Banana Ball Brings Party Animals, Loco Beach Coconuts to Jersey Shore in June
These games are part of the 2026 Banana Ball World Tour. The Jersey Shore BlueClaws’ home field will host the matches as the expansion team makes its debut this season.
The Banana Ball World Tour is coming to ShoreTown Ballpark in 2026, with games set for Thursday, June 11th, Friday, June 12th, and Saturday, June 13th.
Image Courtesy Jersey Shore BlueclawsThe Loco Beach Coconuts will play three games against the Party Animals at ShoreTown Ballpark in Lakewood from June 11 through June 13. Ticket lottery winners started getting emails on Tuesday, March 10. Purchasing windows open next week.
These games are part of the 2026 Banana Ball World Tour. The Jersey Shore BlueClaws' home field will host the matches as the expansion team makes its debut this season.
Banana Ball started with the Savannah Bananas in 2015. Since then, it has grown to include six teams. The league added the Party Animals, Texas Tailgaters, and Firefighters in recent years before announcing two new teams on Oct. 9.
The sport features 11 rules that speed up play and add entertainment. If a fan catches a foul ball, it counts as an out. The format strips away pauses typical of traditional baseball, creating a faster-paced experience that keeps fans on their feet.
"We plan to bring Loco Beach to fans all over the country," said Jesse Cole, the creator of Banana Ball, in a statement, according to app.com. "The beach theme will extend from the parking lot to the dugout, and everywhere in between."
Mark Crocco serves as the head coach for the Coconuts. Former MLB star Shane Victorino will work as primetime coach. This is a new role for the team.
The Indianapolis Clowns are the second expansion team. They take their name from a Negro League team.
"Banana Ball is all about energy, entertainment, flipping the script — and you know what? That's exactly what the Negro Leagues brought to the game from day one. Flash. Innovation. Community and an unconditional love for the game. They were rockstars before the world called ballplayers that," said head coach Errick Fox in a statement.
The 2026 tour will visit 75 stadiums across 45 states. The schedule includes 14 Major League Baseball stadiums, including Yankee Stadium. It also includes 10 football stadiums.
The Banana Ball Championship League kicked off with the Banana Ball Open from Feb. 26 to April 12. A regular season of 50 games runs through September. The first-ever championship Banana Bowl will take place on Oct. 10.
