Indianapolis Clowns @ Firefighters

0:29 Fans, the newest Banana Ball TEAM, THE

0:31 FIRE FIGHTERS.

0:36 WITH ONE sound of the sirens in Grayson

0:38 Stadium, the Fire Fighters officially

0:40 arriving for duty in Banana Ball in

0:43 2024. The third team to join the game

0:46 along with the Savannah Bananas and

0:48 Party Animals, a group much different

0:50 than those two titanic brands. One

0:52 representing grit, heroism, risk-taking

0:55 toughness.

0:56 >> LOGAN LACEY BECOMES THE FIFTH player in

0:59 Banana Ball history TO PULL OFF A

1:01 BACKFLIP CATCH. AND honoring the heroes

1:04 who run into the blaze across all of our

1:06 communities.

1:07 >> It means so much more than I could have

1:09 ever thought.

1:10 >> It's everybody laying it all on the

1:11 line. Couldn't be more blessed.

1:13 >> Fire Fighters of the night are welcomed

1:15 alongside Parker Nolan, Val Perez, by

1:18 Zach Watson. It represents hard work. It

1:20 represents discipline. Honor those

1:22 people by how hard you play. [music] Do

1:24 not take that for granted.

1:25 >> Led by Val Perez, a 10-year firefighter

1:27 in Corpus Christi, Texas, and long-time

1:30 Bananas in Christian Dearman and Dakota

1:32 McFadden.

1:34 My dad's been a fireman for over

1:36 gosh, probably 50 years now. My uncle's

1:38 been in the fire department for a long

1:40 time. Never give in. Doesn't matter what

1:42 the situation is.

1:43 >> [music]

1:43 >> And you know, these guys never back

1:45 down. They're coming to save everyone

1:47 that they can. Being the son of a

1:49 firefighter, being the nephew of a

1:51 firefighter, and being a friend of so

1:54 many different firefighters,

1:57 it feels like this was meant for me.

1:59 Fighting the flames for 19 games in

2:01 2024, a year of history for the Fire

2:04 Fighters. DAKOTA MCFADDEN, THE FIRST

2:07 home run in THE HISTORY OF THE FIRE

2:09 FIGHTERS FRANCHISE. UNDER THE LEG TO

2:11 BRITO AT SECOND. A TRICK PLAY AND THE

2:14 FIRST WIN IN FIRE FIGHTERS HISTORY.

2:18 AND HE'S TAGGED [cheering] OUT

2:20 AND THE FIRE FIGHTERS HAVE WON THEIR

2:23 FINAL GAME OF 2024. AND IT'S THE PERFECT

2:26 ENDING

2:29 FOR THE BOYS IN RED AND YELLOW.

2:34 IN 2025, THE schedule going to 33

2:37 missions across the country, including

2:39 the team's very first headlining tour. A

2:42 three-city journey across Virginia, a

2:44 barnstorming month that left fans with

2:47 plenty of fiery moments.

2:49 >> Isaac Para behind the back. GREEN

2:51 THROUGH THE LEGS. DOUBLE PLAY WITH THE

2:54 BARE HAND. BACKFLIP. HANDSPRING. YES,

2:58 SIR. IN THE CENTER FIELD, IS IT GONE?

3:01 >> [screaming]

3:01 >> OH MY GOODNESS. Noah Bridges is the hero

3:06 in Salem.

3:07 And a host of new characters like mascot

3:10 Bo the Beaver.

3:13 >> [cheering]

3:14 >> And the first ever Dalmatian bat dog.

3:20 THE BLAZE SPREADING TO MAJOR

3:21 PROPORTIONS. The Fire Fighters playing

3:24 in 10 major league ballparks with their

3:26 first ever win in an MLB stadium coming

3:28 in Denver last August. THE FIRE FIGHTERS

3:32 STOP THE NANNERS WINNING STREAK AT 14

3:34 GAMES [cheering]

3:35 AND THEY TAKE GAME TWO HERE AT COORS

3:37 FIELD in showdowns. And they gave us one

3:40 of the most emotional nights in Banana

3:42 Ball history.

3:43 >> We pause to honor

3:45 and remember,

3:47 reflecting on the lives forever changed

3:50 on September 11th, 2001.

3:53 And tonight, we honor both the lives

3:56 that were lost and the lives that were

3:58 saved because of the selfless

4:01 actions of first responders.

4:03 Firefighter John Restella.

4:06 >> [applause]

4:10 >> Firefighter Chris LaGrow.

4:14 >> [applause]

4:15 >> Firefighter Frank Perez.

4:20 Firefighter Mike Lonowski.

4:25 >> [applause]

4:27 >> And firefighter Chris Schindler.

4:34 And firefighter Malcolm Moore.

4:37 >> [applause]

4:40 >> 9/11 FIRST RESPONDER PORT AUTHORITY

4:44 >> [cheering]

4:51 >> AND 9/11 first responder Lieutenant Eric

4:55 Parker. [cheering]

4:58 >> [applause]

4:58 >> And 9/11 first responder

5:02 Tom Atkins.

5:03 >> [cheering and applause]

5:06 >> AND 9/11 first responder

5:09 Randy Jones.

5:10 >> [cheering]

5:13 [applause]

5:15 >> FIRST RESPONDER

5:17 BRIAN

5:18 >> [cheering]

5:23 >> ONE MORE TIME

5:25 FOR OUR NEW YORK CITY Fire Fighters

5:27 from

5:28 >> [cheering]

5:30 >> first responders.

5:34 >> [applause]

5:38 >> Going into the postseason, the Fire

5:40 Fighters earning the four seed after

5:42 going 6 and 27. Only winning three times

5:45 in 23 chances against the Savannah

5:47 Bananas, the odds stacked against them

5:50 going against the team in yellow. Until

5:52 Bradford Webb and Ben Dump stepped up.

5:55 >> Bradford Webb, six innings, six goose

5:58 eggs for case. He was miraculous.

6:03 BEN DUMP THE THIRD FIRED UP

6:05 AS HE DRIBBLES THIS ONE OVER TO FIRST.

6:07 STEPHEN COHEN WILL TAKE IT BEHIND HIS

6:10 BACK [cheering]

6:10 AND TO THE BACK

6:11 AND THE FIRE

6:12 FIGHTERS

6:13 WIN GAME ONE. BEN DUMP, A NINE-OUT SAVE.

6:16 A one-nothing win in game one of the

6:18 semifinals giving the Fire Fighters just

6:20 as good a chance as anybody else. But

6:23 they dropped game two by one point

6:25 leading to a winner-take-all showdowns

6:27 in Grayson Stadium. Dalton Cornett

6:29 getting his chance to shine and creating

6:32 a moment [music] that will last in

6:34 Banana Ball history. THAT BALL

6:36 DEMOLISHED DEEP OUT TO RIGHT.

6:39 GONE.

6:40 DALTON CORNETT

6:41 SENDS THE FIRE FIGHTERS TO THE 2025

6:45 BANANA BALL TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL.

6:50 I DON'T EVEN HAVE WORDS RIGHT NOW.

6:52 This is like the greatest moment in my

6:53 ball history. From four seed to the

6:55 championship game, the Fire Fighters

6:58 becoming the ultimate Cinderella story

7:00 in Banana Land.

7:04 The Fire and Flames picking right up

7:06 where they left off in 2026. With

7:08 long-time Bananas Eric Jones Jr., Jared

7:11 Donaldson, and Zach Phillips officially

7:13 aboard, the team picked up its first

7:15 ever sweep in Banana Ball over the Loco

7:18 Beach Coconuts in Little Rock, Arkansas.

7:22 Launched an historic offensive

7:24 performance in Montgomery, Alabama

7:27 scoring 22 runs in one game to beat the

7:30 Indianapolis Clowns 4 to 2. Then swept

7:33 the Party Animals for the first time

7:35 ever in Albuquerque highlighted by an

7:37 incredible two rounds of showdowns in

7:39 game two. The Fire Fighters are the two

7:43 SEED

7:43 IN THE BANANA BALL INVITATIONAL.

7:46 HONESTLY, I've kind of done it so much

7:47 now, I'm pretty confident in myself

7:49 on that.

7:58 When you enter the fire service, you're

8:00 entering a brotherhood unlike any other

8:03 and you're trying to be the one who is

8:05 going to save somebody's life every

8:07 single day and you're in those

8:08 high-stress situations. That is a bond

8:10 unlike any other. So, remember when you

8:12 put these jerseys on, who you represent.

8:14 Take honor in that. Take pride in that.

8:16 When you enter this locker room, you

8:18 have officially entered the brotherhood

8:20 of the Banana Ball Fire Department. And

8:22 let's take pride in that.

8:26 ON HIS FIRST SWING WITH THE FIRE

8:27 FIGHTERS, AJ BUMPS IT.

8:30 >> [screaming]

8:31 >> JARED DONALDSON STRIKES OUT THE SIDE.

8:34 HIS FIRST FLAME AGAINST THE NANNERS.

8:41 NOAH BRIDGES IS TIMELESS.

8:45 WE HAVE A GOOD OFFENSE.

8:47 TINY WITH A BIG SHOT.

8:51 DARIAN MCDOWELL.

8:54 >> [screaming]

8:57 >> WHAT A HOT TEAM is sports, BABY. LET'S

8:58 GO.

9:04 AFTER A WET AND WILD

9:06 Thanks to the rain and the balls, a

9:08 beautiful afternoon descending upon us

9:11 in Greenville, South Carolina where the

9:13 fieriest fans of the world join us at

9:16 [music] Firehouse Sport Field for the

9:17 rubber match of the Fire Fighters and

9:19 Indianapolis Clowns. The Fire and

9:21 [music] Flames winning with a lightning

9:23 bolt of a swing from Dalton Cornett

9:24 night one, but the Clowns pouring on

9:26 [music] runs in game two much like the

9:28 raindrops fell last night. So, who

9:30 brings the storm big enough to win the

9:32 series? It's the Fire Fighters. It's the

9:35 Indianapolis Clowns live and in living

9:37 color. Let's roll. Welcome [music]

9:40 inside the dispatch center here at Fluor

9:42 Field in Greenville, South Carolina. I'm

9:44 Zach Staten. Boy, what a couple of games

9:46 that we have had here in the Palmetto

9:48 State. Night one, it went all the way

9:50 down to the ninth inning. Night two, we

9:52 didn't even make the ninth inning

9:54 because the two-hour clock expired in

9:57 the middle of the seventh frame, but the

9:59 Indianapolis Clowns sure didn't treat it

10:01 like it was a shortened game. They

10:02 scored all their runs quick, fast, and

10:05 in a hurry. 19 of them to be exact. We

10:08 take you to Saturday night where the

10:10 rain poured and so did the runs for the

10:12 Clowns. Top one for the second straight

10:16 night, Nick Hollsiser over the monster

10:19 in the first inning, two-run tater.

10:21 Clowns would go up three nothing. They'd

10:23 win the frame and get the point. But not

10:25 before a double trick play for Armando

10:27 and Lamar Sparks then Darian McDowell

10:29 earns the RBI ball for sprint and the

10:31 walk-off ball for sprint in the bottom

10:33 of the second. Firefighters would tie it

10:35 up and then it was all Clowns. Eli

10:37 Peyton two-run double out to left field.

10:40 They would start cruising in the top of

10:42 the fourth frame. Somebody break out the

10:44 Superman cape for Darian McDowell. What

10:46 a diving play there and maybe even a

10:49 even better one FOR KIRKLAND BANKS ON

10:52 THE TARP ROLLING AROUND AND GETS IT.

10:54 Then Peyton continuing to swing for the

10:56 fences. This time he gets it over the

10:58 fence, two-run bomb, and the Clowns

11:01 continue to hit for power

11:03 just like that rookie did and just like

11:05 the next rookie, Joe Gray Jr. Our

11:08 showman of the night. You can watch out

11:11 on off, torched it over that monster for

11:13 a two-run tater.

11:15 Joe Gray was a triple away from a cycle.

11:18 >> [music]

11:18 >> Firefighters made it rather interesting

11:21 in the bottom of the seventh, made it

11:22 9-5, but Brett Maddox striking out

11:24 Peanut. That's your ball game. The

11:26 Clowns win it 9 to 5. 19 runs scored in

11:30 the game. If you look at the hits,

11:32 Firefighters were pretty close to them.

11:33 There's 13 hits for the Clowns to 11 for

11:36 the Fighters, but they just could not

11:38 bring runs home and the Clowns put

11:40 pressure on them every top half of the

11:42 inning. Joe Gray Jr., what can you say?

11:44 Four for four, a single, a double, two

11:46 RBIs, and a home run in the seventh.

11:49 That was his first home run in Banana

11:51 Ball and boy, great greatness has shown

11:53 out in a hurry here in South Carolina.

11:55 .714 average so far this weekend. He's

11:58 been on base 80% of his at-bats. He's

12:01 been incredible. He's also been

12:03 productive with three RBI and again,

12:05 that first home run in Banana Ball. He

12:06 has been looking for that one for quite

12:08 some time. I have also been looking for

12:10 Michael Schwartz around here somewhere

12:12 and I do think he's actually lassoed in

12:14 the rodeo cowboy. Notice Joe Gray Jr.

12:16 Let's send it to the field with Michael.

12:20 Hey, here with Joe Gray Jr. who is as

12:22 smooth as monster cheese. Last night, a

12:25 triple away from the cycle, your first

12:28 Banana Ball home run over that green

12:30 monster. I got to ask though, you played

12:31 [music] for the Royals and you played

12:33 for the Brewers within their farm

12:35 systems for the majors. What's the

12:37 transition like coming from there to

12:38 Banana Ball? Man, I'll be honest with

12:40 you, man. I don't

12:41 as a player and for my players or my

12:43 guys out there that's in affiliate ball,

12:45 man, it ain't easy. You know, it's the

12:47 easy part is that it's less stressful,

12:49 you know, you get to have fun, you get

12:50 to, you know, enjoy enjoy your time on a

12:52 baseball field without the pressure, but

12:55 the cardio and

12:57 you know, for from a hitter standpoint,

12:58 trying to keep up with the same amount

13:00 of time and making sure you're on time

13:02 with these trick pitches and things and

13:03 stuff like that, man, like it's hard.

13:05 It's hard cuz it's the whole point of a

13:06 pitcher to disrupt time and and they get

13:08 to do it with whichever however way they

13:10 want.

13:11 >> You mentioned cardio. What is your

13:12 workout routine? Man, I work out pretty

13:14 much four days out of a week, you know,

13:17 and with that being said, you know,

13:18 Monday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday

13:20 is pretty much a combination of

13:23 regular lifts, but also trying to trying

13:26 to, you know, stimulate my body to what

13:27 we have to do out here cuz there's ball

13:29 for sprints and, you know, me being

13:31 being lead-off, I'm trying to get to

13:32 second as quick as possible, you know.

13:34 So, it's it's tough. It's tough. Hey,

13:36 you're doing it well. Let's keep it up.

13:38 The ball's flying like jet engines over

13:40 that green monster. Hey, hey green

13:42 monster, he is not afraid of you. He is

13:44 not afraid

13:45 >> Never never be afraid. Never be afraid.

13:47 Monsters aren't real. Monsters aren't

13:49 not real. We'll send it back up to you.

13:51 Michael Schwartz, thank you very much. I

13:53 don't know what happened there at the

13:54 end where you got the accent, but

13:56 wherever you pulled that from, it was a

13:57 nice job. The fans are pouring in here

13:59 at Fluor Field, just north of 5,000 all

14:02 over the berm, all over the seats here

14:04 in Greenville, South Carolina. They're

14:06 ready to see Banana Ball. So are we and

14:08 we need to introduce you to the rules of

14:09 this beautiful game. Here's the big man,

14:11 Jesse Cole.

14:15 Banana Ball is the fastest and most

14:17 entertaining show in sports and the 11

14:19 rules guarantee the most fans first

14:21 experience every second. Unbelievable!

14:25 WELCOME TO THE BANANA BALL CHAMPIONSHIP

14:27 LEAGUE. Rule number one, win the inning,

14:30 win the point. The team that scores the

14:32 most runs in an inning wins the point.

