Banana Ball, the fast-growing, entertainment-first twist on baseball, is shaking up how fans experience America’s pastime. Now, it’s adding a new player with some real collegiate chops.
Former Miami Marlins prospect Tanner Allen, once SEC Player of the Year and a Mississippi State star, just signed with the Loco Beach Coconuts. He’s bringing serious competitive fire to a league that’s all about spectacle, fun, and rules that toss tradition out the window.
After a winding minor league run, Allen heads into a chapter that mixes top-tier baseball skills with wild fan engagement. It’s honestly a pretty intriguing move.
What is Banana Ball?
People call Banana Ball the “Harlem Globetrotters of baseball,” and, honestly, it fits. The league ditches the usual constraints with wild rules that speed up play, get the crowd involved, and keep things buzzing from the first pitch to the last out.
Every game feels like part competition, part comedy show. You get outlandish plays, goofy stunts, and players who aren’t afraid to show some personality.
A Nationwide Sporting Phenomenon
The Banana Ball Championship League takes its show on the road, crisscrossing the U.S. Fans everywhere get a close-up look at this reimagined baseball circus.
Games often feature former MLB names like Johnny Damon, Jake Peavy, and Jackie Bradley Jr. Their pro experience adds a cool factor to the league’s lively style. That mix—big names and over-the-top presentation—has helped Banana Ball’s popularity snowball over the past five seasons.
Tanner Allen’s Path to the Coconuts
Tanner Allen started his baseball journey by dominating in college. From 2018 to 2021 at Mississippi State, he racked up a pretty impressive list of honors.
- SEC Player of the Year honors
- Multiple All-American selections
- A standout senior campaign culminating in a national title run
The Miami Marlins noticed his success and took him in the fourth round of the 2021 MLB Draft. His arrival in pro baseball came with a lot of hope—but making the leap from college to the minors is no joke.
Challenges and Growth in the Minor Leagues
Allen’s rookie year in Single-A was rough. He hit just .183 with a .575 OPS across levels in 2022.
Things turned around in 2023, though. At Double-A, he put up his best numbers yet: a .271 average, nine homers, and 41 RBIs. It really looked like he was ready for the next step.
But 2024 didn’t go his way. Over 50 games, Allen’s average dropped to .225 with only two home runs. The Marlins system just didn’t have a clear spot for him anymore.
At 26, his run in affiliated baseball ended. Still, his love for the game and the drive to compete never faded.
A New Chapter in Banana Ball
Allen got drafted by the Loco Beach Coconuts with the first pick of the second round in the Banana Ball Championship League’s player draft. This team’s all about big energy and wild style—it seems like just the right fit for Allen’s next act.
Why Allen Fits the Banana Ball Mold
Banana Ball wants players who bring both skill and personality. Allen’s college background checks both boxes.
He’s got the offense, reliable defense, and experience from SEC and championship play. He knows how to handle pressure and the spotlight. Entertaining while competing? That’ll be his bread and butter with the Coconuts.
The Bigger Picture
Tanner Allen’s move from traditional minor league baseball to Banana Ball says a lot about where sports culture might be heading. Entertainment-driven leagues now give athletes a stage that’s not just about stats.
Fans get to see talented players in a totally different environment. For Allen, it’s a shot at falling back in love with the game and showing off the personality that made him a college favorite.
As Banana Ball pops up in more places, players like Allen might help connect old-school baseball fans with the newer, more laid-back crowd. His debut with the Coconuts? That’s worth paying attention to—not just for the numbers, but for the fun, the quirks, and those moments that make Banana Ball actually feel alive.
Here is the source article for this story: Former Marlins Prospect Joins New Banana Ball Team for 2026 Season
Experience Baseball History in Person
Want to walk the same grounds where baseball legends made history? Find accommodations near iconic ballparks across America and create your own baseball pilgrimage.
Check availability at hotels near: Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Dodger Stadium
Plan your ballpark visit: Get MLB Ballpark Tickets and find accommodations nearby.
- Biographies
- Stadium Guides
- Current Baseball Players
- Current Players by Team
- Players that Retired in the 2020s
- Players that Retired in the 2010s
- Players that Retired in the 2000s
- Players that Retired in the 1990s
- Players that Retired in the 1980s
- Players that Retired in the 1970s
- Players that Retired in the 1960s
- Players that Retired in the 1950s
- Players that Retired in the 1940s
- Players that Retired in the 1930s