Phillies Legend Ryan Howard Announces Career News on Thursday

Ryan Howard, a World Series champion, will serve as Primetime coach alongside Errick Fox, who has been with the Bananas since 2018. 

The Clowns, once a hallmark of the Negro Leagues and legendary for combining athleticism and entertainment, are being reimagined under the Banana Ball ethos. 

Owner Jesse Cole framed the move as continuation of a shared mission: “make baseball fun, put the fans first, and entertain always.” 

A New Chapter, Rooted in History

Reviving the Indianapolis Clowns is more than a novelty—it’s a bridge between eras.

The Clowns once featured baseball greats like Hank Aaron, Satchel Paige, Toni Stone, Mamie “Peanut” Johnson, and Coach Goose Tatum. 

Their blend of sport and spectacle foreshadowed what Banana Ball aims to perfect: entertainment built into the fabric of the game. 

Cole’s partnership with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum underscores a commitment to honoring that legacy—not just theatrically, but educationally. 

Clowns fans and Banana Ball loyalists alike can expect tribute nights, storytelling elements, and historical integration woven into each Clowns appearance.

Howard’s arrival signals that Banana Ball is courting legitimacy alongside spectacle.

His involvement is both symbolic and strategic: bringing name recognition, camaraderie with generational fans, and coaching gravitas.

As much as tonight’s announcements were about expansion, they were about transformation.

Banana Ball is evolving from touring exhibition to a structured championship league—one designed to blend competition, personality, and theatricality under a unified national schedule.