Updated August 26 2016
HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C. - The Coastal Plain League announced today that the Savannah
Bananas (pictures courtesy MT Photography) have been selected as the 2016 CPL
Organization of the Year. This was the team’s inaugural season.
“The Savannah Bananas had a storybook first season full of
memories on and off the field,” said CPL COO and Commissioner Justin Sellers.
“Jesse and Emily Cole, Jared Orton, and their entire staff did a fabulous job
of creating an entertaining environment that put fans first, while head coach
Sean West and his coaches and players put together a competitive team that
brought home a championship to Savannah. This award honors the entire Savannah
Bananas organization, their fans, and the City of Savannah. We look forward to
more exciting times for the Savannah Bananas franchise!”
Savannah was chosen after collecting surveys, on every facet
of an organization from game-day operations to overall hospitality and
community involvement, from team owners, general managers, head coaches,
umpires, players and league officials. From these, it was clear that the
Bananas organization stood out as one to be honored in 2016 for excelling in
every area possible.
“We are truly humbled to receive this award from Coastal
Plain League and receive recognition from fellow owners and staff,” said
Bananas owner Jesse Cole. “The reception from the Savannah community was beyond
our wildest dreams and we are proud to share this honor along with the Petitt
Cup with all of Savannah.”
The Bananas took over historic Grayson Stadium and produced
not only the highest attendance numbers in Coastal Plain League history, but
the second highest in all of summer collegiate baseball. Their numbers also
marked the highest average attendance in the history of the stadium itself - of
which has been home to multiple minor league franchises including most recently
the Savannah Sand Gnats. In total, the Bananas brought in 91,004 fans across 25
home dates and three playoff games for an average of 3,250 fans each night.
Included in this was 18 sellouts, coming out to a sellout percentage of 64% of
all home games in a stadium with a capacity of over 4,000.
“This is a testament to our entire staff here in Savannah,”
said owner Emily Cole. “They have worked tremendously hard year round to
put the fans first in everything they do and we all couldn’t be more proud.”
New to the city of Savannah, it was important to the Cole’s
that the Bananas become a fixture in the community. Through multiple
promotional nights and events with player and staff around the city, the
Bananas raised over $41,000 for non-profits within the community by seasons
end.
The success was not solely limited to the stands or the
community either, the Bananas were a hit on the field as well eventually
earning the number one seed out of the West in the Petitt Cup Playoffs before
going on to become the 2016 Coastal Plain League Champions with a two games to
one win over the Peninsula Pilots in the Petitt Cup Championship Series. It was
a team that finished the season in historic fashion by breaking the all-time
CPL team batting average record coming in at .303, now tied with the 2016
Pilots for the best team batting average in CPL history. While no all-time
records were set on the mound they were still one of the league’s best in 2016
finishing second in team earned run average at 3.56, helped along by Bananas’
pitcher and the league’s leader in ERA Beau Sulser (Dartmouth.)
Jesse and Emily both acknowledge none of this could be done
without the great support of the city of Savannah as well as the Bananas staff
which includes: President Jared Orton, Head Coach Sean West, Director of
Sponsor Services Marie Gentry, Fan Development Coordinator Berry Aldridge,
Director of Group Sales Daniel Mackerty, Group Sales Coordinator Patrick
Briody, Corporate Marketing Director Mitch Torres, Marketing Coordinator Liz
Bushaw, Office Coordinator Keke Coles, Community Outreach Director Lizzy
O’Connell and all of the amazing interns and game-day staff that were integral
to the Bananas success in 2016.
The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s premier summer
collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 20th 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 90 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, like us on Facebook at Coastal Plain
Leagye and follow us via Twitter and Instagram @CPLBaseball.
