From Banana Ball to Big Impact: How Savannah Bananas’ Jesse Cole Is Turning Baseball Into a Platform for Change—Championing Foster Care Kids One Game at a Time**
*Savannah, GA — September 15, 2025*
What began as a quirky baseball experiment full of dancing players, banana-colored tuxedos, and rules like “no bunting allowed,” has evolved into something far more powerful than anyone imagined.
At the heart of the *Savannah Bananas* phenomenon is Jesse Cole — the exuberant, top-hat-wearing founder and visionary behind “Banana Ball.” But beyond the circus-like energy of his viral team lies a mission with a much deeper purpose: to use baseball not just to entertain, but to **uplift foster care kids and families across America**.
### A Platform Like No Other
Over the past few years, the Savannah Bananas have exploded in popularity, selling out stadiums nationwide and amassing millions of followers across social media. But Jesse Cole and his wife Emily saw the team’s momentum as more than just a chance to build a baseball empire — they saw it as a **platform for good**.
“We realized that people weren’t just watching for the entertainment — they were listening to what we had to say,” Jesse explained. “So we asked ourselves, what story do we really want to tell?”
That question led to the launch of **Bananas Foster**, a nonprofit founded by the Coles in 2024. The organization supports foster children and families by raising awareness, honoring caregivers, and creating memorable experiences for kids who’ve faced unimaginable challenges.
### From the Field to the Foster System
The inspiration was personal. After learning about the overwhelming number of children in foster care — many of whom age out of the system without ever finding a permanent home — Jesse and Emily became licensed foster parents in 2023. Since then, they’ve opened their home to several children, some of whom they’ve gone on to adopt.
“It changed everything,” Emily said. “Foster care isn’t easy — it’s emotional, it’s unpredictable, and it can be heartbreaking. But every child deserves to feel safe, seen, and celebrated.”
And that’s exactly what the Bananas aim to do — celebrate these kids in the biggest way possible.
### The Bananas Foster Game Nights
At select games on their nationwide tour, the team now hosts “Bananas Foster Nights,” dedicated to highlighting the resilience of foster families and the kids at the heart of the system. During these events, the spotlight shifts from the players to real heroes: foster parents, social workers, and of course, the kids.
They receive custom jerseys. They get to throw out the first pitch. They dance on the field with the players. They are, if only for one night, **the stars of the show**.
“For a lot of these kids, it’s the first time they’ve ever been cheered for,” said Jesse. “That moment — when they feel like they belong — that’s bigger than baseball.”
### Beyond the Stadium
Bananas Foster doesn’t stop at game day fanfare. The nonprofit also organizes resource drives, connects potential foster parents to local agencies, and provides direct support for families, such as meals, transportation, and emergency supplies. The Coles hope to eventually expand into transitional housing and educational programs for youth aging out of care.
“We’re not trying to fix the system overnight,” Emily said. “But we want to remind these kids — and the people caring for them — that they matter.”
### A Banana-Fueled Future
As the Savannah Bananas continue to break the mold of what a sports team can be, Jesse Cole hopes their legacy isn’t just about viral videos or packed stadiums.
“If all we do is entertain, we’ve missed the point,” he said. “We’ve got this wild, wonderful platform — why not use it to build something that outlasts the final inning?”
One game, one child, one cheer at a time — the Bananas are swinging for something far bigger than baseball.