14:34 >> IT'S A WALK-OFF WINNER!

14:37 >> [cheering]

14:38 >> OH MY GOODNESS! WITH the equalizer

14:40 point, trick plays provide the away team

14:42 an opportunity to earn a point going

14:44 into the final inning.

14:46 And in the final inning, every run

14:48 counts as a point.

14:49 Rule number two, Banana Ball has a

14:51 2-hour time limit, guaranteeing that

14:54 every game is fast-paced and

14:56 action-packed.

14:58 Rule number three, no stepping out of

15:00 the batter's box. If you do, it will

15:02 result in a strike.

15:03 >> Max stepped out of the box and because

15:05 he stepped out of the box, that's it!

15:07 Rule number four, no bunting cuz bunting

15:10 sucks. If you bunt, you'll be thrown out

15:12 of the game. Rule number five, batters

15:15 can steal first base.

15:16 >> Ball three, GETTING TAKEN OFF FOR FIRST.

15:18 THROW FROM LEROY, IN TIME! RULE NUMBER

15:21 SIX, there's no walks. Walks are ball

15:25 for sprints. The batter can advance as

15:27 far as they want until every position

15:29 player touches THE BALL.

15:30 >> THOSE DEFENDERS HAVE TOUCHED THE BANANA

15:33 BALL. IT IS A FOUR-BASE SPRINT TO OPEN

15:36 up the ball game! Rule number seven,

15:38 no mound visits.

15:40 Nope.

15:41 Rule number eight, foul balls caught by

15:44 a fan count as an out.

15:52 Rule number nine, the showdowns. In

15:55 showdowns, the best of the best face off

15:57 in the biggest moment. One hitter versus

15:59 one pitcher with one fielder behind him.

16:02 And the hitter has to score. Take to

16:04 right center.

16:06 See

16:07 you later!

16:08 Rule number 10, the Banana Ball

16:10 Challenge Rule gives the coaches and you

16:12 the fans a chance to impact a call on

16:15 the field.

16:16 >> [cheering]

16:16 >> Rule number 11, the golden batter. Once

16:19 a game, each team can give any player an

16:22 at-bat regardless of the lineup. This

16:24 offers the biggest match-ups on the

16:26 biggest stage. Big on big! Tater,

16:29 let's go!

16:30 Let's go!

16:33 Let's go! Get out of here,

16:35 ball! That thing HAD A

16:36 FAMILY!

16:38 AND THOSE are the rules of Banana Ball.

16:42 Jesse Cole, thank you very much. The

16:44 Banana Ball rules have now been

16:45 established. They are ready here for it

16:48 in Greenville, South Carolina as Shadow

16:50 Ball has just gotten concluded for the

16:52 Indianapolis Clowns. Let's take a look

16:54 at the Banana Ball Championship League

16:56 standings. There has been some moving

16:57 and shaking and shuffling in the

16:59 standings over the last couple of days

17:01 here on one of our first three game

17:03 series weekends here in the league.

17:05 Bananas still very much at the top, 11

17:06 and one. They're outstanding.

17:08 Firefighters, even with the loss last

17:09 night, still a full game up on the

17:11 Coconuts for second place, but the Nuts

17:13 have moved into second place now taking

17:16 the series with the Texas Tailgaters who

17:18 as you see, they have the X next to

17:20 their name, cannot stress this enough.

17:21 They're already into the playoffs having

17:23 won the inaugural Banana Ball Open. The

17:25 Clowns are now in fifth. They're

17:26 knocking on the door, but again, this is

17:28 why that Banana Ball Open was so

17:30 important cuz you got to get into that

17:32 top four, really the top three to make

17:35 yourself comfortable. So, the Clowns, if

17:37 they win it today, boy, they could have

17:39 a lot of fun in the playoffs. We're

17:41 having FUN ON THE FIELD here in

17:42 Greenville.

17:45 It's none other than the Calendar Crew.

17:52 Put your paws together for our boss, the

17:55 official bat dog of the Firefighters,

17:58 Chief.

18:03 He is known as nature's firefighter and

18:06 our highest achiever, it's our tumbling

18:10 mascot, Bo the Beaver.

18:14 >> [cheering]

18:17 >> And finally, the Firefighters lead

18:20 singer, Sam Tannen.

18:28 Fans, give it up one more time for the

18:31 cast of your 2026 Firefighters.

18:51 Going back into the station to get ready

18:52 as the fire and flames are about to

18:54 enter into the stadium here at Fluor

18:56 Field. Well, hey, this is not the first

18:57 time the Firefighters have actually been

19:00 here to Greenville, South Carolina. They

19:01 played a multi-game series back in 2024

19:04 right here in this stadium. That was

19:06 their first season in Banana Ball. They

19:08 had their final game of 2024 right here.

19:11 It was a showdown thriller that they won

19:14 and they very much treated it like it.

19:15 Our own Matty Ward talked to a few of

19:17 the players who are still here today

19:20 from that 2024 squad and they reflect on

19:22 a night they still remember very fondly.

19:26 The one funny thing about the showdowns

19:28 that day [music] was that was the first

19:30 time we had showdowns all year long. We

19:32 talked about in practice, "Hey, we

19:34 should practice it. [music] We should

19:35 see what happens. What happens if you

19:37 walk somebody?" All these scenarios, but

19:39 we never got to actually do it

19:40 >> [music]

19:40 >> the entirety of the year until our very

19:43 last game of the year.

19:50 Logan Lacey.

19:53 I got out there and I went out there

19:54 looking for a certain pitch, got the

19:56 pitch, not the location I wanted but hit

19:58 it right down the line and the rest is

20:00 history. of the Party Animals Headline

20:02 Tour

20:03 will face Drew Gillespie.

20:05 LACEY DEEP INTO RIGHT. WHAT A DRIVE.

20:09 AIKEN UP ON THE SPRINT. LACEY DROPS THE

20:12 TRAILER PAST FIRST. [cheering] I was

20:13 gassed. I went when I was coming around

20:15 third, I do remember rounding second and

20:18 I'm like, no way I'm about to make this.

20:20 LOGAN [cheering]

20:21 LACEY

20:23 PUTS THE FIRE FIGHTERS UP THREE POINTS

20:26 TO TWO.

20:28 THAT COULD WIN IT IF REESE HAMPTON IS

20:32 NOT ABLE TO ANSWER HERE.

20:36 HAMPTON WILL FACE MARSHALL SILL WHO WAS

20:39 nailed in the eighth AND THE NINTH.

20:45 HAMPTON DEEP TO CENTER FIELD. HAMPTON

20:50 DROPS IT.

20:51 PARKER NOLLAN IS DOWN.

20:53 THE THROW TO SILL.

20:54 >> [cheering]

20:55 >> SILL HAS TO THROW HOME. THEY CAN GUN

20:58 DOWN HAMPTON THERE. HAMPTON IS TAGGED

21:01 OUT AND THE FIRE FIGHTERS HAVE WON THEIR

21:05 FINAL GAME OF 2024.

21:11 I remember being at the bottom of the

21:13 dog pile

21:13 >> [music]

21:14 >> and getting my ribs crushed and I was

21:16 like, please don't injure me. I want to

21:17 keep playing next year if that's a

21:18 possibility. And

21:21 I do remember like when we did win like

21:23 the amount of joy even though we didn't

21:24 have the best season,

21:26 we took a lot from that game and we knew

21:28 going into next season what we had to do

21:30 to get better. From 2024 till now,

21:32 Banana Ball [music] has obviously

21:33 changed and grown. But especially for

21:35 the Fire Fighters, that win in

21:37 Greenville felt like the start of

21:38 something [music] nobody could have

21:39 imagined for what would soon become the

21:41 Banana Ball Championship League.

21:44 Jesse was able to openly

21:46 shout us out and say, "Hey, for you guys

21:48 to come back [music] from one of the

21:49 hottest teams

21:50 >> in Banana Ball, the Party Animals at the

21:51 time,

21:52 to be able to come back have that fun,

21:54 be able to go right after them, shows

21:56 that this league [music] can be

21:56 something." For Fire Fighter Brandon, it

21:58 was amazing because, you know, it wasn't

22:00 the season we all wanted

22:01 >> [music]

22:01 >> cuz we were so brand new to all this. So

22:04 being able to end on that high, kind of

22:05 having the off season go like, "You know

22:06 what? We felt good about it. We can

22:08 figure it out." [music]

22:09 I mean, the guys wanted to win. We knew

22:11 it was our last game. We went all out.

22:13 We had guys doing diving plays. We got

22:15 Matt Wolf, 36 years old, doing [music] a

22:18 on one of the most unbelievable diving

22:19 plays I've ever seen in my life. Guys

22:21 wanted to win. We wanted it so bad that

22:23 game especially to end off the year. So

22:24 [music]

22:25 you could see all the guys they were

22:26 having fun. They were playing hard and

22:28 it was very important for that win.

22:30 What's carried over is having that good

22:31 core group of guys, you know, cuz

22:33 [music] obviously you have to add

22:34 pieces, take pieces, but having that

22:36 good core group of guys that have been

22:37 there, have done that, I think it's

22:39 amazing. The camaraderie, [music] the

22:40 chemistry, the the knowledge of guys,

22:42 veteran guys in Banana Ball is massive.

22:44 >> While the veteran knowledge of Banana

22:45 Ball has been a huge tool in the [music]

22:47 arsenal for the Fire Fighters this

22:49 season, it's the intangibles that head

22:51 coach Val Perez knows are priceless.

22:54 Just throwing it out there, that was the

22:55 most I've lost in my entire life in one

22:58 one summer. And so like [music] most of

23:00 these guys, they've been pretty

23:00 successful in their careers up until

23:02 that point. And so, you know, there's a

23:03 lot of self-reflecting and figuring out

23:06 how to get through adversity that some

23:07 [music] of us had never been in. And

23:09 when you have a good culture that keeps

23:11 you together in those moments to make

23:13 sure that you're ready for those

23:14 big-time moments and you're able to

23:15 succeed [music] during that. So

23:17 I'm always going to attribute it back to

23:19 the culture that we have. As the Fire

23:20 Fighters sit at their best start to a

23:22 season in franchise history, they

23:24 continue to reflect [music] on the core

23:26 of what makes them work as well as how

23:27 much they've grown since 2024.

23:30 It's more so encouraging them to

23:31 continue to to be a bleeding [music]

23:33 heart for one another and continue to

23:35 pour into that. And

23:36 you know, we've had even just this

23:38 season some adversity off the field,

23:40 their families and losses and and really

23:43 difficult situations that [music] some

23:44 players are going through with their

23:45 families. And you know, in that those

23:47 moments we've just shown right out of

23:49 the gates exactly what kind of family we

23:51 are. And so that's what we lean on

23:53 through a lot of it. The guys that we

23:54 picked up in the off season obviously

23:55 had a ton of experience, picked up a

23:57 couple vets that are continuing to

23:59 demand that out of our rookies.

24:02 But just the guys who've been here since

24:03 '24, this isn't our first rodeo anymore.

24:05 This isn't our first time headlining.

24:06 This isn't our first time playing

24:08 [music] in a three-game series. This

24:09 isn't our first time being in

24:10 Greenville. Like all of the

24:12 >> [music]

24:13 >> steps that come with like it not being

24:15 your first time. And so you have a lot

24:16 more confidence naturally in that.

24:18 >> [music]

24:18 >> You know, we've we've also understood

24:20 that this is the longest season we

24:21 played. And so we have to focus it on

24:25 game by game mode. And our mission all

24:27 the time is one and oh, one and oh that

24:28 day. That's all you got to do. Don't

24:29 worry about tomorrow. Don't worry about

24:31 yesterday. We go one and oh today. Just

24:33 [music] going into it, I just feel like

24:34 overall we're such a more mature team

24:36 overall.

24:38 Definitely more experienced. So I'm

24:39 excited. If you go from 2024 [music]

24:42 all the way to right now, I mean, you

24:44 wouldn't even believe that

24:45 we're basically like the same team but

24:49 we got so much better.

24:52 Logan Lacey is exactly right. This is

24:54 still the same brand, the same fire that

24:56 you know, but the team has grown so much

24:58 both in loyalty from you, the fans, and

25:01 by the way they play in the beautiful

25:03 sport of Banana Ball. Matty Warren,

25:04 thank you so much for taking us down

25:06 memory lane here in Greenville, South

25:08 Carolina on Fluor Field. There's a girl

25:10 on fire down on the field. Let's watch

25:12 her play tug-of-war with the calendar

25:13 crew.

25:16 January, GET IN THERE.

25:19 MAY, HELP.

25:21 GO.

25:24 Oh no, I'm helping. HERE I COME.

25:26 I got it. I got it.

25:31 Oh no.

25:33 >> [cheering]

25:49 [cheering]

25:50 >> Make some noise for Evelyn, y'all.

25:59 That little girl absolutely tore it up

26:02 here.

26:02 >> time to learn the rules of our game.

26:05 And the name of our game is Indianapolis

26:07 Clowns Fire Fighters. The rubber match

26:09 here between these two squads. This is

26:11 their fifth game against each other this

26:13 year. They're actually two and two there

26:14 and they're one and one on the weekend.

26:16 The starting pitchers for this glorious

26:17 afternoon in the Palmetto State, Nick

26:19 Wilson making just his second start on

26:22 the world tour. He started in the Banana

26:24 Ball Open as well against the veteran of

26:27 this bad boy, Jared Donaldson. Three

26:30 years Savannah Bananas with the world

26:32 tours. Nick Wilson, the rookie in the

26:34 sport.

26:35 Donny, if you look at this, he's got a

26:37 little bit more traction on the tires

26:39 just this world tour with 17 and two

26:41 thirds innings pitched and he has been

26:43 absolutely tearing it up with strike

26:46 out. 16 K's on the year. Coming into

26:48 this weekend, that was good enough for

26:50 third in the Banana Ball Championship

26:51 League. We'll see where he ranks now as

26:53 we go out of the weekend. Nick Wilson,

26:56 they've been looking for that second and

26:58 third day starter. He might very well be

27:00 able to do the job. He's been really

27:02 good in the back half of the bullpen.

27:04 Now as the starter, what can he do? 10

27:06 strike outs to just eight hits on his

27:08 ledger and a 2.25 ERA is quite good.

27:11 There's your pitching match up. We're

27:12 back right after this.

27:22 You're going to get an opportunity to

27:23 leave a legacy that is going to last

27:25 forever.

27:26 >> I set my goal to turn Banana Ball into

27:27 Party Animal Ball.

27:29 >> [cheering]

27:29 >> This locker room right here is y'all's

27:30 firehouse. So remember when you put

27:31 these jerseys on who you represent.

27:38 All are welcome. Come one, come all.

27:40 Come to the beach. This jersey

27:41 represents the history that was

27:43 represented by players before us. Jackie

27:45 Bradley Jr.

27:50 THIS DOOR WAS ALREADY CLOSED.

27:52 AND WHAT WHAT HAS BEEN

27:54 DONE NOW? BACK UP THE MIDDLE. HORSLEY

27:56 GOT IT BEHIND HIS BACK. BACKFLIP AND

27:59 SWING.

28:00 YES, SIR. JUMPING BETWEEN THE LEGS.

28:04 BEHIND THE BACK.

28:05 BUCKETS.

28:06 It is caught by a

28:07 >> [screaming]

28:08 >> fan.

28:08 IT'S OVER.

28:09 THE TEXAS TAILGATERS HAVE WON THEIR

28:11 FIRST game in franchise history. Blow

28:14 that kiss ON THE FIELD.

28:16 THE RAIN MAKER FROM ASHBY VINING. SUPER

28:20 REESE. ARE [screaming] YOU KIDDING ME?

28:21 AND THE SAVANNAH BANANAS will be the

28:24 number one team

28:26 WITH THE GAME ON the line.

28:29 That ball to balance.

28:31 Gone.

28:31 >> [cheering]

28:32 >> GOING TO THE NET.

28:34 SENDS THE FIRE FIGHTERS TO THE 2025

28:37 BANANA BALL TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS.

