SAN DIEGO — The scene at Petco Park was electric from the pregame party to the final out this past weekend, as the Savannah Bananas brought their sold-out 2025 Banana Ball World Tour to Southern California. But for Temecula, the real headline was Kelsie Whitmore, who returned to her roots as a trailblazer on baseball’s brightest stage, cheered on by friends and family from the Southern California area where her journey began.
Pregame festivities kicked off long before the first pitch, immersing fans in the full Bananas spectacle. The gates opened to music and laughter, with Banana Ball players and staff welcoming thousands who had lucked into one of the nearly 80,000 tickets that sold out in less than 90 minutes. A 7:03 p.m. start time set the tone, and from that moment, the two-hour game clock promised two hours of pure excitement with local energy at its peak.
Between innings, fans were treated to a barrage of fun. Events such as a lively pie-in-the-face contest, a firefighter hose pull, starring a local girl from Southern California, even a pregnant lady dance-off on the field, which all proved to be crowd-pleasing and unforgettable, earning cheers from every section of the sold-out ballpark. Young fans and families soaked in every moment, the thrumming music serving as a constant soundtrack.
As fun as the game was, it was Kelsie Whitmore’s entrance that drew the loudest ovation, a tribute to both her career and her push for inclusivity. Whitmore’s journey began just miles away, competing with the Temecula Youth Baseball League (TYB), as well as her Xtreme travel ball club, before breaking through the all-male high school baseball team at Temecula Valley High School. As a Golden Bear she also competed in soccer, golf, and a myriad of other sports and activities.
Her parents, Scott and Mirasol, plus her brother Matthew, had front-row seats once again—not just for a game, but for a homecoming years in the making. Friends from Temecula who have supported her since her youth days, filled the stands both nights, turning Petco Park into an unofficial “Team Kelsie” section.
Whitmore, 27, has traveled a remarkable road since those Temecula days, but her path hasn’t been easy. Prior to the game, she took time to stand in an empty Petco Park and thank God for everything she has been chosen for.
“At the beginning of the year, I was actually on the verge of putting my cleats away and moving on,” says Whitmore. “I’m not a 6’2 power pitcher that throws gas. I’m me, and I was ok with what I had done up to this point. My spring training in Mexico didn’t go as planned, and even though some offers to keep playing were on the table, I was feeling empty. Then, the phone rang, it was the Bananas, and I was “all-in” for where the Lord was leading me!”
After making history as the first woman to start in the Atlantic League with the Staten Island FerryHawks, earning accolades with the Oakland Ballers, and pitching and hitting for Team USA at the World Cup, she’s become one of the foremost names in women’s baseball. Her “Be You” clothing brand stands as a reminder of her message–own your individuality, believe in yourself, and never be afraid to break boundaries. It’s a mantra that resonated all night, worn by local fans throughout the park.
The action between the lines was pure Banana Ball—an eleven-rule recipe for mayhem and family-friendly fun invented by owner Jesse Cole, who patrolled the park decked in his signature yellow tuxedo and top hat. Inning one saw the Firefighters belt a home run that energized both their fans and the Bananas faithful. There are no slow innings in Banana Ball; a crowd can make an out by catching a foul ball, and in San Diego, this happened more than once, sending everyone into delighted chaos.
When Whitmore pitched her scoreless seventh inning Friday, she added another first: becoming the only woman to throw a full, run-free inning for the Bananas—a fact that brought local fans to their feet. The constant music, on-field skits (including the shirtless Firefighters channeling “Top Gun: Maverick”), and never-ending dance numbers kept the crowd moving. Even umpire Vincent Chapman broke out his signature moves as “The Dancing Ump.”
Former Padres closer Heath Bell brought the heat and nostalgia on Friday night as he sprinted from the dugout in the sixth inning to a hero’s welcome, pitching with the clock showing 33 minutes left in the game. The 6th inning also saw military members from the San Diego region and their families honored in a stirring appreciation segment.
As the sun set, not a single mention of rival cities drew applause—San Diego’s loyalty was to the Bananas, to Kelsie, and to their own. When Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman took the mound Saturday to “Hells Bells,” the decibel level soared higher than any playoff night in recent memory.
The Bananas’ enormous popularity goes well beyond the local baseball crowd. With 10.7 million followers on TikTok—nearly equaling all of Major League Baseball combined—and fans waitlisted for months, the team has turned Banana Ball into one of sports’ hottest tickets. The rules guarantee action: every inning is its own contest, bunting is banned, no stepping out allowed, and yes, if a fan catches a foul ball, it’s an out.
Petco Park was filled to the brim with local touches, none more meaningful than Whitmore’s blend of skill, poise, and authenticity on and off the field. “There’s so many young girls that I get to meet that come up to me and say, ‘Hey, I play baseball now because I saw you,’” she said, reflecting the impact she’s had on future generations. With her involvement in the new Women’s Pro Baseball League set to launch in 2026, and her “Be You” motto spreading empowerment, Whitmore is changing the landscape for young women worldwide.
Postgame, Gallagher Square turned into a party as fans, players, and families danced to The Banana Band, closing a night that celebrated not only baseball but community, joy, and the confidence to be yourself.
Whitmore’s journey—from Temecula fields to the international stage, from team rosters to her own brand, and now as a Banana Ball star—remains a story of breaking down walls. On these two San Diego nights, with family, friends, and childhood supporters watching, she proved once more that home is never far, and that dreaming big only starts with believing you can.
Savannah Bananas Remaining 2025 Tour Dates and Stops
All games start at 7 p.m. local time unless otherwise noted. Sunday games in Savannah & Minor League stadiums begin at 1 p.m. Sunday games in MLB stadiums begin at 3:30 p.m.
- San Antonio, TX – September 12–13 – Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium
- Bronx, NY – September 13–14 – Yankee Stadium
- Round Rock, TX – September 19–20 – Dell Diamond
- Seattle, WA – September 19–20 – T-Mobile Park
- Houston, TX – September 26–27 – Daikin Park
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