Fun First Drives Bananas’ Success, More Promotions and Entertainment Planned for Year Two

Jesse Cole likes to do things his way, but a trio of legendary promoters overlooking his desk inside Grayson Stadium might have had issue with the perceived originality.  His vision has been extracted from Walt Disney, Bill Veeck and P.T. Barnum, whose posters line his office wall.  Read more here.

Update: Proposed Gastonia Ballpark

In October, the Gastonia (NC) City Council voted 7-0 to approve an initial $4 million to ignite FUSE (Franklin Urban Sports and Entertainment) — a multi-use redevelopment downtown anchored by an estimated $15 million ballpark for the Gastonia Grizzlies (Summer Collegiate, Coastal Plain League) — to purchase and begin demolition on four properties.  Architectural work will come next, with construction potentially beginning later this year.  Read more here.

Bananas Open in Front of Sell-Out Crowd

PRESS RELEASE – In front a sellout crowd of 4,073 people, the Savannah Bananas put on a show but slipped up against the Blowfish by the score of 8-5. Not even a 90 minute rain delay could keep away the fans as they were treated to dancing Nanas, Irish tap-dancing and even a Golden Banana.

Talking the Return of Baseball in Savannah

Mark your calendars for June 2. That’s when Jesse Cole and the summer collegiate Coastal Plain League will debut the beginning of a new era for historic Grayson Stadium in Savannah (GA) after the departure of the Savannah Sand Gnats (Single-A, South Atlantic League).  The ownership will host an event early next month to announce the team’s name and unveil the logo, uniforms and color scheme.  Read more here.

Savannah Baseball Announces Name-the-Team Finalists

The finalists for the new summer collegiate Coastal Plain League franchise in Savannah (GA) are the following:  Anchors, Bananas, Party Animals, Ports, and Seagulls.  Fans can vote on their favorite by clicking here.  Fans First Entertainment introduced their President, Jared Orton, in early November, who announced the “Help Us Name the Team Contest.”  Read announcement here.  Thanks to Mark Tobin for the heads up.

Coastal Plain League Franchise to Replace Departing Savannah Sand Gnats

A summer collegiate Coastal Plain League franchise will take up residence at Grayson Stadium when the Savannah Sand Gnats (Single-A, South Atlantic League) depart for a new ballpark in Columbia (SC) after the 2015 season.  The team will be owned by Jesse Cole and Fans First Entertainment, who will continue to own the Gastonia Grizzlies and manage the Martinsville Mustangs in the CPL.  Read more here.  Watch news reports here and here.

Cole Purchases Gastonia Grizzlies

PRESS RELEASE – The Gastonia Grizzlies are pleased to announce that Jesse Cole has agreed to terms with Ken Silver to purchase the baseball club. Cole has served as the Managing Partner/General Manager of the Grizzlies since 2008.

Cole Named CPL’s 2014 Executive of the Year

PRESS RELEASE – The Coastal Plain League has announced Jesse Cole as the 2014 CPL Executive of the Year. Cole is the Managing Partner for the Gastonia Grizzlies and Forest City Owls, while also serving as President of Team Cole and Associates – the management firm that operates the Martinsville Mustangs.