28:39 [cheering] Scholl's

28:41 deep right center field. JAKE SCHOLL

28:43 >> [cheering]

28:44 >> TO RIGHT

28:45 AGAIN.

28:45 Bouncer to Scholl.

28:47 He goes between the legs. The Party

28:48 Animals have won the first

28:50 ever Banana Ball Tour Championship.

29:03 >> [music]

29:06 >> His task is to hit a home run against

29:09 these goofy clowns.

29:11 It doesn't seem too fair. He's only 5

29:13 years old.

29:16 I turn my BACK AND IT'S ALREADY TWO

29:18 STRIKES. THIS ISN'T VERY FAIR. FANS, I

29:20 NEED YOU TO CHEER HIM ON. HE HE NEEDS

29:21 SOME HELP.

29:23 BO ENTERS THE SCENE

29:25 AND THE BALL GOES OFF his easy.

29:27 BUT HE DOES STEAL IT AND SECURES IT and

29:30 goes to place it on the tee.

29:32 Now it's a fair shot for Luke AND HE

29:34 HITS A FOUL BALL.

29:36 FOUL BALL, FOUL BALL, LUKE. FOUL BALL.

29:45 It looks like it was A FAIR BALL AND

29:46 HE'S GOING TO FIRST BASE.

29:50 HE'S ROUNDING SECOND.

29:53 LUKE MAKES UP HIS OWN RULES. IT WAS FAIR

29:54 IN HIS BOOK.

29:56 HE'S GOING TO THIRD.

29:59 THE CLOWN STILL CAN'T GET A HOLD OF IT.

30:01 >> [cheering]

30:03 >> THE PLAY COMES OVER TO THE PLATE.

30:06 LUKE'S GOING TO BE SAFE! [cheering]

30:11 FANS, WE'RE GOING TO DO THE FIREFIGHTER

30:12 SIGNATURE CHOP. HERE WE GO.

30:16 >> [screaming]

30:18 >> CHOP!

30:22 LUKE IS DAFFY LUKE CHAOS FANS, one of

30:24 the greatest home run hitters we've had.

30:26 Give it UP ONE MORE TIME FOR THE HERO

30:28 HITTER OF THE NIGHT, MR. LUKE.

30:31 On the first base side, here's the Fire

30:34 Marshall. Greenville, South Carolina,

30:39 the cast is ready. The players are

30:43 ready, but it's now time for you, the

30:46 fans, to get ready. So, everybody, ON

30:50 YOUR FEET.

30:54 NOW, with everybody on your feet, please

30:57 help me welcome 6-year-old Sophie as our

31:02 fan warm-up.

31:07 All righty, Sophie. So, here is what's

31:10 going to happen now. Whatever dance

31:12 moves you do, everybody in this sold-out

31:16 capacity crowd will have to do as well.

31:19 So, are you ready? Yeah!

31:23 You heard her.

31:28 All right, she's clapping her hands,

31:30 y'all.

31:34 Wait, is she bringing the disco to

31:36 Greenville?

31:40 She's spinning.

31:42 Get everybody spinning.

31:46 Rolling.

31:51 This girl's got some moves.

31:57 Greenville, give it up for 6-year-old

32:01 Sophie!

32:04 >> [cheering]

32:18 >> Ladies, gentlemen, boys and girls, hot

32:21 shots and smoke shows from around the

32:24 world. Today, you and thousands of your

32:27 friends here live, and millions more

32:30 watching at home, have gathered to

32:32 witness something beyond your wildest

32:34 imagination.

32:35 From sparks to sirens, from the station

32:39 to the stadium, firefighters from across

32:42 the globe have COME TOGETHER TO WITNESS

32:45 THIS.

32:46 This is not baseball. This is the

32:49 crucible, where the toughest, hottest,

32:52 and most entertaining players are

32:54 forged. This is a game of the fans, by

32:57 the fans, and for the fans. But, this is

33:00 not your granddad's pastime, and no,

33:03 this is not any other night at the

33:04 firehouse. This game is baseball by

33:07 birth, fruit by name, and an absolute

33:10 worldwide phenomenon by the grace of

33:13 God. But, make no mistake. When the heat

33:16 gets too intense, we don't cool off. We

33:19 run TOWARDS THE FLAMES. SO, THIS is a

33:22 time for all 5,500 people in attendance

33:25 TO GET ON YOUR FEET AND GIVE ME YOUR

33:30 VOICES!

33:33 Because this is the hottest show in

33:36 sports. Ladies and gentlemen, THIS IS

33:39 BANANA

33:41 BALL!

33:42 >> [screaming]

33:44 >> AND NOW, THE starting lineup for your

33:48 Firefighters.

33:50 Leading off at second base, number 55,

33:55 Tyner

34:00 Batting second, the designated hitter,

34:03 number three, Dalton Cornett.

34:09 In the three hole, manning the hot

34:12 corner, number 11, Logan "Showtime"

34:16 Lacy.

34:21 Batting cleanup, behind the plate,

34:24 number four, Eric Jones.

34:30 In the five hole, the extra hitter,

34:33 number zero, Lamar Sparks.

34:41 Batting sixth, the hot shot at

34:44 shortstop, number two, Kayden "Peanut"

34:48 Green.

34:53 In the seven slot, ranging center field,

34:56 number 30, Armando Vescera.

35:00 >> [groaning and screaming]

35:04 >> In the eight hole, at first base, number

35:07 seven,

35:08 Mason Maxwell.

35:12 >> [cheering]

35:14 >> Batting ninth, ranging right field,

35:17 number eight, Sal

35:19 "Smoke" Trimble.

35:25 In the decky, ranging left field, number

35:28 nine, Noah Bridges.

35:34 The fireballer on the mound

35:36 >> hot. That was sweet.

35:38 The Firefighters one through 10 on the

35:41 field as is that Batman, Jared

35:44 Donaldson.

35:45 We're about set for the rubber match

35:47 here in South Carolina. The Fire and

35:51 Flames meeting the Circus one more time

35:54 for game three in the Palmetto State.

35:56 Before we get there, though, let's send

35:58 it on down for the national anthem.

36:02 Ladies and gentlemen, at this time, we

36:04 ask all those who are able to, please

36:05 rise. Uncover your heads and turn

36:08 towards the flag with your right hand

36:10 over your heart for today's performance

36:12 of our national anthem.

36:14 Performing this evening, please welcome

36:16 Naila Kempton with her rendition of the

36:19 Star-Spangled Banner.

36:31 >> [singing]

36:40 [singing]

36:49 [singing]

36:57 [singing]

37:03 [singing]

37:10 [singing]

37:17 [singing]

37:25 [singing]

37:33 [singing]

37:43 [singing]

37:59 [singing]

38:05 [cheering]

38:08 >> Thank you very much.

38:11 That

38:13 was impressive.

38:15 Naila Kempton.

38:18 Let it sing.

38:20 As the Firefighters fire it up, Naila

38:23 just fired us up. That was incredible.

38:27 Here in Fluor Field, there are literal

38:29 fire and flames shooting out of the

38:31 ground

38:32 here in Greenville. The grounds crew

38:34 here has done quite the job of getting

38:36 this field back to a dry condition. If

38:38 you saw it last night, with all the rain

38:41 that we had, boy, it was

38:43 anything but playable.

38:45 But, over the last five hours, man, that

38:46 grounds crew, and maybe even more than

38:48 that, they have done a tremendous job,

38:50 yeoman's work,

38:51 of getting this ground, this field, the

38:54 dirt ready to play. A shout-out to

38:56 everybody that stuck with us last night,

38:57 whether you were in TV land, or you were

38:59 here with us in Greenville. You are the

39:02 reason Banana Ball moves. And the great

39:04 people here working the stadium that

39:05 made the decisions, they did the best

39:07 they could, and we give them a shout-out

39:09 as well. Let's look at the defense for

39:10 the Firefighters. Kayden "Peanut" Green,

39:12 21 trick plays, he's the first

39:14 Firefighter to 20 on the season. Tyner

39:17 Hughes at 19, just one away as well.

39:18 Eric Jones Jr. is at the catcher spot to

39:21 catch Jared Donaldson. Sal Trimble is in

39:23 [music] right field. He could be your

39:25 designated fielder. He's also your right

39:26 fielder in the lineup, so they can move

39:28 him anywhere they'd like to. Mason

39:30 Maxwell is over at first base, again,

39:32 moving over to first base full-time. To

39:34 already have 12 trick plays is quite the

39:36 doozy for Double M. Armando Vescera,

39:40 Noah Bridges taking his rightful spot

39:42 back [music] in left field. Lamar Sparks

39:44 will move back to a designated hitting

39:46 position here for the Fire and Flames.

39:49 Now the guy in the middle of that only

39:51 has one trick play, but he's got a heck

39:53 of a lot more strikeouts than that.

39:55 Jared Donaldson.

39:58 Say that name again, folks. Jared

40:00 Donaldson. What it must feel like to

40:02 celebrate Donnie Day. You get to

40:03 celebrate that here with us. 16 Ks on

40:06 the world tour for the Fire and Flames.

40:08 His debut here in the red. 17 and 2/3

40:11 innings. He is absolutely moved and

40:13 grooved whenever the Firefighters have

40:15 needed him to. Who can forget what he

40:17 did in Scottsdale, Arizona on 60 hours

40:20 of no sleep coming in against the Texas

40:22 Tailgaters. Three innings, five

40:24 strikeouts and a win. If he brings that

40:26 kind of energy tonight, the Indianapolis

40:28 Clowns could be in some trouble. How

40:30 about that Clowns lineup? Eric Fox

40:32 having to do a little moving and shaking

40:34 here today because of some injuries.

40:35 Kenzo Lighten will not be in the lineup

40:37 tonight.

40:39 Brian Dancer though is back in there as

40:41 a designated hitter.

40:43 Joe Gray Jr. If he can continue his hot

40:46 swing from the last couple of nights,

40:47 boy, that is a dangerous lead off guy.

40:49 And then the World Series champion

40:51 Jackie Bradley Jr. 423

40:54 on the average, but 22 hits is the best

40:57 in the Banana Ball Championship League.

40:59 Let's go down to Kazee AND RING THE BELL

41:02 and start the fire.

41:04 >> Number 21, Jared Donaldson.

41:11 >> [cheering]

41:12 >> Down on the first base side, here's Kaz.

41:16 Greenville, South Carolina, I think you

41:17 have waited long enough. It's about time

41:20 we start the 2-hour Banana Ball time

41:23 limit, but I can't do it alone. Please

41:25 help me welcome 5-year-old Rossy.

41:31 I want you to stand right here and face

41:33 this beautiful crowd. All right, Rossy,

41:36 on the count of three, myself and 5,500

41:39 people in attendance are going to yell

41:41 "Ring the bell." And when they do,

41:43 you're going to do just that.

41:45 Greenville, 1 2 3, ring the bell.

41:54 Showtime.

41:56 She did that with both hands over the

41:59 head. Absolutely

42:00 rocks the bell.

42:02 >> Joe Gray Jr. Let's roll here in

42:04 Greenville.

42:05 Let's play a rubber match up between the

42:06 Clowns

42:08 and the Firefighters. First up is Joe

42:10 Gray Jr.

42:12 He has been grooving this weekend. 714

42:15 average.

42:16 Going up against Jared Donaldson. Pitch

42:18 one, swung at and missed. And that

42:19 splitter can be oh so nasty.

42:23 When it is on, it's tough not to swing

42:26 as that one goes into the dirt.

42:35 Donnie wanting that one, not there. He

42:37 has been excited to go on a Sunday

42:39 start.

42:40 Loves these day games. Says it really

42:41 doesn't give him a ton of chance to sit

42:42 around and think about the start as that

42:44 one touched the outside part of the

42:46 black. He can just get in there, get

42:48 what work he needs to get done with our

42:50 trainer Sydney Neighbors, get his mind

42:51 right, and get rolling. 2-2.

42:54 Joe Gray fouls it. And he stays alive.

42:58 Joe, by the way, told Michael Schwartz a

43:00 pretty interesting story.

43:02 He and Brian Trappani actually played

43:04 each other when they were just teenagers

43:06 in a World Series.

43:09 So a little familiarity here as that one

43:11 sails high.

43:12 And the first count of the game goes up

43:14 to 3-2.

43:17 Joe has gotten on base

43:19 each of his first plate appearances this

43:21 weekend. And he'll do it again. That one

43:23 bounces away from EJ.

43:26 So the ball four sprint defense, all

43:28 seven fielders behind the pitcher has

43:29 got to touch the banana ball before they

43:31 can potentially tag out the runner. And

43:33 Joe Gray easily gets to second base. So

43:35 for the third straight day, the lead off

43:37 hitter Joe Gray is aboard in the first

43:40 inning.

43:46 >> [cheering]

43:53 [applause]

43:54 >> The hat's being tipped

43:57 to JBJ, former member of the Greenville

43:59 Drive. Comes back home.

44:04 This is a monumental couple of weekends

44:07 for JBJ in a row. Comes back to South

44:09 Carolina where played for the Gamecocks

44:11 and four games with the Greenville

44:13 Drive. He just shots that one over to

44:15 Willie Carter at first base.

44:17 And the next week he returns to his

44:18 hometown of Richmond, Virginia.

44:21 He was born and bred in this sport.

44:24 It's a line up. Tanner Hughes. OH, HE

44:25 BLOCKED IT. Then he can't catch up to

44:27 it. It'll go down as a single for JBJ

44:31 and two aboard with nobody away. Runners

44:33 on the corners.

44:38 This is a sign of just how hot Clowns

44:40 have been hitting

44:41 here in 2026.

44:44 Immediately putting pressure on the Fire

44:46 and Flames again in the first inning.

44:50 Friday night they put three up in the

44:52 first frame. Saturday night put three up

44:54 in the first frame and now nobody away

44:56 as Donnie fires in one for a 2-0 count.

45:00 Bobby La Day comes in.

45:02 Impressive rookie

45:04 at shortstop.

45:06 First pick in the second round for the

45:08 Indianapolis Clowns. Struck out stayed

45:10 out with a couple of strikeouts

45:12 yesterday before getting hit by a pitch.

45:14 Donnie really would like a K here.

45:20 Andrew Gerard holds up the 3-1.

45:23 Ball four sprint potentially on the

45:25 table. If it does get there, Joe Gray's

45:27 coming home easy.

45:29 That one broke right into left field of

45:31 a base knock. JBJ will move from fire

45:34 station to fire station. It's actually

45:36 kind of close, but Joe Gray Jr. does

45:37 score. Runners on first and second and

45:39 will go down as an RBI single and the

45:42 Clowns get to dance in early.

46:11 >> [music]

46:20 [music]

46:27 [music]

46:36 [music]

46:42 [music]

46:43 >> We've stopped the Banana Ball to dance

46:45 to some Shakira.

46:47 And why wouldn't you do that?

46:49 If you don't dance when Shakira comes

46:50 in, I don't know if you're human or if

46:52 you have a heartbeat.

46:57 Dale Francis Jr. comes in as Donnie

47:00 trying to labor through a tough first

47:02 inning. Still two runners on with nobody

47:03 away as that one gets the outside part

47:05 for a strike.

47:10 This is three straight games now where

47:11 the Clowns have jumped on it

47:14 in the first frame.

47:17 Saw Bradford Webb work into his best

47:19 stuff as the game went on on Friday

47:20 night. Austin Temple threw a month soon.

47:23 Really had a difficult time controlling.

47:26 One of his toughest ones is boy, Andrew

47:28 Gerard has called that a strike a couple

47:30 different times.

47:31 Donnie doesn't like that one being

47:33 called a ball.

47:35 But we're playing on. 2-2 count. Let's

47:37 try this dance again.

47:45 So another full count.

47:48 Donnie got to find the strike zone here.

47:52 And it's foul. We can try this one over

47:54 again.

47:58 One thing that the Firefighters have

48:00 really had to deal with, high pitch

48:01 counts. Yesterday threw 212

48:05 pitches according to our statistician

48:06 Blake O'Hara. Logan Lacey just sends it

48:09 over the old fashioned way to Mason

48:10 Maxwell. And one retired as Peanut Lacey

48:13 tagged [music] him and nearly in time.

