A couple days ago, I saw a tweet about something called “Banana Ball”.
Didn’t think anything of it and just kept scrolling. Then about an hour later, I saw videos explaining the rules. After watching all the videos, I immediately became intrigued and felt like this needed to be talked about. First and foremost, who are the Savannah Bananas? The Savannah Bananas are an independent league baseball team that reside in Savannah, Georgia. They have gone viral numerous of times on social media due to their eye-popping uniforms, and fan-engaged events at their games. Now, they plan on making baseball entertaining and fun again.
Rule 1: Every Inning Counts
This rule basically states instead of keeping track of score for every run that is scored, you keep track of what team has a won an inning. Instead of the away team getting their score by scoring 2 runs in the 1st and 4 more in the 5th inning to get a total of 6 runs, Banana Rule #1 states that you get points for inning every inning. For example, if the away team scores 3 runs in the top of the 1st, then the home team has to score 4 runs in order to get the point. If the home team only scores 1 run in the bottom of the 1st,then the away team gets the point and lead the game 1-0. If the home team scores 4 runs and then gets three outs, then the no one gets the point and game remains tied at 0-0. If the home team scores 5 runs in the bottom of the 1st, then the home team gets the point and the home team now leads the game 1-0. And this continues on for the remainder 9 innings. First team to win 5 innings or have the most innings won at the end of 9 innings, win the game.
This is an idea that I can get behind because it encourages action. And that is the main reason behind the “Banana Ball” rules. It’s to make the games entertaining and fun for the fans that go to the game. The more runs scored, the more excitement. The thing that I like the most about the “Every Inning Counts” rule is the fact that it gives us potential walk offs every inning. If the home team just scores 1 more run than the away team, then the inning is over and the home team gets the point and wins the inning, giving us a “walk off”.
Rule 2: 2 Hour Time Limit
This rule states that no matter what inning you are in, once the time reaches the 2 hour mark, the game is over. If an inning is going on when the 2 hour mark is reached, then that is the final inning, no matter if it’s the 7th, 8th, or 9th inning. The one thing that doesn’t make the game end at the 2 hour mark, is if the game is tied or if no team has 5 points. If that is the case, then we enter extra innings and go to the “ShowDown”.
I personally like this rule because, the fact of the matter is, baseball games can get long and can end up being boring. I have even been to games at Dodger Stadium where I would leave in the 7th or 8th inning in order to “beat traffic” or because the game is getting out of hand or taking forever. This also fixes one of the major issues in baseball which is; casual fans say games take too long.
Rule 3: No Stepping Out
This rule is stating that hitters are no longer allowed to step out in between pitches. This will speed up the game because during a normal game of baseball, a batter steps out after every pitch because they are conditioned to do that since the age of 10 to get the sign from the 3rd base coach. Once you reach a certain age and years of experience playing the game, you don’t have to get the sign from the 3rd base coach because you should know what to do in certain situations, especially if you’re in the big leagues or playing pro ball. So, what happens if a batter does step out? Well he will get penalized with a strike. So if the count is 1 ball and 0 strikes and the batter steps out, then the count becomes 1 ball and 1 strikes.
I like this rule because it kills off the unnecessary dead time in between pitches. Yeah stepping out is a force of habit, but a bad habit. And sure the first year this rule is implemented the batter’s will break it a lot, but by year 2 they will be used to it and won’t step out anymore.
Rule 4: No Bunting
This rule eliminates the opportunity to bunt. According to the rule, bunting will no longer be allowed in Banana Ball. The reasoning? Because “bunting sucks”. If a batter does bunt, then they are ejected from the game.
Now, I am split on this rule. I get why they are making this a rule; because they want to get more casual fans to talk about the game of baseball, and usually they only do that when a massive home run is hit. But I simply don’t agree with completely taking bunting out of the game because it takes away an integral part of a player’s game, as well as strategy. Let’s say Joey Gallo is getting shifted on and he has the entire left side of the field empty. A smart player would push bunt down the 3rd base side and get a for sure hit, as opposed to striking out or hitting a ball to the right side of the field and being out 99% of the time. If it was up to me I wouldn’t do this rule and this is the first rule I don’t agree with or like.
Rule 5: Stealing 1st Base
With this rule, if a wild pitch occurs in an at-bat, then the batter is allowed to make a run for first base, and evidently “stealing 1st base”. But, once a batter makes a motion to run to 1st base, he can’t go back to being the hitter, so if the ball reaches 1st before him then he is ruled out and his at-bat is over.
I like this rule because, again it creates excitement and unpredictability. Unless there are runners on base when a pitcher throws a wild pitch, then wild pitches are useless and a waste of time. Not only does this rule encourage riskiness, but catchers are also being told to work on blocking pitchers so that batters can’t steal 1st.
Rule 6: No Walks
This rule won’t necessarily take walks away, instead it adds a new twist to it. So when a walk occurs, the batter will sprint and can continue to run to every base. While the batter runs, the fielding team has to throw the ball around to every position player before being able to tag the runner out. So that means, if the fielding team takes a long time to get the ball back to the catcher, then the batter will be able to “hit” a “homerun” without even hitting the ball with a bat.
I love this rule because of the unpredictability. It gives the hitting team chances to score more. It also involves one of the best “drills” we would do in all levels of baseball the rely game. I’m here for it.
Rule 7: 1on1 Tiebreaker Showdown
With this rule, when we go into extra innings, then instead of playing another regular inning, there would be a 1 on 1 showdown. The only defensive player on the field will be the pitcher. So if a batter hits a ball to the outfield, the pitcher will have to go get the ball himself and tag the batter out in order to record the out. If the batter is out then the inning is over. If the batter hits a double, another hitter will come up to bat. If the batter hits a foul out, flyout, popout, strikes out, etc. he is out and the inning is over. If both teams continue to score in extra innings, then the first team to not allow a run will win the game.
I absolutely love it. Instead of having games go on for an additional 2 hours and 4 innings, we end it right away or go through 5 innings in a matter of 30 minutes. The more excitement, the better the games will be. It also includes the potential for a walk-off inside-the-park home run.
Rule 8: No Mound Visits
This rule eliminates mound visits from the game entirely. Catchers will not be able to talk to pitchers on the mound. Position players can’t talk to pitchers on the mound. And coaches won’t be able to go out to talk to pitchers or catchers or infielders.
This is another rule I disagree with. I absolutely hate it. It takes away strategy from the game. Not only that, but let’s say a catcher calls for a fastball but the pitcher throws a curveball and thus they aren’t on the same page in regards to signs. The catcher needs to go out there in order for them to get on the same page. Coaches should go out there in case their pitchers getting in trouble and they need time to get a reliever enough time.
Rule 9: If a Fan Catches a Foul Ball the Hitter is Out
This rule states, that if a ball is hit in the air and into the stands, then if a fan catches it before the ball hits the floor the batter is out.
I like this rule because it encourages fans to be more involved in the game. As well as encourages fans to make more spectacular plays in the stands, like catching a ball while holding a baby or catching a ball with your beer.
All in all, I like 7 of the 9 rules because it will make the game more entertaining and fun to watch. I will take the 7 rules of Banana Ball over the stupid rules that Rob Manfred is implementing like a 3-batter minimum rule or limiting the shift usage. This is how you make baseball fun, Rob not making stupid pointless rules.
