Frankie Moscatiello is set to experience a long-awaited professional moment at Yankee Stadium, though not in the uniform many local fans might have expected. The Rocky Point native will take the field this weekend with the Savannah Bananas, the barnstorming team that has turned baseball into a fast-moving blend of sport and show.
The Bananas will play two games against the Party Animals in Banana Ball Championship League action, with Game 1 scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday and Game 2 at 3 p.m. Sunday. Ticket demand remains intense, with seats bought through the Bananas’ lottery system originally priced between $40 and $100 and secondary-market prices more than doubling that amount as of Tuesday afternoon.
A dream stage for Moscatiello
For Moscatiello, the Yankee Stadium stop carries a personal meaning that goes beyond the novelty of the Bananas’ yellow uniforms and dance-heavy style. He told Newsday that the experience has been “a blast,” and said the team’s fan interaction and close-knit atmosphere have made the journey especially rewarding.
He also said the setting fits his style of play, calling it “the coolest place to play” and comparing it to “pick-up wiffle ball.” That kind of loose, energetic environment has become part of the Bananas’ appeal, and Moscatiello said it has helped make a long baseball grind feel more enjoyable.
How the Bananas have built their following
The Savannah Bananas have become one of the most watched teams in exhibition baseball by leaning into showmanship rather than tradition. Their version of the game, Banana Ball, features choreographed dances, comedic bits, fan participation and quick-paced action that often spills beyond the field itself.
Jesse Cole, the team’s co-owner, has said plainly, “We’re not in the baseball business. We’re in the entertainment business.” That approach has helped fill stadiums across the country and turned players into social media attractions, with routines and celebrations drawing huge online audiences.
The team is also carrying strong momentum into the Bronx. The Bananas are 10-1 in the six-team league, which also includes the Indianapolis Clowns, Texas Tailgaters, Loco Beach Coconuts, Firefighters and Party Animals.
A franchise that keeps selling out
The Bananas’ reach has expanded quickly since the team started in 2016. Two weeks ago, the club celebrated its 500th straight sellout, a run that underscores how consistently fans have embraced the format.
Recent stops have included sold-out crowds at Caesar’s Superdome in New Orleans, Petco Park in San Diego and Anaheim Stadium. After the Yankee Stadium series, the Bananas are scheduled to travel to Truist Park in Atlanta for games on May 8-10.
Moscatiello’s path to this moment
Moscatiello’s presence on this stage reflects years of work before he ever joined the Bananas. He was a Newsday All-Long Island selection at Rocky Point in 2014, then continued his career at St. Thomas Aquinas, where he earned Pitcher of the Year honors in 2017 and 2018 and was named a Division II All-American in 2017.
Those credentials came after an eight-year baseball grind that eventually led him to a team built as much around personality and crowd connection as competitive results. He wears No. 99, and he marked his own birthday in memorable fashion by pitching on March 27 at Anaheim Stadium, where he said the crowd brought strong energy and the team responded with dances, flips and tricks.
What fans can expect at Yankee Stadium
The Bananas do far more than play innings and leave. Players sign autographs, take photos in the crowd and stay accessible throughout the experience, which Moscatiello said has become a major part of why the team stands out.
That fan-first approach is part of why the Bananas continue drawing attention in major venues, even as they depart from conventional baseball norms. With Yankee Stadium on the schedule this weekend, the team will once again mix competition with performance, and Moscatiello will get his chance to play on one of the sport’s most recognizable stages.