48:14 JBJ moves up to third and Bobby La Day

48:17 up to second.

48:20 And now maybe the most dangerous first

48:22 round, excuse me, first inning hitter

48:25 is Nico Hoerner.

48:28 Friday, two-run bomb

48:31 over the monster. Saturday, two-run bomb

48:33 over the monster and they were both in

48:34 the first inning.

48:36 Sure the Firefighters have his name

48:38 circled many times.

48:41 Got that open jersey a la Dan Oberst.

48:53 The 1-1.

48:54 Little high.

48:56 Wind beginning to pick up, but it is a

48:57 much better day today. Few clouds in the

49:00 sky, but no rain threat in sight.

49:04 Nico, he wanted that third homer of the

49:06 weekend.

49:07 It won't happen now.

49:10 Fouled off 2-2 [music] count.

49:14 Great crowd on hand here.

49:16 And that's a big swing and miss.

49:19 Beautiful slider there from Jared

49:21 Donaldson. Breaks away from that

49:22 splitter.

49:24 And there are two retired.

49:26 Boy, if they can limit the damage to

49:28 one, that could be massive.

49:30 It's a great pitch and Nico Hoerner even

49:32 sets himself. Look at the nod of

49:33 acknowledgement there. Good pitch.

49:40 Chris Burgess

49:42 steps on in. Can he continue the damage?

49:50 >> [music]

49:50 >> Quickly in an 0-2 count, Donnie all of a

49:52 sudden seemingly finding the groove a

49:55 little bit.

49:59 >> [music]

50:02 >> The 0-2

50:03 knocked up into center field, Armando

50:05 Becerra

50:07 got a beat on that one, and he'll bring

50:08 it in the old-fashioned way. So, no

50:10 trick plays, but two runners stranded

50:12 for the Firefighters, excuse me, for the

50:13 Clowns.

50:14 And the Firefighters just need one run

50:16 in the bottom of the frame to negate the

50:18 inning and two to win it.

50:21 We take a look back at the replay here.

50:23 Bobby LaDay, good piece of lumber. Joe

50:25 Gray Jr. coming on in to score as his

50:27 productive

50:29 week continues.

50:32 The defense for the Indianapolis Clowns

50:35 is led by that man who just had the

50:37 first RBI of the game in Bobby LaDay, 21

50:40 trick plays in his young Banana Ball

50:42 career. Again, this is just under 15

50:45 games for him

50:46 in Banana Ball, but he's been

50:48 unbelievable.

50:49 You look at this lineup and it hosts

50:52 nine rookies. Chris Burgess, Eli Peyton,

50:55 JV

50:57 Bobby LaDay, KB, Holsizer, JBJ, Joe Gray

51:00 Jr. All of them rookies in Banana Ball

51:02 this year. So, can the Firefighters test

51:04 them out a little bit? Obviously, JBJ,

51:06 we know he's no rookie to the sport, but

51:08 all these guys first years in Banana

51:10 Ball. Can the Firefighters put a little

51:12 pressure on that defense? We'll see what

51:14 happens. Nick Wilson

51:16 coming on in to make the start here

51:18 for the Indianapolis Clowns, his second

51:21 on the world tour.

51:23 He made a start in the Banana Ball open

51:24 as well. Really good numbers for a

51:26 first-year rookie. Not a ton of innings

51:29 pitched, but boy, those innings have

51:30 been productive with 10 strikeouts to

51:32 eight hits. Not a lot of free passes,

51:34 though. Just two ball four sprints.

51:38 Two 25 ERA as Nick Wilson is pitching in

51:42 front of the world's absolute slowest

51:44 race going on.

51:45 There are a lot of Dalmatians out there

51:48 who have not moved a muscle

51:50 EXCEPT FOR ONE WHO'S AT THE START FINISH

51:52 LINE.

51:53 And that puppy

51:55 wins it.

51:59 Chief would be proud. Very proud.

52:04 Nick Wilson not once distracted, by the

52:06 way. Let's take a look at the

52:07 Firefighter lineup here. Tyner Hughes

52:10 will lead us off.

52:11 Dalton Cornett in the two hole. Logan

52:13 Lacey in that [music] three spot. He has

52:15 been excellent on Sunday affairs. Maybe

52:17 touch on that here in a little bit. EJ

52:19 rarely retired over the last couple of

52:21 weekends.

52:22 Tiny right off the rip pops that one

52:25 [music] into the sun. Nico, Bobby,

52:27 little miscommunication. DOES SOMEONE

52:29 HAVE IT? HOLSIZER, THEY COLLIDED!

52:32 GOING FOR THE TIP drill and it will go

52:35 down as a missed trick play.

52:38 Hope everyone's all right down there.

52:39 Look at this.

52:42 Holsizer going for the temp and Bobby

52:43 LaDay right there, they couldn't find it

52:45 in the sun. And now the inning-winning

52:47 point is standing in the batter's box.

52:53 Dalton Cornett, the hero of night one.

52:56 An 0-fer last night, 0-for-4.

53:01 He really get those ghosts out of his

53:02 head quick, fast, and in a hurry. Man,

53:03 he has been one of the best hitters in

53:05 the sport over the last month. Popped up

53:08 over to third base, KB couldn't find it.

53:10 You can see the environment played

53:12 an issue last night. Already the sun

53:14 blinding Kirkland Banks looking up

53:16 towards the stars.

53:18 And by the stars, I mean the biggest one

53:20 in our galaxy.

53:21 I think, right? I think the sun's the

53:23 biggest star in our galaxy. Not the

53:25 universe, of course, but

53:27 someone will have to correct me on that.

53:28 If you know astrology, let me know.

53:30 If you know an astronaut, let me know.

53:33 The 1-1.

53:36 DC3 stays alive. Got the Golden Name B

53:40 on Friday night.

53:42 Put a charge in the one to JBJ in center

53:45 field.

53:46 It was recorded for an out, but a couple

53:47 of batters later steps right back in and

53:49 that Golden Name B appearance really

53:51 [cheering] helped him.

53:52 And he scoots that one into RIGHT FIELD.

53:54 WILL IT STAY THERE? YOU BET IT WILL.

53:56 TYNER HUGHES IS EASILY GOING TO COME

53:58 HOME to score. Dalton Cornett

54:00 standing in with a double.

54:02 And the Firefighters have tied the

54:04 Indian

54:05 with one swing.

54:09 And that goes to show just how important

54:11 that missed trick play ended up

54:13 becoming.

54:14 Now a runner, nobody out. D'Jounesta

54:17 trying to get all the gear from DC3.

54:20 Who's at second base?

54:22 Showtime.

54:23 The first Banana Baller to conquer

54:26 Fenway Park's monster

54:28 would love to conquer it here in

54:29 Greenville as well.

54:31 Boy, puts a charge into that one, but

54:33 Kirkland Banks gets it. BALL GETS AWAY

54:35 FROM JAYLEN VASQUEZ AND DC3 trying to

54:38 scoot on over to third and he will do

54:40 just that.

54:42 So, the lineup actually turns out to be

54:44 a little bit productive for Logan Lacey.

54:50 And now Mr. Jones and me sit around and

54:52 tell each other fairy tales. He [music]

54:54 could write a very real comeback story

54:56 here in the first frame. That one popped

54:58 up into right field. That might be deep

55:00 enough to score DC3 from third. Joe Gray

55:03 throwing for all he's worth. IT'S OFF

55:05 TARGET AND THE FIREFIGHTERS WIN THE

55:07 INNING 2-1. EJ, A SAC FLY.

55:12 South Trimble and Mason Maxwell

55:14 are at home plate with Bo the Beaver and

55:17 a host of other Firefighters. Oh, we're

55:18 pushing up.

55:20 Oh, Bo's about to get a pump.

55:22 Let's stay with it right here for a

55:23 minute. Bo the Beaver.

55:25 What you got?

55:37 Get it, Bo.

55:39 YOU GET IT, BO.

55:42 YES. YES. YES. YES.

55:48 You can't beat that flip. And you can't

55:50 beat that swing from Eric Jones Jr.

55:52 Another RBI. Hanging on top of the

55:54 monster.

55:56 Is that Michael Schwartz?

55:58 Hey guys, well, we are with the fans

56:00 here on the Green Monster. They're going

56:02 nuts here because we are taking this

56:04 game to new heights. Look, this is

56:06 [cheering] 7 ft shorter than the actual

56:09 Green Monster in Boston. Yeah, look,

56:12 just to tell you, these fans have been

56:14 resilient in Greenville, South Carolina.

56:16 They were here during the rain last

56:18 night. This is a

56:19 >> [cheering]

56:19 >> picture-perfect day. They sat through

56:21 the rain and now kids of all ages, they

56:24 are pumped for this game today. I spoke

56:26 to the grounds crew, they had to put a

56:27 lot of dirt on this field since 6:00

56:30 7:00 a.m. this morning just to get it in

56:33 time and ready for game day play.

56:36 Speaking of the Green Monster, I was

56:37 talking to JBJ. He told me that this

56:39 could be strategic for pitchers hanging

56:41 it over the plate or inside, letting

56:43 them go after. Hey, you want to

56:44 challenge the Green Monster? Go right

56:46 ahead FOR IT. NOAH! LET'S WAVE TO NOAH.

56:48 NOAH! NOAH!

56:51 NOAH!

56:52 HE SAW YOU. [cheering] HE TURNED AROUND.

56:54 >> HE GOT ME!

56:55 He did get you. Michael Schwartz, thank

56:57 you very much. Also,

56:59 y'all hear what Tiny said they were

57:00 putting the dirt on?

57:02 6:00 7:00

57:03 >> [cheering]

57:06 >> Cool.

57:07 I love it.

57:10 Let's start here the second inning with

57:11 Eli Peyton who had a big homer LAST

57:14 NIGHT. WHAT A PLAY FROM MASON MAXWELL AT

57:16 FIRST FOR THE FIRST TRICK play of the

57:19 game.

57:21 Sicko stuff there from Double M.

57:26 Look at the replay here. Boy, that's a

57:28 tipsy doodle and a half.

57:30 But the first trick play of the game

57:31 goes the way of the Firefighters. They

57:33 have denied the equalizer point on Bobby

57:35 LaDays. Didn't play much of a factor

57:36 last night.

57:38 But boy, he did in game one. Peanut

57:40 between the legs over to first and

57:42 that's two in a row.

57:45 Time and motion.

57:48 Peanut with his 22nd trick play in this

57:51 young 2026 world tour.

57:54 And look at this, a special entrance

57:57 for Jaylen Vasquez.

57:59 Played some college baseball here at

58:01 North Greenville University after a

58:03 couple of seasons at South Carolina.

58:07 Welcome back home for the young man

58:09 [music]

58:10 who scores at second base

58:13 for the Clowns. Jonathan Jonathan gets

58:15 on his horse. It's going to be a very

58:16 quick inning.

58:19 Touch the outside part of the black.

58:29 Two out quickly with a couple of trick

58:31 plays for the Firefighters.

58:40 2-1. Good eye from JV.

58:43 Donnie flirting with a ball four sprint.

58:50 Big swing and a miss on that one.

58:52 And the count works full. Payoff pitch

58:54 coming.

59:05 Roped over. Mason going between the

59:07 legs. DONNIE ON HIS HORSE. HE'S OUT!

59:14 1 minute AND 44 SECONDS ON THE CLOCK FOR

59:17 DONNIE.

59:21 POINT TO THE WATCHES AT HOME. Look at

59:23 this.

59:24 And he did just barely beat it.

59:26 And that is another trick play for Mason

59:28 Maxwell. Already two in the frame and 1

59:32 minute 44 seconds for Tony. Believe

59:35 that's just fast just inning of the

59:37 world tour.

59:39 Firefighters have broken out their

59:41 Sunday best here

59:43 in 2026. Especially over the last four

59:45 Sundays, they are 4-0 in their last four

59:48 games on the Sabbath. But look at what

59:50 these guys do. Dalton Cornett, nine for

59:52 20 when we play on the Lord's day. Logan

59:54 Lacey, seven for 17. And Peanut, the

59:56 hottest hitter in the league, six for

59:58 15. All of them have a home run and a

1:00:01 bunch of RBIs to their name. You look at

1:00:03 what the team has done. 316 average.

1:00:06 Ironic? Maybe. On the Sunday. 414 OBP.

1:00:11 50 runs.

1:00:13 >> [cheering]

1:00:13 >> Incredible stuff on Sundays and it might

1:00:16 just be a little bit more here

1:00:18 for the Firefighters as Nick Wilson goes

1:00:20 out for his second inning of work.

1:00:22 Mikey Spandex is firing us up

1:00:24 on the dugout.

1:00:40 We're singing SpongeBob SquarePants as

1:00:41 Lamar Sparks

1:00:43 comes on in.

1:00:53 Lamar, boy, that's a

1:00:54 That's a heck of a frame job for Chris

1:00:56 Purchase.

1:00:57 Lamar didn't like it, doesn't [music]

1:00:58 matter.

1:01:00 Going up against his fellow rookie.

1:01:02 Lamar, a fourth round draft pick for the

1:01:04 Fire and Flames

1:01:06 in the 2026 Banana Ball Player Draft.

1:01:08 Already a couple homers to his name.

1:01:11 333 average. He has been absolutely

1:01:14 tremendous

1:01:16 in his first 14 games

1:01:19 here in Banana Ball.

1:01:21 >> [cheering]

1:01:21 >> Got a great story as well.

1:01:23 His father, Pat, got to come see his son

1:01:25 play for the first time in Banana Ball

1:01:27 last weekend in person when we were at

1:01:29 Grayson Stadium.

1:01:31 Said it was an awesome time.

1:01:33 Pat and his wife, Jenna, adopted Lamar.

1:01:36 >> [music]

1:01:37 >> And they have been great parents

1:01:40 for him. Can't wait to go visit them in

1:01:42 Texas here in a couple of weeks' time.

1:01:44 Lamar stays alive with a lightning quick

1:01:46 foul ball.

1:01:48 He's also got a younger sister, Jency,

1:01:50 who is adopted.

1:01:52 She battles cerebral palsy and she Lamar

1:01:54 says that she is his rock.

1:01:58 His biggest fan

1:01:59 >> [cheering]

1:01:59 >> and you know he is her biggest fan as

1:02:01 well. Full count.

1:02:04 AND A SWING AND A MISS.

1:02:07 SO A STRIKEOUT, THE FIRST OF the game

1:02:10 for Nick Wilson.

1:02:15 And now after a one-game break at the

1:02:16 top of the average department, the best

1:02:18 average in the sport comes on in. Caden

1:02:21 [music] Peanut Green.

1:02:23 Nine games in a row he has had at least

1:02:25 one base knock.

1:02:27 In layman's terms, it's a nine-game hit

1:02:28 streak.

1:02:31 Big-time swing from Peanut.

1:02:34 Last night went three for four, but that

1:02:36 one was a strikeout to end the game. You

1:02:38 know he wants to make up for that one.

1:02:41 Peanut's been so good this year at not

1:02:43 doing too much with it. Just getting

1:02:45 barrel on ball and letting it take from

1:02:47 there.

1:02:48 He does have a home run. Of course he

1:02:50 saw that in his Sunday best. And a nice

1:02:52 keen eye there. Works it to a 3-1 count.

1:02:55 Ball four sprint would do just fine.

1:02:59 Maybe this will as well. Blooped up

1:03:01 CENTER FIELD. JB J IS THERE. He moves so

1:03:04 effortlessly in center field.

1:03:07 And now the Firefighter of the Day.

1:03:19 Harris.

1:03:21 >> [cheering]

1:03:23 >> Driven by a passion for public service,

1:03:26 Jimmy has proudly served your community

1:03:28 at the Greenville City Fire Department

1:03:31 for 45 years.

1:03:33 >> [cheering]

1:03:35 >> Fans, please make some noise for our

1:03:38 Firefighter of the Day, Lieutenant Jimmy

1:03:41 Harris.

1:03:43 >> [cheering]

1:03:46 >> Jimmy Harris, decades of service to this

1:03:49 great community. Four and a half decades

1:03:52 to be exact. 45 years. A salute to you,

1:03:55 Lieutenant Jimmy Harris.

