Is Baseball Boring? Ask the Savannah Bananas

What this episode covers

In the last few years, Major League Baseball has been tweaking the rules in specific ways, like adding a pitch clock and making the bases bigger, all in the name of making the game faster and bringing in more fans. This week, we talk with baseball writer Molly Knight to hear how these changes are actually working. Then, we learn about an exhibition team that’s fundamentally changing what it means to go to a baseball game. Jared Orton is the president of the Savannah Bananas, best known for their outrageous dance moves and wild surprises on the field. What happens when an organization truly puts the fan at the center of the sporting experience? And, in a country with such rich ties to baseball, what does it take to innovate America’s pastime? Show Notes Savannah Bananas 101: Teams, rules, and more baseball facts | ESPN Savannah Bananas Story Best Entertainment Moments | The Savannah Bananas Top 10 Banana Ball Moments of 2025 | The Savannah Bananas The Long Game | Molly Knight Show Credits Host: David Greene Executive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom Grahsler Senior Producer: Michael Olcott Producer: Michaela Winberg Associate Producer: Bibiana Correa Talent Booker: Britt Kahn Engineer: Mike Villers Tile Art: Bea Walling Theme Song: Emma Munger Sports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.