On Friday evening, I had the privilege of watching the Savannah Bananas at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. I had seen clips on Instagram of the Savannah Bananas playing baseball with a few tricks and some funny dance moves, so that’s what I was expecting to see. I did see those things, but it was that and so much more. What I witnessed on the field was a variety show that mashed up baseball, the circus, a dance party, professional wrestling, and Broadway. P.T. Barnum would have been proud to be a part of this show.

While this spectacle is as entertaining as anything I can remember, there is also real baseball being played by legit athletes. They were making great plays, hitting home runs, and catching fly balls behind their back, then showing off their dance moves. The talent on the field was incredible. While I was entirely in the moment of sheer joy as I danced and sang with my family and friends, it was in a slight moment of pause while I looked around at the 47,000 other people dancing and singing that it hit me how incredible this sight was.

For nearly three hours, the Bananas and their opponents, the Firefighters, entertained us, and everyone was happy. Everyone became a kid again. We were all friends having a blast without a care in the world. The players on the field were competing, and I’m sure they wanted to win, but they were doing so in a positive, fun way. The umpires were on the field making calls, but they were dancing and entertaining while they did so. All the people in the crowd probably don’t agree on everything outside of the stadium, but in there, everyone was getting along and having a blast.

I walked out of that stadium surrounded by people wearing bananas on their shirts, hands, and some even in full banana costumes, thinking that this is exactly what our world needs. We need a bunch of bananas running around spreading happiness. I’m not sure why adults are often so lame, fighting about all our little differences, and creating such significant divides. It was clear that when brought together in the name of fun, we all want the same things: to be healthy, happy, and have a good time. Witnessing this many people become kids again was incredible. I want to thank Jesse Cole, who created Banana Ball and the Savannah Bananas, and who was on the field in all yellow, contributing to the fun, and everyone on his teams, for spreading so much joy

I highly recommend finding your way to a Savannah Bananas game. I have high hopes that this movement of fun and entertainment will sweep across America, shifting people’s focus and reminding everyone what’s important in life. I can’t wait to go to my next Savannah Bananas game.