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<\/p>\nTHERE’S a new baseball craze making its way across the United States, and a local face is in the thick of the action.<\/p>\n
Liam Spence, a former Tennessee baseball shortstop and Geelong native, has spent the past four months playing Banana Ball, a fast-paced, circus-like baseball-styled game with non-traditional rules, a “fans first” approach and a party atmosphere that continues to draw massive crowds.<\/p>\n
Spence made his debut with the Firefighters at Kauffman Stadium, the home of professional American baseball team the Kansas City Royals, in May, and has since travelled across the US, playing to sold-out crowds at major league ball parks, and in front of stars like American football quarterback Eli Manning.<\/p>\n
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“I was just very intrigued by Banana Ball and the opportunities that it brings and wanted just to give it a go. I’m very thankful that I did, because I’ve had an absolute blast,” Spence said.<\/p>\n
He describes the game and its atmosphere as “controlled chaos”.<\/p>\n
“There’s just so much going on at the games. The atmosphere is like a concert, but there’s baseball going on. There’s fan engagement non-stop.<\/p>\n
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“It’s a whole new world for me, but I’m just trying to embrace it and have fun with it.<\/p>\n
“When you’re around a group of guys that are doing the same thing, and just trying to have fun and you enjoy being around each other, it makes the whole experience a blast.”<\/p>\n
Now a viral sensation, Banana Ball started in Georgia in 2016 and has quickly gained traction, with its theatrics, trick shots and other hijinks delighting hundreds of thousands of fans, including those who have not previously been interested in baseball.<\/p>\n
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“It’s bringing out a lot of enjoyment for people who would never go to a baseball stadium or baseball game. They can take their family to it and know that they’re going to have a good time,” Spence said.<\/p>\n
His signature trick plays include kicking the ball instead of throwing it.<\/p>\n
“Whatever’s normal, we’ll do the opposite,” Spence explained.<\/p>\n
“As an Australian, I always grew up kicking the football with Dad in the backyard\u2026 it’s just one of those things you practice and hopefully the right moment comes [in a game] and you can do it.<\/p>\n
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“It’s fun just trying these new things, and then when you pull it out in the game for a packed stadium, it’s a really cool feeling.”<\/p>\n
With only a few more weeks of the Banana Ball season remaining for 2025, Spence will soon return to Australia to play for the Adelaide Giants in the Australian Baseball League.<\/p>\n
“I love being in Australia. It’s always fun that I get the opportunity to come back for a couple of months and play baseball,” Spence said.<\/p>\n
“It’s one of the best times of the year, just playing in the ABL, so I’m very, very keen to get back.”<\/p>\n