funds for foster youth.
“We’ve learned that joy and impact don’t have to be separate things,” he said. “When you combine them, that’s when magic happens.”
For fans of baseball, community, and heart, Jesse Cole’s story is proof that sometimes the biggest home runs aren’t hit with a bat — they’re hit with purpose.
