Banana Ball rules history

1. Win the inning, get the point. Each inning is worth one point, earned by the team that scores more runs in it.
   • In the final inning every run counts as a point.
2. Two hour time limit. No new inning may begin once two hours have passed.
   • Every run counts in the last inning of the game.
3. No stepping out. A hitter who steps out of the batter's box is charged a strike.
4. No bunting. Bunting is banned; a hitter who bunts is ejected.
5. Batters can steal first. The hitter may try to steal first base on any pitch of the at-bat, on a passed ball or wild pitch.
6. No walks: ball four is a sprint. Ball four starts a sprint: the batter runs while every defensive player on the field has to touch the ball before it is live again.
   • The batter can take as many bases as they like before the ball is live.
   • The ball does not need to go through the pitcher or catcher.
7. No mound visits. No one (coach, catcher or any other player) may visit the mound; encourage the pitcher from a distance instead.
8. A fan catching a foul ball is an out. If a fan catches a foul ball, the batter is out, but only on a clean catch (no bobbling or juggling).
9. Showdown tiebreaker. A game tied when the two hours are up goes to a showdown tiebreaker; the hitter must come around to score for a point, and an out earns nothing (a "Showdown Shutdown").
   • Round 1: pitcher, catcher and one fielder against one hitter.
   • Round 2: pitcher and catcher against one hitter.
   • Round 3 and later: pitcher, catcher and one fielder against one hitter with the bases loaded, every run counting as a point; rounds continue this way until there is a winner.
   • A home run over the outfield wall at any point ends the game as a walk-off.
10. Team challenge. Each team gets one challenge, made by the coach throwing or shooting a challenge prop onto the field before the next pitch.
    • The umpiring crew reviews the play and the Umpire Field Chief makes the call.
    • A successful challenge is kept for later; a failed or inconclusive one is lost for the game.
    • Challengeable calls: fair or foul, force and tag plays, infield or outfield catches, and missed bases.
11. Fan challenge. The fans also get one challenge per game, made through a fan representative who fires confetti and raises a "Fan Challenge" sign.
12. Golden batter. Once per game a team may send any hitter in its lineup to bat in any spot, so its best hitter can bat in a key moment.
    • The player whose turn was skipped stays in the game.
    • The golden batter may even bat twice in a row in the same inning.
13. Trick play equalizer point. Both teams compete for trick plays; if the visitors have more trick plays than the home team going into the final inning, they get one extra point.
    • A trick play out is a routine play made in an unusual way that still records an out, in the field or by strikeout, by any player.
14. Trick pitch delivery. Trick pitches must be thrown from the rubber or as close to it as possible without gaining ground toward the plate; otherwise the umpire calls an automatic ball.
15. Designated hitter and extra hitter. Lineups have ten spots, including both a designated hitter and an extra hitter.
    • If the designated hitter moves into the field, they keep their batting spot but the pitcher bats in place of the replaced fielder.
    • The extra hitter can move in and out of the field at any time, swapping spots with a fielder.
16. Designated runner. Each team may name a designated runner before the game, who can come in to run once per trip through the batting order.
17. Designated fielder. Each team may name a designated fielder before the game, who can enter in any inning at any position without penalty.
    • If the designated fielder bats or replaces a starter, the designated fielder role ends for the game.
18. Showdown round point limits. In the showdown a team can score at most one point in rounds 1 and 2 and at most four points in round 3 and beyond.
19. Ball four in the showdown. Ball four in the showdown puts a runner on base (second base in rounds 1 and 2; second and third with two runs scoring in rounds 3 and up), and the count resets.
    • The same batter may keep batting, or the manager may send up someone else and choose who runs.
    • Showdown runners cannot take leads or advance on wild pitches or passed balls.
    • Further ball-four sprints push the runners along and can score the round's maximum points.

Source: bananaball.com rules page, observed Nov 12, 2026.

