The Party Animals came to Louisville: Our Experience and Tips for your Savannah Banana Baseball Game.

Lucky me! Every year since I learned about the Savannah Bananas, I have entered the lottery to try to score tickets. Last year, they sent us an email the night before a game, and Mason was able to watch from the grass area. This year we were chosen to get seats!

I've heard from others that these entertaining baseball games produce some of their family's favorite memories, so I could not wait! I chose to keep the game as a surprise and told Mason once we arrived. Although the Savannah Bananas weren't coming to Louisville, we knew the Party Animals wouldn't disappoint.

In this post, I’ll share our experience and some tips for you if you are thinking about going to a game. From what to do and what to avoid to what you can expect, I’ve got all the details!

When to Arrive

One of the biggest questions I had was when to get there. It seems like that was everyone's biggest question! The answer, though, is totally up to you ... obviously.

If your kids like singing and dancing, they want all the autographs, you plan to get some merch, and they wouldn't mind waiting for a couple of hours, then get there early! The earlier = the better parking spot! However, if getting there hours before the game would just make for cranky, hangry kids and frustrated parents, then it may be best just to pay $40 to park.

You can check out the Savannah Bananas info to find what time your baseball game will be, when the gates open, and when the pre-party starts.

What is the Pre-Party

The pre-party can be hours long or just 30 minutes, depending on when you decide to start partying. We got there 4 hours before the game was even scheduled to start. A little excessive, I know. However, I thought if there wasn't much to do, we could most definitely find an ice-cream shop or something else to keep us entertained as we were in the middle of Louisville.

Of course, we didn't need to find any other entertainment, though, because the Party Animals had that covered. As soon as we walked up, we were met with players ready for pictures and autographs. We checked out the merch booths, and then we headed inside. I'm sure every stadium is different, but for our Louisville game, the pre-party was indoors at the Louisville Slugger Stadium.

Inside were several more merch booths, all of the other players giving autographs, and a drink station, including mostly adult beverages. I was pleasantly surprised by how adult-friendly the whole experience was.

We spent most of the pre-party getting autographs and pictures, but then the show began! About an hour before the gates opened, the players went to warm up, and the cast put on a show. There was dancing, singing, skits, and more. Not going to lie, this was not Mason's favorite part, and it did get pretty hot as more people crowded in, but once the gates opened, it made it all worth it!

Snack Attack!

No baseball outing is complete without delicious snacks! Once the gates opened, we found our seats and then found the snacks. I unknowingly purchased "club" seats. This may be specific to the Louisville Slugger Field, but I am sure other stadiums have similar seating. Our seats were on the upper level, and they were convenient as we could walk indoors on that upper level and get a break from the heat if we needed to. We also had access to closer bathrooms and a closer concession stand. However, the "fun stuff" like ice cream and specialty food was on the lower level. We started with a hot dog and a burger, of course, but later I ventured down to get some treats.

In hindsight, I think the kids would have rather been in the lower section and more "in the action". The players were still great by coming up to the upper section to greet the fans, but I think the best seats would be behind either one of the dugouts. The cast often stands on the dugouts to entertain. If your goal is to catch a foul ball, though, you might want to be in an upper level or closer to first or third base.

Pro Tip: Check your stadium rules before the game to see if they are cashless or recommend bringing some extra cash.

Game Time!

Finally, it was time to settle in and watch the game. The gates open about an hour before the game actually starts. That gives you plenty of time to get settled in your seat with your snack of choice. Leading up to the game, they continue to entertain the audience with different races, stunts, and a t-shirt cannon.

I had one more surprise for Mason, as I didn't tell him his cousins were joining us. He was already thrilled to be experiencing the Party Animals, but everything is better with some friends. It filled my momma heart as I watched his eyes light up when the other boys joined us.

The entertainment never slowed down throughout the whole game. Music was constant (in a good way), and it was honestly more geared to the adults. Every player had a special skill or characteristic that made their time at base compelling to watch. Just don't ask me about the banana ball rules because those were confusing, but definitely kept you on your toes.

Our most memorable moment would be when Quinn caught a foul ball! It actually went on the roof but rolled down and right into his glove. He's 13, so of course he tried to play it cool, but he was on cloud 9!

The After Party

Of course, the party doesn't end when the game does! Well, it could, but you would need to keep the kids' eyes forward and run right out of that door. If you still have the energy, though, you are more than welcome to keep partying. The after-party is easy to find. It's the same place the pre-party was, and honestly, it's the same thing. Maybe more music and fewer skits, but definitely more people! This time it's EVERYONE at the party, not just those who got there early. All the players are there for autographs, but be ready to wait in long lines to get them. This is the only time I was extra cautious about losing a child in the sea of people, so we kept super close. The kids got the autographs that were most important to them, and then they were even ready to get out of there.

Final Thoughts

The whole experience really lives up to the hype and might even surpass it! It will be a memory we hold onto forever. I will continue to join that lottery every single year, and I can't wait to see how big the Savannah Bananas become.

My final tips for an amazing baseball game with your kids:

• Plan Ahead: Keep an eye on your email and actually read the ones they send. They give great tips and necessary info. Also, check out their website for FAQs and specifics about your game.

• Dress Comfortably: Please wear comfy shoes! Especially if you are partying before or after the game. Also, check the weather. The game will go on no matter what. If it's in the middle of summer, don't forget sunscreen!

• Capture the Moments: Of course, you are going to take pictures, but everything moves so quickly that sometimes you just don't have time. Get a few good ones to capture the day, but then just create memories by being present.

  
  

• Play along: Let go, be silly, act like the kids! They make a point to get the adults involved, too, with the song choices geared to our generation and welcoming alcohol. Feel free to sing and dance along. The kids love it!

  
  

• What to bring: Bring as little as possible. Check your stadium rules to see specific guidelines. My necessities were a portable charger for my phone, my ID, and money. I ended up purchasing a Sharpie there, but you could also bring your own.

  
  

Whether it’s your first Savannah Banana experience or a continued family tradition, the excitement is always something special. I hope sharing our experience and some tips helps make your visit to a Savannah Bananas game as enjoyable as ours was!

You can see all our excitement on the weekly vlog on YouTube