The Savannah Bananas may be the biggest name in Banana Ball, but their rivals, the Party Animals, have quickly become fan favorites in their own right. Known for their high-energy entrances, playful personalities, and rockstar edge, the Party Animals bring a different kind of chaos to the field, one that catcher Bronson Balholm believes resonates with fans on a deeper level.
Speaking with The Blast during Banana Ball’s weekend takeover at Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports, Balholm opened up about why so many people connect with the Party Animals, what makes the team different, and the lasting impact he hopes games have on young fans.
Bronson Balholm Says There Are ‘A Lot Of Party Animals Out There’
While the Savannah Bananas have built a massive following thanks to their family-friendly antics and over-the-top entertainment, Balholm says the Party Animals offer something slightly different, and fans seem to love it. “I think there’s a lot of Party Animals out there,” Balholm told The Blast.
While praising the Bananas and the brand they’ve built, the catcher joked that sometimes fans are looking for a little more edge. “The Bananas are awesome. Kudos to them, but sometimes, you know, it feels like they’re a little bit too… little kiddy sometimes,” he said with a laugh.
Instead, Balholm said the Party Animals tap into a different energy. “Sometimes people want to get a little edgy, a little alternative rock, have a little party in them, a little rock on,” he explained. “That’s the Party Animals edge.”
That personality-driven approach appears to be working. No matter where the team travels, Balholm says one thing becomes immediately clear. “Every city we go to, you find out, this city knows how to party,” he said.
And that connection with fans is part of what has helped Banana Ball evolve from a viral baseball experiment into a full-blown entertainment phenomenon, with supporters dressing up, traveling for games, and passionately rooting for their favorite teams and players.
Bronson Balholm Shares Advice For Future Banana Ball Stars
As Banana Ball continues to grow, Balholm also offered advice for younger players who may dream of joining one of the league’s teams one day. For him, success starts with humility and learning from the people around you. “Come in with open ears, open eyes,” he told The Blast. “Learn, listen, and kind of see the ones that do it right.”
Balholm recalled looking up to veteran players when he first entered Banana Ball, specifically naming teammates Tanner Thomas, Dalton Mauldin, and Noah Bridges as people who helped show him the ropes. “They showed me how to do it right,” he said.
But perhaps his biggest piece of advice has less to do with baseball skills and more to do with heart. “If you see somebody that you want to go up and say hi to, or there’s some action you think you will do to make somebody’s day, follow that,” Balholm shared.
At its core, he says, Banana Ball is about connection, joy, and creating moments people remember.
Disney World Weekend Felt Like A ‘Dream Come True’
The Party Animals’ stop at Disney World made the experience even more special for Balholm, who grew up visiting Disneyland in California. “I’m from California, Los Angeles, so I went to Disneyland all the time growing up,” he said.
Though he had visited Disney World a few times as a kid, returning as an adult, and with the Party Animals, felt surreal. “It was unbelievable,” Balholm said. “Absolute dream come true.”
The catcher especially loved spending time inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, revealing he even built his own lightsaber during the trip. “I got to go make a lightsaber. It was absolutely amazing,” he said. “The ‘Star Wars’ land is so cool.”
Balholm also visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom during the weekend, but admitted Hollywood Studios may have the edge thanks to his love of all things “Star Wars.” And in a fitting comparison, he pointed out that Disney and Banana Ball share something important in common.
“Banana Ball and Disney, they have a lot of the same aspirations,” he explained. “They enjoy bringing joy to the world, bringing happiness. So it’s a perfect crossover.”
Bronson Balholm’s Favorite Disney Snack Might Surprise Fans
Of course, no Disney trip is complete without snacks, and Balholm’s favorite park treat may surprise some fans. “This might be controversial,” he joked. “But the dill pickles.”
According to the catcher, the salty snack is perfect for Florida’s heat. “There’s something about it,” he said. “Especially on a hot day. The salt helps.”
When it comes to rides, Balholm also gave a shoutout to Disney California Adventure’s Incredicoaster and revealed he’s fiercely competitive on Toy Story Mania, joking that fans shouldn’t learn his high-score secrets.
For Bronson Balholm, It All Comes Back To Fun
At the end of the day, though, Balholm says his biggest hope is simple: he wants kids leaving a Party Animals game feeling inspired. “I want them to go home with, ‘That was the best two, three, four, five, six hours I’ve ever had in my life,’” he said.
He hopes young fans walk away having found a favorite player, experienced something they’ve never seen before, and maybe even discovered a love for baseball. “I hope if they’re out playing baseball, it inspires them to go try baseball,” Balholm shared. “Just have fun with it.”
Because for the Party Animals catcher, beneath the dancing, wild energy, and over-the-top fun, Banana Ball has always been about one thing. “At the end of the day,” he said, “it’s just about fun.”