BILLINGS— A viral baseball league has introduced they are going to stop in Billings subsequent 12 months, a results of Visit Billings and the Billings Mustangs working collectively to develop the city’s sports scene.
The Firefighters and Party Animals groups from the Banana Ball Championship League are slated to play at Dehler Park in Billings August 20 by 22, as part of their Savannah Bananas World Tour.
Watch to see clips of viral baseball league:
Viral baseball league announces tour stop in Billings, city expands sports scene
“They’ve grown to sell out every stadium they ever go to. So, it’ll be very exciting to see this place packed for another three games next summer,” mentioned Billings Mustangs General Manager Matt Allen.
According to Visit Billings Sports Tourism Director Casey Conlon, individuals in attending can get forward on tickets by coming into a lottery.
Vanessa Willardson
“They sell out every single game that they play, so we promise you’re gonna want to get your name in early,” mentioned Conlon.
The groups carry out choreographed dances in the course of the recreation, which they’ve gone viral for on social media platforms, similar to TikTok.
“We’ve talked to a number of groups all across this country that have had them over the last couple of years and they say, ‘Anything you can do to get them here, do that. Get them here because they are a show unlike we’ve seen for baseball fans, for fun fans.’ Really anybody is going to enjoy the three-night show they put on,” mentioned Conlon.
The Party Animals on TikTok
Banana Ball is considered one of a number of methods Billings is increasing its sports scene.
“Sports tourism is a $50 billion industry. And for us to be able to carve our piece of that pie is really important for our community,” mentioned Visit Billings Executive Director Aly Eggart.
The city is on observe to have a new recreation center, ice arena and indoor pickleball courts subsequent 12 months.
“None of this is coincidence, right? It’s all happening because, you know, eight years ago we did a sports feasibility study that showed us that Billings needs more facilities, and the appetite’s there,” mentioned Eggart.
Vanessa Willardson
One of the brand new developments, indoor pickleball courts, will probably be constructed at 2290 King Ave, the earlier location of Costco. The facility is on observe to open by June.
The courts are going to be the primary The Flying Pickle franchise in Montana. The enterprise first opened in Meridian, Idaho in 2023.
“We’re extremely excited for it. It’s going to be a great location,” mentioned Guy Atkins, Billings Pickleball Association Vice President.
The Flying Pickle
According to Atkins, the pickleball group has expanded considerably since he began enjoying the game 23 years in the past.
“Before anybody really knew, I got a lot of ‘pickle-what’ looks back then,” mentioned Atkins.
The affiliation has 265 members proper now and reaches lots of extra by crew attain teams. Atkins mentioned the indoor courts will assist accommodate the rising quantity pickleball athletes.
Vanessa Willardson
“Sounds like they’re going to have 14 courts at minimum, and some really great facilities there. So, it’s going to be a place for people to come, play pickleball, learn pickleball,” he mentioned.
Other tasks underway embody the Amend Recreational Center (ARC) and the Signal Peak Ice Arena, that are additionally on observe to open in June.