1:03:57 And he walks [music] up Armando Bessada

1:03:59 to the plate.

1:04:02 The Sheriff Fire center fielder

1:04:05 coming in and sends one to the seats

1:04:07 immediately. Last night we saw a fan

1:04:08 caught foul ball off the bat of Eric

1:04:10 Jones Jr.

1:04:12 But the Firefighters would like to

1:04:14 make sure that doesn't happen again as

1:04:16 he stares at one on the outside.

1:04:24 Armando didn't like it, but that is a

1:04:25 strike and quickly it's a 1-2 count.

1:04:31 Nor Armando.

1:04:34 He keeps a very calm presence as that

1:04:37 ball rolls underneath the fire launcher.

1:04:38 He thought for a moment about stealing

1:04:39 first, doesn't do it.

1:04:47 The former party animal drafted in the

1:04:49 third round of the Banana Ball Player

1:04:50 Draft. He looks at that one high and

1:04:52 again it's a full count.

1:04:58 And that is a ball four sprint.

1:05:01 Bounces in front of Bobby La Day. If

1:05:02 Armando gets his wheels going, he can

1:05:04 get to two. And he's going to try it.

1:05:05 And you know what? He's going to get

1:05:06 there.

1:05:08 So another two-base ball four sprint for

1:05:09 a guy who just seems to be drawn up game

1:05:12 after game. That is his eighth ball four

1:05:14 sprint here [music] in 2026 and that's

1:05:16 not counting the two that he had in the

1:05:18 Banana Ball Open. Only hitting 152

1:05:21 coming into today, but a 310 OBP. It

1:05:24 shows you just how powerful

1:05:26 he can be with a patient approach.

1:05:32 So Mason Maxwell can win a point with

1:05:33 one swing of the bat. And he tried to

1:05:35 there.

1:05:38 The first baseman coming on in.

1:05:44 Fights that one into left field and it

1:05:47 will land on top of Rhedi's clubhouse

1:05:49 for a foul ball.

1:05:51 Mason, the 11th round pick for the

1:05:52 Firefighters [music] coming back for his

1:05:54 second year of work with the team. 333

1:05:56 average.

1:05:58 Think everybody's been super excited for

1:06:00 him and the growth he's had in the sport

1:06:02 this year.

1:06:03 Especially making the full-time switch

1:06:05 over to first base. Played a lot in the

1:06:07 outfield last year because it was what

1:06:08 the team needed.

1:06:10 They need him

1:06:11 to put one into the outfield here. If he

1:06:12 does, Armando Bessada is coming [music]

1:06:14 home.

1:06:15 A 1-2 count.

1:06:17 Had the game-winning hit against the

1:06:19 Texas Tailgaters in game two in

1:06:20 Scottsdale.

1:06:21 Can he find it here?

1:06:23 Wilson trying to get him to chase him up

1:06:24 much.

1:06:29 35th pitch of the game coming for

1:06:30 Wilson. Mason again fighting that one

1:06:33 out

1:06:34 and foul.

1:06:37 Throw a bean.

1:06:43 Right back up, but that's way too high.

1:06:45 Bobby La Day tip drill over to Jaylen

1:06:48 Vasquez and you can call that one in for

1:06:50 the first trick play of the game

1:06:53 for the Indianapolis Clowns. And so

1:06:55 runners stranded at second and it's

1:06:57 still a one-nothing game. Joe Lidle

1:07:00 might not be playing, but he is trying

1:07:02 something incredible. And for more on

1:07:03 that, here's Michael Schwartz. Hey,

1:07:05 what's up, Zach? We'll tell you why

1:07:06 we're shoeless. Joe Lidle and I just But

1:07:09 first off, Joe, the knee had an issue

1:07:11 the first game. How you feeling? Uh I'm

1:07:13 actually feeling better today. Um I had

1:07:16 like a little pop in the middle of the

1:07:17 sixth inning.

1:07:18 Went back out for the seventh. Probably

1:07:20 shouldn't have done that.

1:07:21 It's feeling better. Going to see Doc

1:07:22 Tuesday. Hopefully it'll be only a

1:07:25 little bit. Folks, I don't know if you

1:07:26 know this. We're attempting history

1:07:28 right now. Well, Joe is. You are going

1:07:30 for the perfect sit. You were here

1:07:32 through the entire game in the rain with

1:07:34 an umbrella hat watching your team.

1:07:36 Explain the perfect sit. So the

1:07:41 perfect sit is you have to stay in your

1:07:44 chair from the start of the game to the

1:07:47 very last out of the game. So last night

1:07:50 it was only a seven-inning game. So I

1:07:52 just don't think we can count it. So

1:07:53 we're going for the full nine tonight.

1:07:56 Today. Sorry. The reason why we're

1:07:58 shoeless is this is where Shoeless Joe,

1:08:00 Joe Jackson, got the nickname Shoeless

1:08:03 Joe. The museum's right across the

1:08:04 street. His statue right outside the

1:08:06 left field gates. A lot of history here

1:08:09 playing in Greenville, South Carolina.

1:08:11 And you were named after Shoeless Joe.

1:08:14 Yes, I was. Joe Jackson Lidle. Also

1:08:17 named after my two right? Joseph and

1:08:20 Jack. Roy Jack. That's awesome. The

1:08:22 perfect sit. Shoes, we're letting the

1:08:24 dogs go loose. You got to blur this out.

1:08:26 Blur this out. Dogs are out.

1:08:28 Put something over that, please. Can we

1:08:30 get a censor, Zach, on this? Can you

1:08:31 call up a censor on these bad boys?

1:08:33 Yeah, you got to keep those things

1:08:34 exclusive.

1:08:35 >> have fun tonight. We're fighting hard.

1:08:37 It's going to be a great game.

1:08:39 Wiggle. Wiggle the toes. Thanks, Joe,

1:08:41 for the pep talk there.

1:08:44 Keep those puppies exclusive, by the

1:08:46 way.

1:08:47 Need people to pay good money for them

1:08:48 feet.

1:09:00 I don't even know how to respond to the

1:09:02 to the feet shots there, but uh

1:09:04 we hope that Joe Lidle can actually

1:09:07 complete this perfect sit.

1:09:09 And do hope he can also get back quick

1:09:11 fast in a hurry. The 2-0 count quickly

1:09:13 to Kirkland Banks

1:09:15 from Jared Donaldson.

1:09:20 Clean inning in the second frame, not

1:09:22 allowing a base runner.

1:09:25 Trying to fight against that here.

1:09:28 Kirkland Banks a big double in game one

1:09:30 and then that tremendous catch on the

1:09:32 tarp in game two.

1:09:35 Skies that one in the left field. Noah

1:09:36 Bridges a little bit of a late break,

1:09:38 but still there. Trick drill, you bet

1:09:40 it.

1:09:41 Call it in.

1:09:44 FOURTH TRICK PLAY OUT for the Fighters.

1:09:47 It's the first one for the outfield of

1:09:49 Noah Bridges.

1:09:50 Armando maybe trying to race in there

1:09:53 to get a double trick [music] play.

1:09:55 We'll just keep it at one for Noah.

1:09:58 Joe Gray Jr.

1:10:01 On the base path with the ball for

1:10:02 sprints. [music]

1:10:03 Logan Lacey behind the back OVER TO

1:10:06 FIRST. OH, IT'S TIME.

1:10:08 >> [screaming]

1:10:08 >> CALL IT IN.

1:10:13 That's why they call that beautiful man

1:10:16 Showtime.

1:10:18 Behind the back into the dirt and that's

1:10:21 an impressive grab with the glove for

1:10:23 Mason Maxwell.

1:10:26 Way inside on JBJ who earned his trip to

1:10:29 the bases with a single his first plate

1:10:31 appearance up today.

1:10:33 But Jared Donaldson after a little shaky

1:10:34 start, boy he looks much better here.

1:10:44 Boy, that one moved in and out. That's a

1:10:46 beautiful pitch

1:10:48 to make it a 2-1 count.

1:10:53 JBJ big back.

1:10:56 He does have a home run at Fluor Field

1:10:59 with the South Carolina Gamecocks. WHAT

1:11:01 DID JARED DONALDSON JUST DO?

1:11:05 OVER TO MASON.

1:11:07 JUST THROWS IT OVER TO JD and that will

1:11:09 go down AS THE THIRD OUT. WHAT A PITCH

1:11:12 FROM JARED DONALDSON.

1:11:14 PUSHING HIMSELF UP.

1:11:16 That was electric. Now let's go down to

1:11:19 the field with Casey Barker from Bananas

1:11:21 Foster.

1:11:23 Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to

1:11:24 the field from Bananas Foster, Casey

1:11:27 Barker.

1:11:30 Across the United States, there are over

1:11:32 400,000 children and teens in foster

1:11:35 care without a permanent home. To raise

1:11:38 awareness and support this community, we

1:11:40 created Bananas Foster, the official

1:11:42 non-profit of Banana Ball. Our

1:11:44 organization is dedicated to celebrating

1:11:46 those in the foster care community while

1:11:49 educating and inspiring others to get

1:11:51 involved. Today, we are celebrating the

1:11:54 Tallison family. Clint and Jean began

1:11:56 their foster care journey 4 years ago

1:11:59 when they welcomed in a bunch of

1:12:01 children.

1:12:03 Over the years, they have consistently

1:12:05 welcomed in children in the middle of

1:12:07 the night. They work to tell their story

1:12:10 and they keep children siblings

1:12:12 together.

1:12:13 In the last 4 years, they have welcomed

1:12:16 57 children and teens into their home.

1:12:20 Fans, please help us celebrate this

1:12:21 incredible family for making a

1:12:23 difference right here in your community.

1:12:42 A beautiful sight here at Fluor [music]

1:12:44 Field. Bananas Foster.

1:12:47 Tallison family

1:12:49 being celebrated by the clowns and the

1:12:50 firefighters. You want to help out

1:12:52 superhero families like them, just text

1:12:54 bunch to 50155 [music]

1:12:56 to help support Bananas Foster and so

1:12:58 many great foster families around this

1:13:00 country and our great communities like

1:13:02 we have here at Greenville, South

1:13:04 Carolina. A salute to Bananas Foster.

1:13:18 >> [music]

1:13:28 [music and singing]

1:13:34 [music]

1:13:43 [music]

1:13:48 >> And welcome to the April 26th

1:13:51 Firefighter Lineup Draft here at Fluor

1:13:54 Field, a tradition unlike any other. And

1:13:57 there's a lot of consternation as to

1:13:59 what Val Perez will do with the top of

1:14:01 the lineup here at Fluor Field. Does she

1:14:03 go with a surprise like Garrett DeClue

1:14:06 taking off the show CALLER LINEUP? LET'S

1:14:08 FIND OUT.

1:14:14 WITH the first at bat of the third

1:14:16 inning, the Firefighters select

1:14:19 South Trimble, George Mason University.

1:14:23 Okay.

1:14:25 So the magic man

1:14:28 pulls out one of his best tricks in

1:14:30 Banana Ball. He is the first selection

1:14:34 of the third inning in the April 26th

1:14:37 Firefighter Lineup Draft. The man out of

1:14:41 George Mason University

1:14:44 got his doctorate at Magic School U

1:14:48 and now goes up with the distinct honor

1:14:51 of being the first pick of the third

1:14:53 inning

1:14:54 in the April 26th Firefighter Lineup

1:14:57 Draft.

1:14:58 I hope to hear from South a little later

1:15:00 on

1:15:01 on what an honor that was.

1:15:05 Into the heavens above.

1:15:10 I hope y'all liked, by the way, I put on

1:15:12 my Sunday best and tie here. I have lost

1:15:14 my pencil somewhere.

1:15:17 That one

1:15:19 sends foul to first and guess what? VAL

1:15:21 PEREZ WORKING QUICK ALREADY GOT HER

1:15:23 SECOND PICK OF THE lineup draft.

1:15:31 With the second at bat of the third

1:15:32 inning, the Firefighters select

1:15:35 Noah Bridges.

1:15:38 >> [cheering]

1:15:40 >> The dreamiest boy in Banana Land. A fan

1:15:43 franchisee.

1:15:47 A native of North Carolina but trained

1:15:50 in hey baby and yellow here in Banana

1:15:53 Ball gets the big hug from Val Perez

1:15:57 as the second pick

1:15:59 in the Firefighter Lineup Draft. What an

1:16:02 honor and distinction for a man who just

1:16:05 keeps getting more stuff. Where did my

1:16:08 pencil go?

1:16:11 South made it disappear.

1:16:18 Noah

1:16:19 almost into the fire launchers. I do

1:16:20 wonder, by the way, if a if a ball goes

1:16:23 into the fire launcher,

1:16:24 does that count?

1:16:28 Ooh, good frame job there from Chris

1:16:30 Burgess.

1:16:32 But it won't go.

1:16:33 So we'll play on with a 2-1 count.

1:16:37 Noah looks at one high. South Trimble

1:16:39 was hit [music] by a pitcher earlier,

1:16:40 that's why he's on first.

1:16:47 It's a ball for sprints and the

1:16:50 Firefighter Lineup Draft has proven to

1:16:52 be very productive as Noah sliding in

1:16:54 with a two base ball for sprint. I FOUND

1:16:56 MY PENCIL.

1:16:58 AND LOOK, another pick. Val Perez her

1:17:01 third of the inning. Let's find out

1:17:03 together.

1:17:09 With the third at bat of the third

1:17:11 inning, the Firefighters select Tyner

1:17:14 Hughes.

1:17:19 Tiny

1:17:20 gets the big call.

1:17:23 Riding on the back of Lamar Sparks,

1:17:25 Tyner Hughes

1:17:27 gets THE CALL TO JOIN the Firefighter

1:17:29 Lineup with the third pick of the third

1:17:32 inning.

1:17:33 10th round pick in the Banana Ball

1:17:35 Player Draft, but that [music] man has

1:17:37 rightfully earned it here.

1:17:42 On a nine game hit streak

1:17:44 Tyner Hughes. What a draft Val Perez is

1:17:47 putting together. She already did great

1:17:49 work in November's Banana Ball Player

1:17:51 Draft selecting the likes of Eric Jones

1:17:53 Jr., Jared Donaldson,

1:17:55 Armando Becerra.

1:17:57 Now, her first picks South Trimble, Noah

1:18:00 Bridges and Tyner Hughes

1:18:02 in the Firefighter Lineup Draft have

1:18:04 worked VERY WELL. LOOK OUT.

1:18:08 FOR THE SECOND GAME IN A ROW, a

1:18:10 Firefighter batter has lost their sword.

1:18:24 Get a grip on that one, Tiny.

1:18:30 Will we get another pick?

1:18:33 TINY, RIGHT BACK UP THE MIDDLE. THAT'LL

1:18:36 DO THE JOB AND THE Firefighter Lineup

1:18:38 Draft IS A BIG BOOM.

1:18:43 SECOND POINT OF THE game brought in by

1:18:46 Val Perez's three great picks. Is that a

1:18:48 bottle opener?

1:18:51 Is that Blake Morgan?

1:19:01 Sweet.

1:19:03 Let's get a little early swirly here.

1:19:06 Greenville, you were ever bullied in

1:19:08 high school, middle school, grade

1:19:10 school? This game is going to bring back

1:19:12 some memories. This one is called the

1:19:14 Burly Swirly. We have some Firefighter

1:19:17 fans [music] and some Clowns fans. They

1:19:18 are going to pick up their kids, run to

1:19:21 each bucket, dump their kids' head in

1:19:23 the bucket at each location, and drop

1:19:26 their kids off at the pool by home

1:19:28 plate. All right, pick up your kids. On

1:19:31 your mark, get set, go!

1:19:36 Who is going to win? Will it be the

1:19:38 Clowns fan? Will it be the Coconuts fan?

1:19:41 That's right.

1:19:43 Give that kid a swirly.

1:19:46 They're running to second base.

1:19:49 The Clowns fan has a little bit of a

1:19:50 lead. Will the Firefighters fan be able

1:19:53 to make IT UP?

