Fans cheer as jets fly over Kinnick Stadium before a professional exhibition baseball game between the Savannah Bananas and the Firefighters at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Ethan McLaughlin/The Daily Iowan)
70,000 fans filled Kinnick Stadium for the second consecutive day of the Savannah Bananas taking on The Firefighters in a professional baseball exhibition in Iowa City, IA on Saturday, July 4, 2026. Fireworks celebrated both Independence Day, and the Bananas’ 4-0 win over the Firefighters.
Hours before the game itself, fans packed into lines under the July sun to take part in the pregame festivities of player meet and greets, and the “Before the Peel” performance. The show included appearances from players, musical performances coming from performers of both teams.
The game featured the signature theatrics of Banana Ball, with musical numbers, skits, and fan interaction. Iowa City traditions held strong as attendees and players took part in the wave to the Stead Family Children’s Hospital. The night’s festivities concluded with fireworks from the press box of Kinnick Stadium.
Savannah Bananas players meet fans following the gates opening for a professional exhibition baseball game between the Savannah Bananas and the Firefighters at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Ethan McLaughlin/The Daily Iowan) (Ethan McLaughlin)Savannah Bananas’ Dr Meadows (5)celebrates military and emergency services during a professional exhibition baseball game between the Savannah Bananas and the Firefighters at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, July 4th, 2026. (Cole Mauskemo/Daily Iowan)Fans wave to the Stead Family Children’s Hospital during a professional exhibition baseball game between the Savannah Bananas and the Firefighters at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Ethan McLaughlin/The Daily Iowan) (Ethan McLaughlin)Savannah Bananas owner Jesse Cole signs various items for young fans before a professional exhibition baseball game between the Savannah Bananas and the Firefighters at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Ethan McLaughlin/The Daily Iowan) (Ethan McLaughlin)Savannah Bananas’ KJ Jackson (4) runs to first base during a professional exhibition baseball game between the Savannah Bananas and the Firefighters at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, July 4th, 2026. (Cole Mauskemo/Daily Iowan)A young fan throws a banana from the upper level as a part of a game during a professional exhibition baseball game between the Savannah Bananas and the Firefighters at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Ethan McLaughlin/The Daily Iowan) (Ethan McLaughlin)Savannah Bananas’ Dr Meadows (5)makes a play to stop the runner advancing during a professional exhibition baseball game between the Savannah Bananas and the Firefighters at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, July 4th, 2026. (Cole Mauskemo/Daily Iowan)Savannah Bananas’ Kyle Luigs (12) fires a pitch to the plate during a professional exhibition baseball game between the Savannah Bananas and the Firefighters at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Ethan McLaughlin/The Daily Iowan) (Ethan McLaughlin)Savannah Bananas’ Jackson Olson (8)makes a play during a professional exhibition baseball game between the Savannah Bananas and the Firefighters at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, July 4th, 2026. (Cole Mauskemo/Daily Iowan)Savannah Bananas’ Bill Leroy (1)looks to dive on a ball to stop Firefighters’ Mason Maxwell (7) running to first during a professional exhibition baseball game between the Savannah Bananas and the Firefighters at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, July 4th, 2026. (Cole Mauskemo/Daily Iowan)The Firefighters’ ‘Calendar Crew’ flex on the pitchers mound during a professional exhibition baseball game between the Savannah Bananas and the Firefighters at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Ethan McLaughlin/The Daily Iowan) (Ethan McLaughlin)The Firefighters’ ‘Calendar Crew’ arrive via fire truck before a professional exhibition baseball game between the Savannah Bananas and the Firefighters at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Ethan McLaughlin/The Daily Iowan) (Ethan McLaughlin)Savannah Bananas’ Derek Klena (24) and other Bananas perform a song and dance routine during a professional exhibition baseball game between the Savannah Bananas and the Firefighters at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Ethan McLaughlin/The Daily Iowan) (Ethan McLaughlin)Firefighters’ Armando Becerra (30)swings for a strike at bat during a professional exhibition baseball game between the Savannah Bananas and the Firefighters at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, July 4th, 2026. (Cole Mauskemo/Daily Iowan)Savannah Bananas’ Easton Parrish (17) launches a banana ball in the stands during a professional exhibition baseball game between the Savannah Bananas and the Firefighters at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, July 4th, 2026. (Cole Mauskemo/Daily Iowan)Savannah Bananas third base coach Reginald “The Legend” Horton shows off a signature for a fan before a professional exhibition baseball game between the Savannah Bananas and the Firefighters at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Ethan McLaughlin/The Daily Iowan) (Ethan McLaughlin)Savannah Bananas’ Dakota Albritton (14) takes a selfie with fans before a professional exhibition baseball game between the Savannah Bananas and the Firefighters at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Ethan McLaughlin/The Daily Iowan) (Ethan McLaughlin)
