MarketScale Original Series: Welcome to the Show

Nothing says summer in America like our National Pastime.

Terence Mann (played by James Earl Jones) may have said it best in the classic baseball movie Field of Dreams:

“The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It’s been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game, is a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again.” 

And while baseball is a part of our past, the game faces challenges. In an accelerating world, a slowing pace of game is losing the attention of younger and older fans alike. If baseball is to retain its crown as the national pastime, it’s going to need new energy and increased engagement with its fans.

Enter the Savannah Bananas.

Owner Jesse Cole is making people fall in love with the game of baseball again one inning at a time with promotions not found anywhere else in the sport, delivering one sell-out after another. Summer nights at the Bananas’ Grayson Stadium are nothing short of magical, with the perfect fusion of good college baseball, and unmatched ‘fans first’ experiences.

But not without the challenges of running the organization, staying creative and for Jesse, delegating responsibility to his new Director of Fun, Tyler Gray.

MarketScale’s original series “Welcome to the Show” goes behind the scenes with the Bananas as they prepare for the 2018 home opener.

Three days before another summer of amateur baseball, the Savannah Bananas roster is just arriving at Grayson Stadium for the first time. Unlike most summer ball teams, the Bananas have different priorities than just shagging fly ball, taking batting practice and impressing scouts on day one. In this organization, it’s all about the show.

In just over 24 hours, the team will welcome 4,000 fans through the turnstiles just to watch practice, or “Fan Fest” as it’s called. First impressions are everything for the Bananas, and Fan Fest is the first impression of the summer for a team that cannot afford to play in front of sparse crowds.

In Tyler Gray’s debut, the team expects its entertainment to be bigger and bolder than ever before. But with a newcomer leading the way, this is easier said than done. Gray is taking the master of ceremonies reigns from Cole who, with a young family, is choosing to step back and delegate minute-by-minute operations to his staff.

Director of First Impressions Keke Coles begins a new season with dozens of new interns and volunteers as well. Few have ever experienced the pressure of putting on an entertaining experience that includes an all-you-can-eat buffet, zany promotions and plenty of chances to interact with the team.

Leading the players is new manager Tyler Gillum, who must not only coach the team to another winning season, but must also adapt to an environment where his roster is required to participate in off-field entertainment during games.

Tune in to Episode One of “Welcome to the Show”,  to find out of the new staff can deliver the fan experience Savannah has come to expect with the Bananas, launch the first event of the season, and continue to reinvent the game of baseball.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

wireless LAN radio
Icom’s Wireless LAN Radio System: Redefining Communication in the Commercial Boating Industry
July 8, 2025

Icom’s Senior Sales Manager, Ray Novack, joins Rick Waedekin, Icom’s West Coast Rep and Coast Marine Marketing President, for a conversation at the Pacific Marine Expo. They discuss Icom’s new wireless LAN radio system designed to improve marine communication through secure, internet-based connectivity. These radios are compact, waterproof, and built to handle rugged conditions. Unlike…

Read More
wireless LAN radios
Icom’s Wireless LAN Radios Are a Game-Changer for Remote Lodging Operations
July 8, 2025

In a short conversation at Pacific Marine Expo, Rick Waedekin, West Coast Sales Rep for Icom, speaks with Sean Cleary, owner of Radar Alaska, about Icom’s new wireless LAN radios. Sean highlights how these radios could benefit remote lodges in Alaska by improving communication about guest locations, employee coordination, and supply tracking. He explains…

Read More
IC-M25 EVO
Unboxing the Slim and Rugged IC-M25 EVO VHF Radio from Icom
July 8, 2025

Makayla Servidad, Sales Admin at Icom, unboxes the blue version of the IC-M25 EVO—an upgraded handheld marine VHF radio that combines modern design with everyday functionality. The unit features USB-C charging, a slim and lightweight frame, and a textured grip for comfortable handling. Included in the box are a flexible antenna, a USB-C cable,…

Read More
security industry
Balancing Innovation and Mission: How the Security Industry Navigates Risk and Growth
July 8, 2025

The security industry is at an inflection point. Rapid technological advancements—like AI, cloud platforms, and big data—are revolutionizing how security solutions are deployed and consumed. At the same time, the profile of the security buyer is changing, with IT, HR, and compliance leaders playing a much bigger role in decision-making. As these shifts accelerate, businesses…

Read More