Banana Ball, the rule-bending version of baseball created by the Savannah Bananas, is coming to Dayton next summer. The Dayton Dragons announced Oct. 15 that two Banana Ball Championship League teams, the Firefighters and the Loco Beach Coconuts, will play Friday, Aug. 6 and Saturday, Aug. 7, 2027, at Day Air Ballpark in downtown Dayton.
For Dayton families it’s a short drive downtown, and for Cincinnati families it’s about an hour up I-75. Getting in takes more planning than a typical Dragons game, though. Tickets are sold only through a lottery, standard seats start at $35 and the sign-up window closes Oct. 31.
What Is Banana Ball?
Banana Ball is baseball with the slow parts removed and a few new ones added for the crowd. The Dragons describe it as a fans-first version of the game built around 11 rules, and the official Banana Ball rules lay them out plainly.
Each inning is worth one point to whichever team scores more runs in it, so a 6-0 inning counts the same as a 1-0 inning. Games have a two-hour time limit, and no new inning can start after that. Walks don’t exist: ball four turns into a sprint, with the batter running as far as he can while every fielder has to touch the ball before it’s live again. Batters can try to steal first base on any pitch. Bunting gets the hitter ejected. Mound visits aren’t allowed, and a batter who steps out of the box is charged a strike. Ties are settled with a one-on-one showdown rather than extra innings.
One rule worth explaining to kids before the first pitch: if a fan catches a foul ball, the batter is out. A clean catch in the stands may earn a kid cheers from half the ballpark and groans from the other half.
Who’s Coming to Dayton
Families hoping to see the Savannah Bananas themselves should know the Bananas are not on the Dayton schedule. The Banana Ball Championship League has six teams, according to Banana Ball’s help center: the Savannah Bananas, Party Animals, Firefighters, Texas Tailgaters, Loco Beach Coconuts and Indianapolis Clowns. Dayton gets the Firefighters and the Coconuts.
The Firefighters started play in 2024 and lean hard into the theme, arriving at ballparks on a fire truck. The Coconuts joined the league in 2026 with a beach theme and a reputation for trick plays. Banana Ball says every game follows the same rules and delivers the same entertainment no matter which teams take the field. Whether that holds up for a kid wearing a Bananas shirt is a conversation for that family.
How to Get Banana Ball Tickets in Dayton
The Ticket Lottery
All interested fans, including Dragons season ticket holders, are encouraged to sign up for the ticket lottery at BananaBall.com before it closes Oct. 31 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Signing up doesn’t guarantee a chance to buy. A random drawing takes place before the event, and fans who are drawn are contacted directly with next steps.
Standard tickets start at $35, and meet-and-greet tickets start at $125. The Dragons say there are no hidden fees or taxes. That puts a family of four at $140 minimum before parking and concessions. Tickets are sold only through the official lottery, and the Dragons warn that tickets offered anywhere else are likely fraudulent, so resale listings are best skipped.
Dragons Season Ticket Holder Presale
Dragons season ticket holders get the first shot through a presale in January. The team will send an opt-in email to gauge interest, and the list of interested holders goes to the Bananas organization, which will try to offer tickets to as many of them as possible. That’s an effort, not a promise, which is why the Dragons also recommend season ticket holders enter the public lottery.
Families not currently on a Dragons plan can ask about season tickets by calling 937-228-2287, emailing [email protected] or filling out the Dragons season ticket interest form. Plans start at eight-game packages, about two games a month. Whether a plan bought now would guarantee Banana Ball access isn’t stated, so it’s worth asking before committing.
Hospitality Seating
Hospitality areas will be available for both games, including the suite level, Diamond Club, Dragons Lair, party decks, Club Level front row, 4Topps and the first five rows of seats. The Dragons are contacting sponsors and suite lease holders directly with those options.
For more ideas to fill the months before August, see our list of things to do in Southwest Ohio with kids.
Plan Your Visit
- Where: Day Air Ballpark, 220 N. Patterson Blvd., Dayton, OH 45402
- When: Friday, Aug. 6 and Saturday, Aug. 7, 2027
- Game times: TBA for both games
- Teams: Firefighters vs. Loco Beach Coconuts
- Tickets: Standard from $35, meet-and-greet from $125, sold only through the lottery at BananaBall.com
- Lottery deadline: Oct. 31 at 11:59 p.m. EDT
- Parking: The Dragons list featured lots and sell parking online on their directions and parking page. Metered street spaces are free after 6 p.m. and on weekends. A wheelchair-accessible drop-off is off Monument Avenue at the front of the stadium.
- More information: Dayton Dragons Banana Ball page
