Jared Orton: The Architect of Banana Ball's Fan-First Success
Jared Orton has served as president of the Savannah Bananas since the team's inception. He credits the organization's growth to a relentless focus on fan experience and making baseball fun. Under his leadership, the team has expanded from a small summer league to selling out major stadiums like Wrigley Field.
Orton's path to Savannah ran through the Coastal Plain League, where he gained early experience with the Gastonia Grizzlies and Burlington Royals while studying sport management at Belmont Abbey College. That background, combined with his work at Fans First Entertainment, shaped the customer-centric approach he later brought to the Bananas' launch alongside Jesse Cole in 2015.
The inaugural 2016 season drew more than 91,000 fans and set a league attendance record, with 17 of 24 home games selling out. That momentum never faded; the organization now fields six touring teams, draws hundreds of thousands of annual ticket-lottery entries, and has expanded from Grayson Stadium to venues like Wrigley Field.
The Bananas' model could influence how minor-league and independent baseball organizations approach fan engagement, potentially shifting industry norms away from traditional game-day formats. Families and younger audiences may benefit most, as the emphasis on entertainment and accessibility could make baseball more appealing to demographics that have drifted from the sport. However, the lottery-based ticketing system may also create barriers for casual fans, and the touring model's long-term sustainability remains an open question.