SAVANNAH BANANAS SEEK NAME OF NEW MASCOT

SAVANNAH, GA March 29, 2016 - The Savannah Bananas announced today a naming contest for the new banana mascot, which is set to be unveiled at a pep rally at Heard Elementary School on Friday, April 8^th at 1:30PM. The winner will receive Ticket Memberships and a chance to participate in the unveiling ceremony.

 "Our mascot is an essential part of the Savannah Bananas identity,” said President Jared Orton. “We believe it’s important for the community to select the best name for the Savannah Bananas Mascot. We think our banana mascot will make a great addition to our show nightly at Grayson Stadium and quickly become a big part of the Savannah Community.”

Mascot name suggestions can be submitted online through the Savannah Bananas website:

www.TheSavannahBananas.com/NameTheMascot

Name suggestions will be accepted starting Tuesday, March 29th, until 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, April 5^th. The winning name will be announced April 8^th and the mascot will make its official debut at Heard Elementary School that afternoon. The winner of the contest will be selected at random from those fans who submitted the winning name.

Fans First Entertainment also owns and operates the Gastonia Grizzlies of the Coastal Plain League.  The Grizzlies have led the league in attendance the past three seasons, been named Organization of the Year and recognized regionally and nationally for unique from promotions and their fan experience.

For the 2016 season, the Savannah Bananas introduced All You Can Eat Memberships for Season Tickets and Five Game Packages that include Chicken Sandwiches, Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Popcorn, Dessert, Soda and Water for only $15 a ticket.  For more information and to purchase memberships, fans can visit www.TheSavannahBananas.com or by calling the front office at 912-712-2482.

The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 20^th season in 2016, the CPL features 16 teams playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL has had nearly 1,300 alumni drafted and 81 of those – including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander – make their Major League debut; while another notable alum – Russell Wilson – won Super Bowl XLVIII. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com and follow us via Twitter @CPLBaseball.

Savannah Bananas of the Coastal Plain League Announce New Manager as Sean West

The Savannah Bananas have announced that Sean West has been hired as their head coach for the inaugural season.   West currently serves as an assistant coach for the University of Texas at Dallas.  He is the first base coach, the hitting coach, works with outfielders and catchers, and is also the recruiting coordinator.

 West will enter his second year as a head coach in the Coastal Plain League.   West worked for Fans First Entertainment in 2015 as the head coach of the Martinsville Mustangs.

“We are tremendously fortunate and excited to have Sean West as the first coach in Savannah Bananas franchise history,” said Owner Jesse Cole.  “We were able to find him late in the process last year with our franchise in Martinsville, VA and he made an immediate impact on our players and the community.”

“I couldn’t be more excited to become the first head coach in the inaugural season for the Savannah Bananas. The coaching staff we have put together is special. We have a group of hard working, talented coaches who are very passionate about teaching the game of baseball, and developing leaders. The fans and community are in for a treat this summer, I promise!” said West.

West has a diverse baseball background. He began his career as a player at Palm Beach Atlantic University. During the 2005 season he was named the NCCAA Player of the Year in the South Region, and was also a NCCAA first team All-American.

After his playing career, West decided to enter into coaching. “It is my belief that these individuals were placed in my life to help mold, shape, and guide me to become a better person and the leader I was called to be. This is my inspiration for getting involved in coaching and investing in the lives of young men.”

His first entrance into the coaching profession was at San Diego Christian College, becoming the interim head coach for a short period. Next, he would head to Denison College to become an assistant coach. At Denison he had a variety of duties including assistant recruiting coordinator, and head of baseball operations.

Cole went on to add, “Sean is first class all the way and is a very talented recruiter.  He will bring some of the top talent in the country to Grayson Stadium this year and there is no one better to lead the franchise in the first season.”

From 2010-2013 West was also the General Manager of the Licking County Settlers, a summer collegiate team in Newark, Ohio. In the summer of 2013 he served as an assistant coach with the Cotuit Kettleers in the Cape Cod League. With his help the Kettleers went on to win the 2013 Cape Cod League Championship.

He cites that Championship as the best moment of his coaching career. “Very few people have the opportunity to win a championship in their lifetime, and to do it at the highest level of summer collegiate ball was very special,” West said. “Looking onto the field while my players celebrated their hard work at the game’s end and watching them start to dog pile is my favorite moment thus far.”

Coach Mike Roberts, Chicago Cubs Instructor & Head Coach Cotuit Kettlers, Cape Cod League: “Coach West is an outstanding selection to be the first head coach of the Savannah Bananas. Sean is an exceptional person off the field; mature young teacher/leaver on the field; and has rapidly accumulated a great deal of experience as a GM, Head Coach, and Assistant Coach in summer college baseball. Coach West’s outstanding work habits and detailed reports on opponents, when he was my assistant coach, were a huge key to our team winning the 2013 Cape Cod League Title. Congratulations to Coach West. Good luck during the 2016 season.”

West is excited to join the Savannah community. “Not only do I get to return home to Georgia for the summer, but I get to spend it with my beautiful wife Kristen, who is expecting September 1st, in one of our nation’s most beautiful, historic cities.”

Story courtesy: Savannah Bananas Baseball Front Office