Are Savannah Bananas games rigged? – I sure hope so!

Under ordinary circumstances, the idea of a sporting event not being on the up and up, would have me screaming from the top of my lungs about the injustice of it all. But a Savannah Bananas baseball game is anything but ordinary.If you have read my last two columns about the experience I had attending one of these games, you are aware of the fact that it really doesn't matter who wins the contest. Baseball is a small part of the "show" and it is the antics on the diamond that matters – not the outcome.So what do I mean by the game being rigged? Well, the night I was there the Bananas took an early 3-1 lead. By lead I mean they had scored more runs than their opponents – the Party Animals – in three innings to one for the Animals. But alas, the Animals took two innings of their own during the 6-8 frames. When no team scored in the last inning (it was announced that the ninth would be the final inning as the two hour time limit had nearly been reached) it appeared the game would end in a tie.That was not the case however. Different sports have varied terms for breaking a tie, such as baseball with extra innings, basketball with overtime and football with sudden death. The rules vary by sport, but nothing compares with what the Savanna Bananas do.They do not play extra innings, instead they have what are called showdowns. The rigging part comes into play if the game can get to the showdown phase. It happened the night I was there and it happened the night before. Do you suppose the game is fixed so that a showdown will happen each game? When I tell you how showdown works, you will understand my column title.Trust me when I say you really want to see a showdown if you are at the ballpark.The rules for the first showdown go like this. Each team will get one batter. He will hit the ball and try to score. Either he does or does not cross the plate and then the home team gets the same opportunity.Perhaps I should mention that other than the pitcher and catcher, the defensive team gets one defensive player. He will be stationed on the infield grass in front of second base. When the batter hits the ball he takes off sprinting around the bases. The fielder does likewise as he chases the ball wherever it's hit. He needs to get the ball to the pitcher who can then relay to the catcher for a possible play at the plate. Safe or out, the half inning is complete.On this night, the Party Animal hitter laces one to right center field. The chase is on and the runner scores. Now it's the Bananas turn. Their hitter lines one over the shortstop position and also beats the relay to the plate. Time for showdown number two. In the second go round the fielder is removed. When the ball is hit, the pitcher does the chasing. In the top half of the inning, the Party Animal hitter lifts a routine fly ball to medium depth center field. The pitcher races out, picks up the ball and throws a rainbow to the plate. It will be close, but the runner avoids a sweep tag and the Animals have a run.In the bottom of the inning, the Bananas score and it's on to the third showdown. This time the fielder is brought back. The difference now is that the bases are loaded with runners. I don't remember exactly where the ball was hit, but the fielder got to it in time to catch the runner from first trying to score. Two runs for the Party Animals and now it's up to the Bananas to retaliate.The batter hits the ball to the outfield and the runners take off. When the runner from first crosses the plate the game is over. The Savannah Bananas score another thrilling win and the crowd feels fulfilled. I'm guessing the feeling would have been the same had the Bananas lost. Watching all the action for two hours was a treat for fans of all ages.As we left the ballpark, some thoughts were exchanged between members of my family. Personally I had the following idea. I enjoyed the evening, but would I go see another game? Probably not… unless I went with someone who had never been to a Bananas game before. I would likely spend much of my time watching the reactions of the newcomer as opposed to watching the action on the diamond.This would be especially true if the novice was a child. Looking around the stands there were several kids in attendance. They seemed completely enthralled. It reminded me of my trips to see the Harlem Globetrotters in my youth. The smiles on the faces of the adults suggested that they were channeling their inner childhood. Everyone seemed quite pleased.If you get a chance to see the Savannah Bananas, by all means do so. But be warned. Keep your eyes open at all times and your head on a swivel. There will be something crazy going on all the time and you will spend the evening with a smile glued to your face!