1:19:55 >> [music]

1:19:56 >> THIS CLOWNS FAN IS HOLDING on to the

1:19:58 lead. It's going to come down to the

1:20:00 home stretch. Who's going to get dropped

1:20:02 off in the POOL FIRST?

1:20:04 >> [music]

1:20:05 [cheering]

1:20:06 >> IT ALL COMES DOWN TO THIS.

1:20:09 And it looks like the Clowns fan is the

1:20:13 winner.

1:20:15 That Firefighters fan just wanted to

1:20:16 dunk his kid. Ladies and gentlemen, that

1:20:19 was Burly Swirly.

1:20:25 I don't know how you can get over the

1:20:26 emotions of drafting.

1:20:28 Beautiful stuff. You know who actually

1:20:30 knows the emotions of drafting? Eli

1:20:32 Payton.

1:20:34 Why is that? Cuz his uncle George,

1:20:36 general manager of the Denver Broncos.

1:20:38 I'm talking to a Denver Broncos fan in

1:20:40 the booth with me, by the way, Blake

1:20:41 O'Hara.

1:20:42 I didn't even know who Denver drafted,

1:20:43 by the way.

1:20:45 It's a big swing there from Bobby La

1:20:46 Day, gets us going in the third inning.

1:20:48 Jared Donaldson, after giving up a run

1:20:50 in the top of the first, has been

1:20:52 pristine

1:20:54 over his last couple of frames.

1:20:58 Has allowed no base runners

1:21:00 since Bobby La Day.

1:21:02 ANOTHER BAT IS LOST THAT TIME, BROKEN.

1:21:05 Peanut [music] can't find it. Tyner

1:21:06 Hughes, TIP DRILL. OH, BETWEEN THE LEGS!

1:21:11 COLIN BOOTH IN!

1:21:14 THE DEFENSE for the Firefighters HAS

1:21:17 COME TO PLAY.

1:21:20 WHAT ABOUT THAT teammate where Tyner

1:21:22 Hughes

1:21:24 KNEW PEANUT COULDN'T FIND IT IN THE SUN,

1:21:26 tipped it up, and then Peanut could find

1:21:28 it.

1:21:37 Also, there are pieces of wood flying

1:21:39 all over this ballpark right now. Broken

1:21:42 bat for Bobby La Day, Tyner Hughes lost

1:21:44 one just out of his hands.

1:21:46 That is a beautiful move over there from

1:21:48 Jared Donaldson. [music]

1:21:51 Just a little high.

1:21:52 1-1 count.

1:21:55 Swing and a miss from Dale Francis, and

1:21:57 that is now nine batters retired in a

1:21:59 row for Donnie.

1:22:07 Dale, that's a liner. NOAH, OH, THE TIE

1:22:10 WON'T GO.

1:22:12 HE'S GOING to have to get back up

1:22:13 quickly.

1:22:14 That's a great recovery there from Noah.

1:22:16 He'll hold Dale Francis Jr. to just a

1:22:18 double. It's a great effort

1:22:21 from Bridges.

1:22:22 Look at that. Putting his body on the

1:22:25 line.

1:22:26 You got to honor the sacrifice. Just a

1:22:28 little far out of his glove, and it's a

1:22:29 great piece of hitting for Dale Francis

1:22:31 Jr., who is aboard with a double.

1:22:51 So, it's Nico Hoerner who steps on in.

1:22:53 With a runner on base, that is a

1:22:55 dangerous territory, as the Firefighters

1:22:57 have unfortunately had to find out a

1:22:58 couple different times this weekend.

1:23:01 A big swing. He struck out swinging his

1:23:03 first time.

1:23:05 It's the lone strikeout of the day

1:23:06 for Jared Donaldson, but quickly, it's a

1:23:08 1-2 count.

1:23:12 ON THE OUTSIDE PART OF THE BLACK, AND A

1:23:15 BACKWARDS K ON DONNIE DAY.

1:23:21 That's a beautiful pitch. Ooh, special

1:23:23 time.

1:24:05 Chris Burgess, after he walks up

1:24:08 with something beautiful,

1:24:10 puts one into the backstop.

1:24:19 Flash, former teammate of Jared

1:24:21 Donaldson,

1:24:22 trying to threaten him with steal

1:24:24 third base. Donnie checks up on it.

1:24:27 Good block there from E.J.

1:24:40 Donnie trying to get that one framed in,

1:24:41 wasn't there. 2-2 count. Can strand the

1:24:44 runner at second with something

1:24:46 productive.

1:24:56 Few boo birds breaking out on that on

1:24:58 that call.

1:25:00 And now a huge payoff pitch. AND A BIG

1:25:04 STRIKEOUT FOR DONNIE.

1:25:06 HIS THIRD K OF THE AFTERNOON. STRANDS

1:25:08 Flash at second base.

1:25:10 I bet anything he'd be pumped up to do a

1:25:13 little Hey Baby, and so are we. Chat,

1:25:15 get them Hey Babys up.

1:25:22 I need everybody to get on your feet.

1:25:24 That's right. Get on your feet, and put

1:25:27 your hands in the air, because right

1:25:29 now, IT'S TIME FOR A LITTLE HEY BABY.

1:25:36 YOU BETTER BE CLAPPING those hands,

1:25:38 Greenville.

1:25:45 Wave those arms.

1:25:58 You look great, Greenville.

1:26:04 >> [music]

1:26:12 >> Time to get some steps in.

1:26:17 >> [music]

1:26:27 [music and singing]

1:26:28 >> Where did that lady come from down

1:26:29 there? Where did she come from?

1:26:33 >> [music]

1:26:35 >> I want to know.

1:26:37 Oh my lord, I'm losing my cords.

1:26:40 One more time. Blake, you want to do

1:26:42 this? Get on in here.

1:26:47 >> [music]

1:26:49 [screaming]

1:26:50 >> I want to know.

1:26:55 >> [music]

1:26:55 >> Greenville, give yourself A BIG ROUND OF

1:26:57 APPLAUSE.

1:27:06 >> [music]

1:27:07 >> BOY, I'm not impressed.

1:27:10 Where did Maddie Warren come from?

1:27:19 There's a lot of stuff going on here

1:27:21 with Hey Baby as

1:27:23 Nick Wilson comes out for his fourth

1:27:25 inning on the job.

1:27:33 And now, for the first time today,

1:27:35 we have a guest. But really, it's a

1:27:37 guest in his own home.

1:27:40 North Greenville University's Jaylen

1:27:43 Vasquez at second base. JV, WHAT'S UP,

1:27:45 MY MAN?

1:27:47 WHAT WAS THAT like being able to come on

1:27:50 in with your college jersey and get that

1:27:52 reaction?

1:27:52 >> Oh man, it's awesome, dude. Just just to

1:27:54 come back to

1:27:55 to to Greenville and rep NGU, and my

1:27:58 head [music] coach is here, Landon

1:27:58 Powell, so I'm just I'm just happy to

1:28:00 represent him tonight. Dalton Cornett,

1:28:02 high into the sky.

1:28:04 I don't even think Jackie Bradley Jr.

1:28:06 has to waste that much energy.

1:28:08 That guy is incredible, isn't he?

1:28:10 >> Oh man, I mean, what a what a cool guy

1:28:11 to be around, dude. What's the biggest

1:28:13 piece of advice you've gotten from JBJ?

1:28:15 Uh

1:28:16 one time, we were in Anaheim,

1:28:18 California, and I asked him I was

1:28:20 feeling off, and I asked him I said,

1:28:21 what uh what's it called?

1:28:24 Well, I'm trying to think. I'm I'm

1:28:24 having a brain fart right now. No,

1:28:26 you're also doing your job. I'm kind of

1:28:27 interrupting you, so I do appreciate

1:28:29 that.

1:28:29 Logan Lacey

1:28:31 to the sun.

1:28:32 Nico can't find it.

1:28:34 Now he does. Oh, he just bought it in

1:28:35 the old-fashioned way. No, I asked

1:28:37 Jackie I said, um

1:28:39 you know,

1:28:40 what do you have to do to be ready for

1:28:42 your your your big league debut, and how

1:28:44 do you prepare yourself in in in the

1:28:45 mindset? And he said, just go up there

1:28:47 and act like you own that pitcher, baby.

1:28:49 Own him. See it to believe it. That's my

1:28:51 motto now. See it to believe it.

1:28:53 Now you got a new pitcher. What's it

1:28:54 been like to have Mo'ne Davis on y'all's

1:28:57 team? I ain't going to lie, bro. I was

1:28:59 I saw her for the first time at FCSU,

1:29:00 you know, I told her that she's an icon

1:29:02 for all the ladies out there.

1:29:03 >> She really is.

1:29:04 >> She is, man. And I watched her in my

1:29:05 living room when she was at the Little

1:29:07 League World Series.

1:29:08 we're we're the same exact age, so I got

1:29:10 to, you know, get to know her a little

1:29:11 bit more, and she's a very very

1:29:13 down-to-earth person, you know, from

1:29:14 Philly, so kudos to her for coming out

1:29:16 here and showing women that it's

1:29:18 possible to do this with the men out

1:29:19 here. Tell you what, something about the

1:29:20 Philly women here in South Carolina,

1:29:22 Dawn Staley and Mo'ne Davis. And I tell

1:29:24 you what, her stuff has gotten so nasty

1:29:27 from when she was pitching as a

1:29:28 teenager. I know that's hard to believe.

1:29:29 And I mean, she still got it though. She

1:29:31 still got it. She's I think she's

1:29:33 working on some some split pitch. I've

1:29:35 seen that she did in Charleston, so it

1:29:36 looks pretty good. Two out of the last 3

1:29:38 weeks you've gotten to come back to

1:29:39 South Carolina.

1:29:40 Couple of weekends ago against the

1:29:41 Coconuts, it was in your hometown of

1:29:43 Charleston, South Carolina. I have to

1:29:45 imagine that this has been the weekend

1:29:47 you circled on your calendar for so

1:29:48 long. Oh, most definitely. Both both

1:29:50 Charleston and Greenville was definitely

1:29:51 on my calendar and I'm I'm super stoked

1:29:53 to come out here and you know, put a

1:29:55 show on for the fans.

1:29:58 What kind of memories come back from

1:30:00 from coming back to Greenville and

1:30:02 playing at NGU?

1:30:03 You know, I coming here I I was looking

1:30:05 for an opportunity. Atlanta Pal is that

1:30:07 guy. You know, he he's going to give you

1:30:08 a chance to play on the field and show

1:30:10 them what you got. We got a chance to go

1:30:12 to the go back to the College World

1:30:13 Series in '23 cuz they won in '22. So,

1:30:16 kudos to them for getting that job done.

1:30:17 When you played a couple of years at

1:30:18 South Carolina before coming on in to

1:30:20 NGU, so you've really just been born and

1:30:22 bred in the Palmetto State. That's a

1:30:24 ball for a sprint. Get your cardio in

1:30:26 here real quick, Jay B. Here we go

1:30:27 quick. Uh no, we're good. We're good.

1:30:28 Hey, I you had cut out. Somebody talked

1:30:30 over you. That's okay.

1:30:33 A lot of people like to talk over me,

1:30:34 Jay B. That's tough, man. That's tough.

1:30:36 >> [laughter]

1:30:37 >> I got you. Hey, what's the

1:30:39 what's the

1:30:41 the best thing you've ever heard Fisher

1:30:42 Polidor say to you?

1:30:44 Honestly, bro, it's too much to even to

1:30:46 even like fathom, bro. He he's always in

1:30:49 character on and off the field and you

1:30:50 know, he's a cool guy to be around. He's

1:30:52 very young. We got a lot to learn, but

1:30:54 it's a blessing to have him on the team

1:30:55 and you know, just just let him to be

1:30:57 himself. You know, everybody get to be

1:30:59 himself [music] out here.

1:31:01 You can absolutely do that.

1:31:03 Couple of weekends ago,

1:31:05 home run in Montgomery, Alabama to beat

1:31:07 the Fire Fighters. You were juiced up

1:31:10 and then last actually Friday night, you

1:31:12 had a two RBI single and you fell to

1:31:14 your knees.

1:31:15 Which one did you appreciate the most?

1:31:18 The one that I fell on my knees. I'm not

1:31:19 going to lie. I was so due for a hit,

1:31:21 man. I was putting the ball in play and

1:31:23 the baseball gods [music] was not not

1:31:25 helping me out at all. But that one in

1:31:26 Montgomery, man, that has to stand out

1:31:28 above most of them, right? Yeah, I mean,

1:31:30 that's one to hurt. All right, two two

1:31:31 two.

1:31:32 What? You all right? KB Longway. KB

1:31:33 Longway. Here we go.

1:31:35 Look at that.

1:31:36 Jaylen Vasquez. Appreciate you guys

1:31:38 having me, but the Montgomery homer was

1:31:39 pretty cool because you know, not

1:31:42 everybody could have hit a foul ball

1:31:43 homer and then hit another homer right

1:31:44 after that, but it was awesome, bro. It

1:31:46 was awesome. Jaylen B, you're the man.

1:31:47 Welcome back home. Thanks for doing

1:31:49 this, brother. We're climbing around on

1:31:51 the field.

1:31:54 Brandon.

1:31:56 All right, fans, here at the Baseball

1:31:59 Circus we like to do things a little bit

1:32:00 differently. So, we've got a game of

1:32:02 musical chairs like you quite haven't

1:32:03 seen before. All right? The rules are

1:32:05 simple. These four fellows are going to

1:32:07 spin around on their bats and get as

1:32:09 dizzy as they can until the music stops.

1:32:11 Once that music stops, they're going to

1:32:13 run out to these chairs that they see

1:32:14 and grab as as they can. We're going to

1:32:16 go one by one until there's one clown

1:32:19 standing. We like to call this one

1:32:21 clowning around. Fellows, four heads

1:32:23 down on those bats.

1:32:25 DJ, hit it.

1:32:28 And they're off, ladies and gentlemen.

1:32:30 Spin spin spin. Come on, dizzy it on up.

1:32:34 Come on, clowns.

1:32:38 All right, OH, MUSIC STOP. HERE WE GO.

1:32:41 FIND A CHAIR. OH, AND THAT WAS A LITTLE

1:32:42 TOO EASY. All right, we want contestant

1:32:45 eliminated. Let's set it up for round

1:32:47 two.

1:32:51 DJ, we're ready. Boys, spin spin spin.

1:32:57 Come on, we've got to spin faster than

1:32:58 that. Come on, come on, spin. Spin.

1:33:01 That music's GOING TO OH.

1:33:03 OH. OH, AND HE GRABS IT. ALL RIGHT,

1:33:06 LET'S SET IT UP FOR

1:33:08 HE TAKES a tumble.

1:33:09 Let's set it up for the final round,

1:33:11 ladies and gentlemen.

1:33:15 There you go.

1:33:17 Spin

1:33:18 spin spin.

1:33:20 I'm going to do a trick here.

1:33:22 >> [music and singing]

1:33:26 [laughter]

1:33:28 >> ALL RIGHT, FIGHT.

1:33:29 COME ON, HERE WE GO. 3 2 1. HE'S GOT THE

1:33:33 CHAIR.

1:33:35 And we have a winner, ladies and

1:33:37 gentlemen. That is [cheering] clowning

1:33:39 around.

1:33:53 Some clowns with some very large thighs,

1:33:55 to say the least, just wrestled for some

1:33:57 chairs.

1:33:59 Intriguing, to say the least.

1:34:02 If you're just joining us, Fire Fighters

1:34:03 up two nothing as Jared Donaldson coming

1:34:05 out for his fifth inning of work.

1:34:09 Longest he has gone

1:34:11 in the Fire Fighter uniform. And by the

1:34:13 way,

1:34:14 well, you know what? I'm going to save

1:34:15 this for the end of the game. Somebody

1:34:16 remind me

1:34:17 to give you a stat at the end of the

1:34:18 game as Eli Peyton smokes one right back

1:34:20 up the middle. It'll be a base knock.

1:34:21 So, Armando Becerra holds him to a

1:34:23 single.

1:34:26 So, another game and another hit for the

1:34:28 impressive lefty at a Grand Canyon

1:34:30 University.