1. Win the inning, get the point. Each inning is worth one point, earned by the team that scores more runs in it.
   • In the final inning every run counts as a point.
2. Two hour time limit. No new inning may begin once two hours have passed.
   • Every run counts in the last inning of the game.
3. No stepping out. A hitter who steps out of the batter's box is charged a strike.
4. No bunting. Bunting is banned; a hitter who bunts is ejected.
5. Batters can steal first. The hitter may try to steal first base on any pitch of the at-bat, on a passed ball or wild pitch.
6. No walks: ball four is a sprint. Ball four starts a sprint: the batter runs while every defensive player on the field has to touch the ball before it is live again.
   • The batter can take as many bases as they like before the ball is live.
   • The ball does not need to go through the pitcher or catcher.
7. No mound visits. No one (coach, catcher or any other player) may visit the mound; encourage the pitcher from a distance instead.
8. A fan catching a foul ball is an out. If a fan catches a foul ball, the batter is out.
9. Showdown tiebreaker. A game tied when the two hours are up goes to a showdown tiebreaker; the hitter must come around to score for a point, and an out earns nothing (a "Showdown Shutdown").
   • Round 1: pitcher, catcher and one fielder against one hitter.
   • Round 2: pitcher and catcher against one hitter.
   • Round 3 and later: pitcher, catcher and one fielder against one hitter with the bases loaded, every run counting as a point; rounds continue this way until there is a winner.
   • A home run over the outfield wall at any point ends the game as a walk-off.
10. Team challenge. Each team gets one challenge, made by the coach throwing or shooting a challenge prop onto the field before the next pitch.
    • The play is reviewed on the broadcast replay and the Umpire Field Chief makes the call.
    • A successful challenge is kept for later; a failed or inconclusive one is lost for the game.
    • Challengeable calls: fair or foul, force and tag plays, and infield or outfield catches.
11. Fan challenge. The fans also get one challenge per game: before the game they pick a fan representative, who fires confetti and raises a "Fan Challenge" sign to use it.
12. Golden batter. Once per game a team may send any hitter in its lineup to bat in any spot, so its best hitter can bat in a key moment.
    • The player whose turn was skipped stays in the game and can later be replaced on the bases, including by an eligible designated pinch runner.
    • The golden batter may even bat twice in a row in the same inning.

Source: bananaball.com rules page (Wayback Machine), observed Jul 8, 2025.

1. Win the inning, get the point. Each inning is worth one point, earned by the team that scores more runs in it.
   • In the final inning every run counts as a point.
2. Two hour time limit. No new inning may begin once two hours have passed.
   • Every run counts in the last inning of the game.
3. No stepping out. A hitter who steps out of the batter's box is charged a strike.
4. No bunting. Bunting is banned; a hitter who bunts is ejected.
5. Batters can steal first. The hitter may try to steal first base on any pitch of the at-bat, whether on a passed ball, a wild pitch or simply whenever they choose.
6. No walks: ball four is a sprint. Ball four starts a sprint: the batter runs while every defensive player on the field has to touch the ball before it is live again.
   • The batter can take as many bases as they like before the ball is live.
   • The ball does not need to go through the pitcher or catcher.
7. No mound visits. No one (coach, catcher or any other player) may visit the mound; encourage the pitcher from a distance instead.
8. A fan catching a foul ball is an out. If a fan catches a foul ball, the batter is out.
9. Showdown tiebreaker. A game tied when the two hours are up goes to a showdown tiebreaker; the hitter must come around to score for a point, and an out earns nothing (a "Showdown Shutdown").
   • Round 1: pitcher, catcher and one fielder against one hitter.
   • Round 2: pitcher and catcher against one hitter.
   • Round 3 and later: pitcher, catcher and one fielder against one hitter with the bases loaded, every run counting as a point; rounds continue this way until there is a winner.
   • A home run over the outfield wall at any point ends the game as a walk-off.
10. Team challenge. Each team gets one challenge, made by the coach throwing or shooting a challenge prop onto the field before the next pitch.
    • The play is reviewed on the broadcast replay and the Umpire Field Chief makes the call.
    • A successful challenge is kept for later; a failed or inconclusive one is lost for the game.
    • Challengeable calls: fair or foul, force and tag plays, and infield or outfield catches.
11. Fan challenge. The fans also get one challenge per game: before the game they pick a fan representative, who fires confetti and raises a "Fan Challenge" sign to use it.
12. Golden batter. Once per game a team may send any hitter in its lineup to bat in any spot, so its best hitter can bat in a key moment.
    • The player whose turn was skipped stays in the game and can later be replaced on the bases, including by an eligible designated pinch runner.
    • The golden batter may even bat twice in a row in the same inning.

Source: bananaball.com rules page (Wayback Machine), observed May 2, 2024.

1. Win the inning, get the point. Each inning is worth one point, earned by the team that scores more runs in it.
   • In the final inning every run counts as a point.
2. Two hour time limit. No new inning may begin after 1 hour and 50 minutes.
   • Every run counts in the last inning of the game.
3. No stepping out. A hitter who steps out of the batter's box is charged a strike.
4. No bunting. Bunting is banned; a hitter who bunts is ejected.
5. Batters can steal first. The hitter may try to steal first base on any pitch of the at-bat, whether on a passed ball, a wild pitch or simply whenever they choose.
6. No walks: ball four is a sprint. Ball four starts a sprint: the batter runs while every defensive player on the field has to touch the ball before it is live again.
   • The batter can take as many bases as they like before the ball is live.
   • The ball does not need to go through the pitcher or catcher.
7. No mound visits. No one (coach, catcher or any other player) may visit the mound; encourage the pitcher from a distance instead.
8. A fan catching a foul ball is an out. If a fan catches a foul ball, the batter is out.
9. Showdown tiebreaker. A game tied at the end of the time limit goes to a showdown tiebreaker; the hitter must come around to score for a point, and an out earns nothing (a "Showdown Shutdown").
   • Round 1: pitcher, catcher and one fielder against one hitter.
   • Round 2: pitcher and catcher against one hitter.
   • Round 3 (final showdown): pitcher, catcher and one fielder against one hitter with the bases loaded, every run counting as a point.
   • If still undecided after three showdowns, play continues with the bases loaded and one fielder until a team wins (added in the April 2023 graphic).
   • A home run over the outfield wall at any point ends the game as a walk-off.

