Charlotte's Own Goes Bananas at Bank of America Stadium
Let me tell you a story that feels like a home run for Charlotte – and not just any run, but a wild, high-energy, banana-suited one. This weekend, something spectacular happened at Bank of America Stadium, and at the heart of it all is a hometown hero: Eric Jones, catcher and first baseman for the viral baseball sensation, the Savannah Bananas.
Now, if you haven't heard of the Savannah Bananas, you're missing out on a full-blown entertainment revolution in baseball. Think Harlem Globetrotters meets the diamond – wild trick plays, dance routines, fan interactions, and pure joy. And guess who’s right in the middle of this phenomenon? A Charlotte native who once walked the halls of South Meck High School and played his heart out at Davidson College.
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Eric Jones returned to his roots this week, standing on the very turf that legends like Luke Kuechly once dominated – and yes, he wore Kuechly’s jersey with pride. For Jones, this isn’t just another stop on the tour. It’s deeply personal. He lit up when talking about being back in the Queen City, knowing that family, friends, and familiar faces would be in the stands cheering him on. “It’s going to be so many people that I know,” he said. “So many people are going to see Banana Ball for the first time.”
Jones’ path to the Bananas was anything but traditional. After an impressive collegiate career, he was signed by the Minnesota Twins in 2019. But then came COVID, disrupting everything. During that time, he found his way to the Bananas – and something clicked. Even with masks and limited crowds, he felt the energy. He left briefly, playing for the Seattle Mariners' minor league system and even serving as a bullpen catcher for their MLB squad. But his heart kept pulling him back to the Bananas – back to performing, entertaining, and yes, still playing real baseball.
For Jones, this role blends it all – baseball, performance, and connecting with fans. It’s a full-circle moment, especially when he looks back and realizes that his childhood interests in music, modeling, and theater now play just as big a role in his current career as his athletic ability. “Now it’s just about being the best performer I can be,” he said. “To give the fans what they came to see.”
And the Charlotte connection didn’t stop with Eric. On the other side of the field, Reece Hampton – another Queen City product and Charlotte Christian alum – suited up for the Party Animals, the Bananas' playful rival team. These two local stars went head-to-head, both with deep roots in the city and stories that highlight the rich baseball talent coming out of Charlotte.
So if you were anywhere near Uptown this weekend and saw fans in banana costumes and music blasting from a stadium not typically known for baseball – now you know why. Charlotte went Bananas, and one of its own led the charge.
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