YOU CAN'T SEE THIS! (anywhere besides BananaBall)

    

    Opening weekend of BananaBall has come and gone, which means it's time for roundups of the top moments! Tampa, Florida was the home of the opener once again this year on February 8th, 9th, and 10th, and there were some HUGE surprises in store for the fans.

Game 1:

1. Dalton Cornett's first at bat in the 1st inning. Cornett hit a foul ball back directly behind home plate and umpire Vincent Chapman decided he wanted to try to catch the ball but bobbled the catch. What a thrill to watch;
   
   
2. During Noah Fisher's at bat in the 3rd inning, the Party Animals paid tribute to Toby Keith, "Red Solo Cup"s and all;
3. During Dakota "Stilts" Albritton's at bat in the 7th inning, we see the first TRIPLE TRICK PLAY in Bananaball history- each infielder bounced the ball to each other and still got it to first base in time for the out and the fans were LOUD about it;
   
   
4. New this year is the Golden Batter rule- where any batter in the lineup can go up to the plate once per game at any point, regardless of where the lineup is at in rotation. Bringing the last moments to a heart dropping start, the Bananas were the first team to use this rule this year and sent Dan Oberst up to bat in place of Ryan Cox in the 9th inning. Unfortunately, Oberst hit a ground ball to shortstop and it was a perfect hit for a double play between shortstop, second base, and first base.

Game 2:

1. In the 1st inning, the Bananas use a pinch hitter for Dan Oberst- former major league player and World Series Champion Nick Swisher;
   
   
2. The first home run of the season was hit in the 4th inning by none other than Dan Oberst;
   
   
3. Since the Super Bowl was the same weekend as the Bananaball season start, it was only fitting that the Bananas performed their first halftime show- a recreation of "Sweet Victory" from Spongebob;
4. The Party Animals finally used the Golden Batter rule by sending up Reece Hampton in the 9th inning instead of Jason Swan, but unfortunately he hit a fly ball to center field for the out. The Bananas also sent up their Golden Batter in the bottom half of the inning, Dan Oberst went up in place of Bill LeRoy, but he hit a ground ball to shortstop, and Chase Achuff was able to throw the ball between his legs in time for the out what a play. 

Game 3:

1. The Bananas used a pinch hitter again in the 1st inning for Dan Oberst, but this time it was 16 time WWE Champion John Cena;
   
   
2. During the 3rd inning, Dustin Baber hits a foul ball directly behind the plate, and umpire Vincent Chapman decides to try catching it again like he tried in game 1, but this time he actually does catch;
3. In the 8th inning, Jake Skole hits his first home run of the year.

    The biggest highlight to me from the weekend is that the Party Animals didn't lose their motivation and steam from last season. To end the 2023 tour, the Animals had to win 9 straight games to come out as the season winners, and they extended that streak into a 12 game win streak to start the 2024 season. 

    There were two stand out players from each team to me during this series. From the Party Animals, I was really impressed to see what Noah Fisher is capable of both in the batters box and on the field. Reece Hampton also stood out to me because he looks like he never took time off during the off season. His at bats were almost always hits, and his ability to field balls in the outfield were phenomenal. From the Bananas, I was impressed with Brandon Crosby and the energy and athleticism he brings to the team. Ryan Cox is an obvious standout to me because he was the leader in trick plays last season, so I'm looking to see what new tricks he pulls from up his sleeve this tour.