Source: Rules graphic (April 2023 upload) on thesavannahbananas.com/bananaball/ (Wayback Machine), observed Aug 21, 2023.

1. Win the inning, get the point. The team that scores more runs in an inning gets that inning's point; the first team to five points wins.
2. Two hour time limit. A game still tied when two hours are up goes to a showdown to decide the winner.
3. No stepping out. A hitter who steps out of the batter's box is charged a strike.
4. No bunting. Bunting is banned; a batter who bunts is thrown out of the game.
5. Batters can steal first. On a passed ball or wild pitch during any pitch of the at-bat, the batter may run for first.
6. No walks: ball four is a sprint. Ball four starts a sprint: the batter runs while the catcher throws the ball around to every defensive player before it is live again.
   • The batter can take as many bases as they can reach.
   • The ball does not need to go through the pitcher or catcher.
7. No mound visits. No one (coach, catcher or any other player) may visit the mound; encourage the pitcher from a distance instead.
8. A fan catching a foul ball is an out. If a fan catches a foul ball, the batter is out.
9. Showdown tiebreaker. Each team picks one pitcher and one hitter; the defence fields only a pitcher, catcher and one fielder, and the hitter must score on a ball in play to earn a point.
   • The pitcher and fielder can chase the ball and throw home for a play at the plate.
   • A strikeout or an out before scoring earns no point.
   • A walk sends the batter to second and the batting team brings up another hitter.
   • First team to five points wins.

Source: Rules graphic (October 2021 upload) on thesavannahbananas.com/bananaball/ (Wayback Machine), observed Jun 9, 2022.

1. Win the inning, get the point. The team that scores more runs in an inning gets that inning's point; the first team to five points wins.
   • An inning ends once the home team takes the lead or makes three outs.
2. Two hour time limit. No inning may start after the two-hour mark; if neither team has five points by then, the game goes to a showdown tiebreaker.
3. No stepping out. Batters may not leave the box once an at-bat begins; stepping out is a strike.
4. No bunting. Bunting is not allowed.
5. Batters can steal first. On a passed ball or wild pitch during any pitch of the at-bat, the batter may run for first.
6. No walks: ball four is a sprint. Ball four starts a sprint: the batter runs while the catcher throws the ball around to every defensive player before it is live again.
   • The batter can take as many bases as they can reach.
   • The ball does not need to go through the pitcher or catcher.
7. Showdown tiebreaker. Each team picks one pitcher and one hitter; the defence fields only a pitcher, catcher and one fielder, and the hitter must score on a ball in play to earn a point.
   • The pitcher and fielder can chase the ball and throw home for a play at the plate.
   • A strikeout or an out before scoring earns no point.
   • A walk sends the batter to second and the batting team brings up another hitter.
   • First team to five points wins; if level, the first team to hold the other scoreless wins.
8. No mound visits. No one (coach, catcher or any other player) may visit the mound; encourage the pitcher from a distance instead.
9. A fan catching a foul ball is an out. If a fan catches a foul ball, the batter is out.

Source: thesavannahbananas.com Banana Ball rules page (Wayback Machine), observed Jul 10, 2021.

1. Win the inning, get the point. The team that scores more runs in an inning gets that inning's point; the first team to five points wins.
   • An inning ends once the home team takes the lead or makes three outs.
2. Two hour time limit. No inning may start after the two-hour mark; if neither team has five points by then, the game goes to a showdown tiebreaker.
3. No stepping out. Batters may not leave the box once an at-bat begins; stepping out is a strike.
4. No bunting. Bunting is not allowed.
5. Batters can steal first. On a passed ball or wild pitch during any pitch of the at-bat, the batter may run for first.
6. No walks: ball four is a sprint. Ball four starts a sprint: the batter runs while the catcher throws the ball around to every defensive player before it is live again.
   • The batter can take as many bases as they can reach.
   • The ball does not need to go through the pitcher or catcher.
7. Showdown tiebreaker. Each team picks one pitcher and one hitter for a one-on-one showdown; the defence fields only a pitcher and catcher, and the hitter must score on a ball in play to earn a point.
   • The pitcher can chase the ball and throw home for a play at the plate.
   • A strikeout or an out before scoring earns no point.
   • A walk sends the batter to second and the batting team brings up another hitter.
   • First team to five points wins; if level, the first team to hold the other scoreless wins.
8. No mound visits. No one (coach, catcher or any other player) may visit the mound; encourage the pitcher from a distance instead.
9. A fan catching a foul ball is an out. If a fan catches a foul ball, the batter is out.

Source: thesavannahbananas.com Banana Ball rules page (Wayback Machine), observed Sep 14, 2020.