1:34:31 And now, Brian Dancer, who was a late

1:34:33 addition to the lineup today because of

1:34:34 some injury fluctuation,

1:34:38 had a leg injury in Anaheim, hasn't

1:34:39 played the last couple of weekends, was

1:34:40 trying to get in this week

1:34:42 because of some extenuating

1:34:44 circumstances. He gets the shot to come

1:34:46 in today. Swings and misses on one from

1:34:48 Donnie.

1:34:50 Who's gotten up to 19 strikeouts

1:34:53 on the world tour.

1:34:57 That will be a strikeout. South Trimble.

1:35:01 OH, THE MAGIC MAN WITH THE MAGIC CATCH.

1:35:08 Breaks out that top hat and slides to

1:35:10 his knees for a trick play. Call it in.

1:35:29 So, one on. It's Eli Peyton as Jaylen

1:35:31 Vasquez, the man that we just heard.

1:35:34 I wonder if he can still hear me. Nah, I

1:35:36 don't think he can.

1:35:37 I think the cord has been

1:35:39 officially removed.

1:35:41 1-1 count. Eli Peyton on first. A huge

1:35:45 trick play for South Trimble.

1:35:47 Not his first of the year, but the first

1:35:49 time we have seen that big beautiful hat

1:35:51 broken out.

1:35:53 Right now, the Fire Fighters defense is

1:35:55 fully locked in. Eight trick plays to

1:35:57 one.

1:35:58 The clowns have not been able to get a

1:35:59 run across since that first inning

1:36:02 against Mr. Donnie.

1:36:05 He's gotten three Ks on the day. Trying

1:36:07 to get his 20th strikeout on the season.

1:36:09 That is lofted

1:36:11 to the heavens. Would save a kitten from

1:36:13 a tree. [music] Will not land for a hit.

1:36:24 Eli getting a nice little lead on first.

1:36:27 EJ trying to frame it up. Won't go and

1:36:29 it's a 3-2 count. Ball [music] four

1:36:31 sprint on the table.

1:36:36 Donnie has had a shoe untied.

1:36:40 Oh, I'm going to foul.

1:36:42 Payoff pitch.

1:36:46 Streamer down the line foul.

1:36:48 Over to Matt Wolfer's barrel.

1:36:52 I haven't seen one land in the barrel

1:36:54 yet. If it does, I want to be here for

1:36:55 that.

1:36:57 Especially cuz I was in the barrel last

1:36:58 year. I want to know what I would have

1:37:00 had to go through.

1:37:02 And it's a ball for a sprint.

1:37:05 Donnie really wanting that one.

1:37:08 Eli gets over to third. Donnie at this

1:37:10 point starting to laugh.

1:37:12 Wasn't a fan of that call.

1:37:14 It looked mighty good, but Andrew Gerard

1:37:17 says, nope, it's a ball for a sprint.

1:37:19 So, there are runners on the corners

1:37:20 with just one away.

1:37:22 A double play would do Donnie extra

1:37:24 good.

1:37:29 And that one does touch the outside part

1:37:31 of the black. Strike one. KB shaking his

1:37:33 head now.

1:37:34 See, this is the the tough part of being

1:37:36 an umpire. 50% of

1:37:38 the lineup likes it, 50% hates it. Lacy.

1:37:42 That was a liner right back to him.

1:37:44 Throw over to first. Jay B back in time.

1:37:48 That was an absolute dart.

1:38:03 So now, Joe Gray Jr. Earned himself a

1:38:05 trip in his first plate appearance with

1:38:06 a ball for a sprint, then grounded out

1:38:11 in the second.

1:38:13 With runners on the corners, a couple

1:38:14 have already been stranded here for the

1:38:15 clowns today.

1:38:17 Donnie wants to strand a few more and

1:38:18 that's a great looking pitch there to do

1:38:19 it.

1:38:21 Working on his 85th pitch of the ball

1:38:23 game.

1:38:25 The longest he has gone by far here

1:38:27 for the Fire Fighters. Over to South.

1:38:30 Does he have a bead on it?

1:38:31 TIP DRILL RIGHT TO HIMSELF IN A TRICK

1:38:34 PLAY. IT'S GOING TO END the frame.

1:38:37 Two in the inning for Smoke and Donnie

1:38:40 strands two more on the corners

1:38:43 and the Fire Fighters keep the clowns

1:38:46 off the board again.

1:38:49 Big time work from Smoke in right field.

1:38:53 The fire line is coming out to play the

1:38:55 drums.

1:38:57 But that was an absolute beauty from

1:39:00 South Trimble.

1:39:10 So, let's go down TO MICHAEL SCHWARTZ.

1:39:11 WAIT, EXACTLY. THAT'S RIGHT. IT'S

1:39:12 MICHAEL SCHWARTZ DOWN HERE reporting

1:39:14 live ON THE FIELD.

1:39:18 BO, GET HER AWAY. GOSH, GOSH, GET HER

1:39:20 AWAY. Hey South, I'm trying to do my job

1:39:22 here. First pick in the overall draft,

1:39:24 you proved it down the field just now in

1:39:26 that inning. How did that feel to be the

1:39:27 first selection? You know, it's just

1:39:29 like a dream. You dream as a kid growing

1:39:31 up your entire life. It's all the hard

1:39:33 work, dedication, sacrifice you make. I

1:39:35 was just proud. I had Mama Maxwell and

1:39:38 Papa Mr. Electric with me to hug me. And

1:39:41 it's one of those like, you know, those

1:39:43 visions with There's moments where

1:39:44 you're flying. You know,

1:39:47 I know. Are you crying? I put on these

1:39:49 sunglasses to block it, but I was

1:39:51 waterfalls earlier. Congratulations.

1:39:54 Thank you. I love you. Get over there. I

1:39:56 love you, too. What a moment. Get real

1:39:57 quick, real quick, real quick. HEY JOE,

1:39:59 JOE LYTLE, Joe Lytle. Perfect sit. How's

1:40:01 it going? GREAT. IT'S GOING GREAT. JOE

1:40:03 LYTLE, PERFECT SIT. ZACK, BACK UP TO

1:40:05 YOU.

1:40:06 Sure that nobody talks to him about the

1:40:08 perfect sit. Got to keep him locked in.

1:40:10 Nobody talk to him. South Trimble, that

1:40:13 is a magic man. And look at Armando

1:40:15 making sure that the ball was there. He

1:40:17 didn't make it disappear except for a

1:40:20 trick play out. South Trimble.

1:40:24 Hasn't gotten a ton of starts in the

1:40:26 field this year.

1:40:28 But boy, when he has, he has been

1:40:29 effective both at the plate

1:40:31 and now in the field. Gets a ball for

1:40:33 Sprint. Or excuse me, hit by a pitch

1:40:35 after he was the first pick of the third

1:40:37 inning of the April 26th Firefighter

1:40:40 lineup draft.

1:40:42 Hey, something special.

1:40:50 >> [music]

1:40:55 [music]

1:40:58 [singing]

1:41:02 [music]

1:41:07 [music]

1:41:13 [music]

1:41:19 [music]

1:41:26 [music]

1:41:33 [music]

1:41:40 >> How do you not break out to that one?

1:41:42 Fat Bottom Girls by Queen is the song

1:41:45 for Dakota McFadden, the OG Firefighter.

1:41:50 When the fan first Hall of Fame opens

1:41:52 up, you'll need to make sure this man

1:41:54 has a reserved place for how much he has

1:41:55 done for the sport and for the great

1:41:58 folks who support this sport.

1:42:02 He's the first ever

1:42:04 player signed a banana ball as he fouls

1:42:05 that one back and he gets himself his

1:42:07 very first walk-off of 2020 to some

1:42:10 Queen.

1:42:20 Also, he is pinch-hitting for Caden

1:42:21 Green.

1:42:23 But Peanut will get to go back in the

1:42:24 game, so no harm, no foul.

1:42:30 Vinny Santa Ciero, by the way, having to

1:42:32 delay

1:42:33 the start of his inning because we had

1:42:34 to break out some Queen.

1:42:36 And I think he'll understand.

1:42:38 3-2 count.

1:42:40 And a ball for Sprint. So team act

1:42:42 aboard.

1:42:50 How about that? The OG,

1:42:53 as Ron Franklin calls him, OG,

1:42:57 earns himself a ball for Sprint.

1:43:00 That guy just continues

1:43:03 to put himself in pristine position to

1:43:05 get on base. 429 OBP coming into today.

1:43:08 And he'll take a little lead.

1:43:09 >> [cheering]

1:43:11 >> And he'll stay in to run the bases.

1:43:13 Armando Becerra,

1:43:15 our sure-fire center fielder, comes

1:43:17 strolling on in. He earned himself a

1:43:19 ball for Sprint. He is a master of that.

1:43:21 The next one will be the team leader

1:43:23 with nine.

1:43:26 He wanted to earn it with the stick

1:43:29 there.

1:43:38 Perfect diff hit addition

1:43:40 to the clubhouse of the Firefighters in

1:43:42 the box right now. Boy, on the outside

1:43:44 part of the black.

1:43:48 Just an update, Caden Green is now on

1:43:50 the first, so he's back in his lineup

1:43:52 position.

1:43:55 Good eye for Mondo.

1:43:57 Took a pitch over there earlier that was

1:43:58 a strike, stays with it.

1:44:05 The 2-2 from Vinny.

1:44:07 Mondo, high in the sky. Let's go to the

1:44:09 bat. Matt Wolfe, find the day. Chasing

1:44:12 it. Can they find it? The sun. Tip drill

1:44:14 Matt Wolfe into the overalls.

1:44:18 That's a double trick play for the

1:44:19 clowns. Just their third of the game.

1:44:23 And it comes all the way in the fifth

1:44:24 inning.

1:44:30 That's beautiful.

1:44:31 That's the beautiful part of having Matt

1:44:33 Wolfe. He can find so many creative

1:44:35 ways. Look at that, by the way. He had

1:44:37 to squeeze that near the midsection to

1:44:40 assure it didn't fall out of his shorts.

1:44:42 Inside that just

1:44:45 Did that get away? Yes, it did. Did it

1:44:47 hit Mason?

1:44:49 Think for a second he tried to argue it

1:44:50 did, but he stays in the box. So did not

1:44:53 hit Mason Maxwell, but Caden Green is

1:44:55 all the way at second already.

1:44:57 With one away, Firefighters just need

1:44:59 one run

1:45:00 to win the point.

1:45:04 Mason, good eye.

1:45:11 Mason, a 429 [music]

1:45:13 OBP coming into the day as well. He's

1:45:14 had a patient AB. That one floats into

1:45:16 the sky.

1:45:20 12 hits on his young season. Going into

1:45:23 the Banana Ball open, he had at least

1:45:24 two hits and maybe more in four of his

1:45:26 last six games.

1:45:29 And his first homer of the year coming

1:45:30 in Albuquerque.

1:45:33 And a ball for Sprint here would do the

1:45:35 job.

1:45:36 That might do it as well.

1:45:39 Lobs it into right field. Joe Gray will

1:45:41 hold Peanut at third. Mason is aboard

1:45:43 with his first hit on the game.

1:46:03 Now folks, the man who has the distinct

1:46:05 honor of being the first pick

1:46:07 in the third inning of the April 26th

1:46:10 Firefighter lineup draft. South Trimble,

1:46:12 we just saw him turn a couple of trick

1:46:13 plays in the top half of the frame. He

1:46:15 can win it right here.

1:46:22 Hit by a pitch.

1:46:27 In his first plate appearance.

1:46:29 Faces an 0-2. Good pitch from Vinny.

1:46:32 Trying to get the off-speed stuff and it

1:46:33 broke outside.

1:46:41 SOUTH INTO RIGHT FIELD.

1:46:44 KNOCKS IT THE OPPOSITE WAY AND THAT'LL

1:46:46 WIN the frame.

1:46:48 An RBI single for the magic man and the

1:46:51 Firefighters

1:46:53 are going crazy here in Greenville. They

1:46:56 lead it 3-0 going into the fifth. Blake

1:46:58 Morgan now is a bottle opener.

1:47:13 >> [laughter]

1:47:14 >> SOMEBODY HAS SPLIT EYES

1:47:16 ON A bottle opener.

1:47:20 Blake Morgan is having the time of his

1:47:22 life right now.

1:47:23 >> base side. Here's Kat.

1:47:25 Ladies and gentlemen, for the

1:47:26 Firefighters and Banana Ball, we love,

1:47:28 love. And right now, we're going to put

1:47:30 that to the test with a good

1:47:31 old-fashioned kiss-off. We have three

1:47:34 couples. They're going to kiss each

1:47:35 other. And the crowd here in Greenville

1:47:37 is going to determine who the winner is

1:47:39 of the kiss-off. Couple number one, what

1:47:41 are your name? Jay and Sylvia. And how

1:47:43 long have you two been together? One

1:47:45 year. One year, okay. Barely new. Let's

1:47:47 see what you got.

1:47:49 >> [music]

1:47:51 >> Little heel pop. That was That was cute.

1:47:53 That was cute. I love your fire shirt.

1:47:56 Couple number two, what are your names?

1:47:58 Bill and Melissa. Bill and Melissa, how

1:48:00 long have you two been together? 24

1:48:02 years. 24 years, all right. A little

1:48:04 more experience, take it away.

1:48:07 >> [music]

1:48:10 >> Aw, cute little dip. The crowd liked it.

1:48:13 And last but not least, couple number

1:48:16 three, what are your names? We are Tom

1:48:18 and Cindy. Tom and Cindy, how long have

1:48:20 you two been together? 43 years.

1:48:22 43

1:48:24 years. Whoa. Oh, oh, the hat's going on

1:48:27 backwards. You guys got some experience.

1:48:29 Take us home.

1:48:33 >> [cheering]

1:48:42 [cheering]

1:48:44 >> Okay, okay. Stop it. Stop it. Stop it.

1:48:46 Stop it. There's get Yeah, wipe wipe

1:48:48 your

1:48:49 Okay.

1:48:50 Good for you. Good for you. All right,

1:48:51 Greenville, you're going to determine

1:48:53 the winner of the kiss-off. Was it

1:48:55 couple number one?

1:48:58 Not bad. How about couple number two?

1:49:02 Not bad. How

1:49:07 >> [cheering]

1:49:11 >> Stop. Stop, please. Please. Please,

1:49:13 stop. Greenville is the winner of the

1:49:16 kiss-off COUPLE NUMBER THREE.

1:49:19 WE HAVE A WINNER. Great job to all our

1:49:23 amazing couples and I bet you guys are

1:49:25 going to have a good time tonight. That

1:49:27 is a couple

1:49:28 who has never taken the advice of get a

1:49:30 room seriously.

1:49:33 Brian Trepanier

1:49:35 BK

1:49:37 is up for work. First time we've seen

1:49:40 him

1:49:41 since Scottsdale, Arizona, nearly a

1:49:44 month ago.

1:49:46 The former Texas Tailgater strode in for

1:49:50 his third inning of work.

1:49:53 Is it strodes in, by the way? Let me say

1:49:54 strides in.

1:49:56 Easy for me to say.

1:49:59 He goes up against JBJ.

1:50:03 Jackie into the sky and out of here.

1:50:12 BK faced the Clowns

1:50:15 in Montgomery.

1:50:17 Would like to have that one back a

1:50:18 little bit. Irons help keep clothes

1:50:20 smooth and clean. Only one and a third

1:50:22 of an inning.

1:50:24 Gave up four runs

1:50:26 and a hit.

1:50:27 That one goes into the seats again.

1:50:30 So, this could be a revenge opportunity

1:50:31 here for BK.

1:50:33 We haven't heard his story, the man

1:50:37 was not drafted back to the Texas

1:50:39 Tailgaters in the Banana Ball player

1:50:40 draft, started working in our Banana

1:50:42 Ball merch warehouse in Pooler, Georgia.

1:50:46 As he what puts JBJ on with the ball for

1:50:48 Sprint.

1:50:50 Jackie Bradley Jr. will just settle for

1:50:52 the first base, not even really

1:50:53 attempting to turn and go for second.

