SAN ANTONIO – After playing two sold-out banana ball games over the weekend, players from the Party Animals and Texas Tailgaters teams brought their energy to a different crowd.
On Monday, the players visited patients at CHRISTUS Children’s. Hospital staff celebrated their arrival, along with Ballapeno, the mascot of the San Antonio Missions.
Staffers held posters together that read, “Welcome to CHRISTUS CHILDRENS.” Another sign said, “Let’s go BANANAS.”
>> 📸 Sights & Sounds from Banana Ball in San Antonio🍌⚾
The hospital’s facility dog, Marcus, also joined in on the fun, greeting the players and accompanying them as they met with patients.
In the playroom, Party Animal pitcher Nate Tellier made slime with some of the children. In the other corner, Texas Tailgaters infielder Jonathon Luders played Connect 4 with another patient.
Banana ball, known for its fast-paced twist on traditional baseball, features choreographed dances and lively celebrations that have gone viral on social media.
Party Animal catcher Bronson Balholm taught one patient the steps to the viral “Hey Baby” dance, and another patient even taught the team his own moves.
The players then split up to read stories to patients and visit the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Texas Tailgaters pitcher Zach Blankenship, Party Animals pitcher Blake Benson and utility player Sal Jacobo also visited with patients.
For the patients who couldn’t see the players, the teams recorded a video message.
“Keep on going, stay strong, we love you guys so much,” the message said, in part. “Keep on smiling, being positive, good things are coming.”
The Party Animals and Texas Tailgaters will play next in Round Rock on Sept. 19-20.
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