Banana Ball World Tour wraps up its Sioux Falls stop

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The Banana Ball World Tour wrapped up its stop in Sioux Falls on Saturday night. The fast-paced games are known for putting entertainment first and players say this stop was a perfect fit for the tour's the lineup.

The players of Banana Ball are no strangers to barnstorming the country, and this weekend the circus stopped in Sioux Falls and the players added the smaller venue at The Birdcage brought something special.

"We absolutely love having those big stadiums, but nothing feels more like a banana ball game and a banana ball love and culture than coming to a place like Sioux Falls," Christian Dearman said.

The Indianapolis Clowns and Firefighters demonstrated that Banana Ball is more than just baseball. From dancing and costumes to players taking new roles: including Firefighters trick pitcher Christian Dearman who traded the bat and glove for a paintbrush and canvas this weekend.

"In Banana Land, we always like to think outside of the box or outside of the picture frame, you should say, you know. And as an entertainment player like I am, every single weekend we got different things going on. This weekend, I just happen to be Bob Ross, where I'm painting some amazing paintings like this one right here of Bo the Beaver and this one of my teammate Austin Temple and Chief the Bat Dog," Dearman said while showing off his artwork.

The paintings, while for fun, will go toward a great cause as they will be placed on auction with all the proceeds going to Bananas Foster. A nonprofit focused on inspiring, celebrating and educating the foster care community.

Former Major Leaguer Jackie Bradley Junior says Sioux Falls gave him something else, a new city to experience the game and fans who embraced it as well.

"I think this has been a very unique city. It's somewhere I've never been before and it took banana ball to bring me here. I'm excited to be here," Bradley Jr. said.

The former Gold Glove winner and 2018 World Series champion added that connection with the fans is what Banana Ball is all about.

"They're true fans and they're, for the most part, pulling for all of the teams because of what we're able to do and that's put the fans first," Bradley Jr. said.

With the Sioux Falls stop now in the books, players say the memories and most importantly, the fans, is what sticks with them as the show goes on.