1:50:56 When Ron Franklin Jr. lost his season

1:50:58 due to a torn ACL, the Firefighters had

1:51:00 an opportunity to sign another player.

1:51:02 Who'd they call? The man who stayed

1:51:04 faithful to the process, Brian

1:51:05 Trepanier. He comes in and has just been

1:51:09 fitting like a glove with this team. Got

1:51:11 a chance to go get breakfast with him

1:51:12 and Peanut the other day.

1:51:14 He is a beautiful teammate and even more

1:51:16 special person. If you're wondering,

1:51:18 too,

1:51:20 his name is BK

1:51:21 because his father is a district manager

1:51:24 for about seven or eight Burger Kings in

1:51:27 his hometown of Columbus, the home area.

1:51:29 By the way, in front of the Firefighters

1:51:31 bullpen, there is a BK logo.

1:51:34 They knew he was coming.

1:51:37 That is a delightful pitch.

1:51:41 Bobby LaDale with a good eye.

1:51:44 One-two count.

1:51:49 Foul back.

1:51:53 >> [cheering]

1:51:55 >> BK will go with a fastball, a curve,

1:51:57 hits you with a slider and a changeup.

1:51:59 He'll break out a knuckleball. Boy,

1:52:01 that's a good mover.

1:52:05 He works it full.

1:52:06 Joe LaDale, the perfect fit

1:52:09 is there through the top of the sixth.

1:52:23 LaDale fights that one off into right

1:52:25 field. South couldn't get to it. JBJ

1:52:28 GOING BACK TO FIRST. SOUTH OH, HE DOES

1:52:31 GOT HIM DOWN.

1:52:33 WOW.

1:52:35 PULLED Peanut off the bag, but he stayed

1:52:36 with it and laid the tag on Jackie

1:52:38 Bradley Jr.

1:52:41 A rare base running mistake there for

1:52:43 JBJ.

1:52:45 And so, that will go down as a fielder's

1:52:47 choice.

1:52:49 What a tag there from Peanut.

1:52:56 Obviously has made his impact at the

1:52:58 plate, but boy, don't get it twisted.

1:53:00 Kaden Green is a marvelous defender.

1:53:03 2-0 count for Dale Francis, who has

1:53:06 gotten on the bases here with a double

1:53:08 in the first frame.

1:53:10 That will not do the job there. It's a

1:53:12 2-1 count.

1:53:13 Dale played at Erskine College for a

1:53:15 couple of years for Mark Crocco, played

1:53:17 a couple of games here, for field there.

1:53:20 Tag up unsuccessful.

1:53:23 Full time in the DH slot while the

1:53:24 Clowns are going through some injuries.

1:53:27 Boy, he's got an opportunity to really

1:53:28 earn his everyday lineup card here.

1:53:30 >> [cheering]

1:53:31 >> With a 3-1 count, this could really help

1:53:33 him.

1:53:40 Dale, that's a sword.

1:53:43 And he works it back full. Beg your

1:53:45 pardon, by the way. He grounded out his

1:53:46 first plate appearance, then hit a

1:53:47 double that Noah Bridges broke out the

1:53:49 Superman cape for, but just couldn't

1:53:50 quite haul it in on the dive.

1:53:55 DFJ stays alive.

1:53:56 >> [cheering]

1:53:59 >> You wonder how much rust is there for BK

1:54:01 after not having pitched for a month.

1:54:05 That was a low ball for Sprint.

1:54:10 So, Bobby LaDale is all the way over to

1:54:12 third. Dale

1:54:13 stays at first.

1:54:27 So, how about Nico Holheiser? He's been

1:54:29 struck out a couple different times

1:54:33 by Jared Donaldson.

1:54:36 Can he tag up BK or does

1:54:39 the newest Firefighter pitcher

1:54:43 have a little something for him?

1:54:48 Flash is over at first as the designated

1:54:50 runner and he takes off. EJ throws down.

1:54:55 Flash in the pickle.

1:54:59 Bobby LaDale coming home AND THE THROW

1:55:01 IS OFF TARGET.

1:55:05 >> [cheering]

1:55:05 >> And Flash HAS COME ALL THE WAY AROUND

1:55:06 THIRD. HE'S COMING HOME. And that was

1:55:09 ill-advised.

1:55:11 Cuz Brian Trepanier slides in for the

1:55:13 tag, but Eric Fox wants a challenge.

1:55:19 Mason trying his darnest to make the

1:55:21 throw home.

1:55:24 He goes by EJ. So, one run is across.

1:55:28 Now we have to see if a second one comes

1:55:29 across.

1:55:31 Trepanier sliding in.

1:55:34 The tag is there. I don't see

1:55:38 if he placed his hand at home before

1:55:39 that.

1:55:41 At least not from that angle.

1:55:42 This is a good one.

1:55:47 BK lost his footing.

1:55:50 Tag? Yep.

1:55:52 I think that one's going to stand.

1:55:54 In fact, I think it probably should be

1:55:55 confirmed.

1:55:59 Does look like BK

1:56:01 lays it in there. And boy, that's an

1:56:02 athletic play, by the way,

1:56:04 to fall all the way back there, still

1:56:06 apply the tag.

1:56:13 So, Flash, it's a good play.

1:56:15 You see right there, looks like the tag

1:56:17 is applied and the hand is not there.

1:56:21 We'll wait for the officials

1:56:24 to watch this a couple different times

1:56:26 and make their ruling. But, it does look

1:56:28 like to me that this call is going to

1:56:29 stand.

1:56:34 BK pretty emphatic on the mound.

1:56:38 That should be an out. So, if the

1:56:39 Firefighters can just save this to one

1:56:41 run,

1:56:42 it's a heck of a job.

1:56:43 Here's the ruling.

1:56:51 And the runner is out

1:56:54 >> stand. Andrew Gerard breaks out a fist

1:56:57 pump behind the dish.

1:57:00 >> [music]

1:57:02 >> "YOU CAN'T BLAME ME," he says.

1:57:06 >> [music]

1:57:06 >> So, it was a Clowns challenge.

1:57:09 As they've now used theirs up.

1:57:10 Firefighters still have theirs. But, it

1:57:12 is a run across because the throw from

1:57:14 Mason

1:57:15 underneath the glove

1:57:18 of EJ.

1:57:19 Bobby LaDale comes home. Now, there are

1:57:20 no runners on.

1:57:22 The 3-0 count, now they get a 3-1.

1:57:29 Couple of ball for Sprints have been

1:57:30 issued. A big swing from Nico.

1:57:35 Boy,

1:57:36 if the Clowns only get one run here,

1:57:38 the Firefighters might have to consider

1:57:39 themselves lucky. IT'S EASY DAMAGE THAT

1:57:41 THEY CAN GET OUT OF and that's a trio of

1:57:43 Ks. Break out that hip shuffle, BK.

1:57:47 Putting the K into his nickname there.

1:57:50 And it's just one run across for the

1:57:52 Indianapolis Clowns. Firefighters have a

1:57:54 little work to do, though, in the bottom

1:57:55 half.

1:57:57 Beautiful pitch. No choice but for Nico

1:57:59 to offer. And look AT THAT BEAUTIFUL HIP

1:58:02 SHUFFLE. TALK TO ME, BK.

1:58:05 >> [cheering]

1:58:06 >> Good stuff.

1:58:09 From the strikeouts to the defense,

1:58:11 trick plays here for the Firefighters.

1:58:14 They [cheering] lead it 9 to 3 as Blake

1:58:16 Morgan is having fun.

1:58:19 Peanut, beautiful play. Mason Maxwell

1:58:21 has been on top of his game. Don't let

1:58:23 that throw home fool you. [cheering] The

1:58:24 trick plays have been there galore.

1:58:26 Maybe that's his best play.

1:58:28 And then teammate helping teammate.

1:58:30 >> [cheering]

1:58:32 >> Again, the magic man.

1:58:34 What can you say? The Firefighters have

1:58:35 denied the equalizer point every game so

1:58:38 far this weekend

1:58:40 against the Indianapolis Clowns.

1:58:41 Remember the equalizer point, if the

1:58:43 visiting team has more trick plays than

1:58:44 the home team going into the final

1:58:46 inning,

1:58:48 they'll be awarded the extra point.

1:58:51 And right now, it's a 9-3 disadvantage

1:58:54 for the Clowns. So,

1:58:55 >> [cheering]

1:58:55 >> it appears the Firefighters have the leg

1:58:58 up on them. Remember, if the home team

1:58:59 has more, there's no equalizer point

1:59:01 awarded at all. They just ignore it.

1:59:03 So really the clowns can only help

1:59:04 themselves there. The Firefighters can

1:59:06 only hurt the clowns. Hello Clark

1:59:08 Gilmore.

1:59:09 I hope he did break out that patented

1:59:10 point to the camera. [music] I was

1:59:11 looking at some trick play stats.

1:59:15 He was effective against the [music]

1:59:16 Firefighters in Montgomery. THERE IT IS.

1:59:18 HI CLARK.

1:59:20 HE DID FIND THE CAMERA. HE TOLD me he

1:59:21 found that trick out

1:59:23 in a couple of his first games.

1:59:25 Good for Clark.

1:59:26 You know him as the trick pitcher

1:59:29 out of Notre Dame.

1:59:31 Noah makes nothing tricky about that.

1:59:32 It's just foul.

1:59:40 Noah split the wood.

1:59:43 So that bat died a hero.

1:59:46 It earned a ball four sprint.

1:59:49 Clark out of Redding,

1:59:51 Connecticut, stands 6 ft 4. He was an

1:59:53 11th round pick for the clowns.

1:59:55 In fact, I believe he was Mr.

1:59:56 Irrelevant.

2:00:01 The 11th round pick

2:00:05 for the Indianapolis clowns.

2:00:19 Noah staying alive

2:00:21 like the Bee Gees.

2:00:22 Bryce Alexander is having a ball as the

2:00:24 third base umpire

2:00:26 in that luchador mask.

2:00:29 Clark

2:00:30 Noah down the right field line.

2:00:33 He'll stay at first with a single.

2:00:35 It's a good fielding job by Joe GRAY JR.

2:00:38 EVERYBODY STAND UP. CHIEF!

2:00:45 YEAH!

2:00:49 THE GOODEST BOYS

2:00:52 FOLLOWS up that beautiful Noah Bridges

2:00:54 swing with a beautiful pick of the bat.

2:00:58 By the way, a great day for Noah

2:01:00 unfolding. Earned a ball four sprint.

2:01:02 Now a single as that one gets away from

2:01:03 Eli Payton on the check over.

2:01:07 Clark gives him the thumbs up.

2:01:09 Noah on the foul.

2:01:12 Joe Lidle has something brewing with

2:01:13 that sip as we are through five and a

2:01:15 half.

2:01:16 Tiny down the right field line.

2:01:18 Opportunity for the fans.

2:01:20 No.

2:01:34 TYDER

2:01:35 DEEP TO LEFT FIELD. IF IT'S FAIR, IT'S

2:01:38 GONE. [screaming]

2:01:39 And it's foul by a net's nose.

2:01:47 Tyder did not move out of the batter's

2:01:49 box. He wanted that one bad.

2:01:53 Would have loved to have seen that shot

2:01:55 from right down the line.

2:01:57 That is a tough one for Tyder.

2:01:59 Check back over Noah, back at Tyder.

2:02:07 Noah off. Hit and run worked to

2:02:10 perfection. That's in the center field

2:02:12 for a base knock. Tiny's going for

2:02:14 second.

2:02:15 That might have been ill-advised. He is

2:02:17 tagged up by Bobby LeDay, but it does

2:02:19 move Noah over to third. So it'll go

2:02:21 down as a single for Tiny in the record

2:02:23 books.

2:02:25 And then tagged out at second base. The

2:02:27 biggest thing though is he's moved Noah

2:02:28 over to third. And now the game, or

2:02:30 excuse me, the inning

2:02:32 tying point is 90 ft away.

2:02:35 And Dalton Cornett could represent the

2:02:37 inning winning point.

2:02:41 Check on down. Nothing there.

2:02:45 Noah does have speed to burn in those

2:02:47 legs.

2:02:48 Woah.

2:02:50 My voice My voice, where did it go?

2:02:54 Again outside, two ball count.

2:02:58 Dalton has himself an RBI double and a

2:03:00 fly out to Jackie Bradley Jr.

2:03:04 That one in there.

2:03:06 Ball four sprint would do the job just

2:03:08 fine. Deny a point and give the

2:03:10 Firefighters a shot to win it.

2:03:16 That won't do the job either as that one

2:03:18 goes off the roof [laughter] and Clark

2:03:20 almost caught up with the ricochet.

2:03:24 Won't get it there.

2:03:25 >> [cheering]

2:03:31 >> Clark

2:03:32 rose to fame after getting posted on

2:03:34 SportsCenter's Instagram during COVID-19

2:03:36 with some trick pitches in a bullpen

2:03:37 session as Dalton again goes to the

2:03:39 roof.

2:03:41 >> [cheering]

2:03:42 >> He was just goofing around doing some of

2:03:44 those things when he was

2:03:46 about 13 years old with a couple of

2:03:48 friends and it just grew from there.

2:03:49 Became a superstar with one bullpen

2:03:52 session.

2:03:54 Dalton Cornett is a superstar in Banana

2:03:56 Ball.

2:03:57 And he superstars that one out of here.

2:04:01 Try to make that one work. It didn't

2:04:02 make much sense.

2:04:04 I'll cross that one out.

2:04:08 Try it again. Moves inside.

2:04:11 Clark has been trying to work the

2:04:12 outside. Instead, it's a full count.

2:04:15 Runner on third, ball four sprint's

2:04:16 going to score Noah.

2:04:18 Ball in play probably scores him.

2:04:21 That goes inside.

2:04:23 It hit Dalton Cornett's

2:04:27 the old Banana Ball hack. If you're in

2:04:31 of putting someone on with the ball four

2:04:32 sprints,

2:04:33 hit him.

2:04:35 Hit him.

2:04:37 And Clark did.

2:04:39 So the second time DC3 has earned

2:04:41 himself a trip to the bases.

2:04:43 Hit by pitch. And now Logan Lacey.

2:04:49 Jumps on that one into center field. JBJ

2:04:52 racing back. He'll grab it.

2:04:54 But Noah Bridges races on in on a little

2:04:57 cruise control and that will go down as

2:05:00 a sacrifice fly for Logan Lacey.

2:05:06 And now Eric Jones Jr.

2:05:09 who has had himself [music] quite the

2:05:11 weekend.

2:05:12 Sacrifice fly

2:05:15 in the first inning

2:05:17 to award the Firefighters a point. Then

2:05:19 a ball four sprint the second time up

2:05:20 facing Mo'ne Davis.

2:05:23 THAT ONE SMOKED INTO RIGHT CENTER FIELD.

2:05:25 WILL IT LAND? JOE GRAY JR. LAUNCHED IT

2:05:29 DIVING OUT. UNDER THE TRACK. FOUL GIVEN

2:05:31 THE WAVE AROUND FOR DC3. THROW HOME!

2:05:35 AND HE'S

2:05:36 OUT!

2:05:41 A tremendous throw from Joe Gray Jr.

2:05:46 And we have a challenge. This time from

2:05:49 the Fighters.

2:05:53 Let's see. I don't think this angle is

2:05:54 going to tell me anything different.

2:06:00 Looks like the tag is on his arm there.

2:06:03 I can't see where his There you go. This

2:06:05 is the the view.

2:06:11 Oh my lord, that is so close.

2:06:14 I think that one's going to stand

2:06:15 unfortunately for the Firefighters.

2:06:17 They'll deny it the point, won't win the

2:06:18 inning.

2:06:20 Dal Perez with the aggressive send. And

2:06:22 I do believe that was the right call.

2:06:24 Especially with Joe Gray

2:06:26 diving out on the track to get it. It

2:06:28 was a tough play to make.

2:06:31 It's a great view, too.

2:06:35 There's the tag and the hand is right on

2:06:37 there.

2:06:39 Blake Goehring, you can see it on your

2:06:40 monitor, too.

2:06:42 There's the tag.

2:06:44 It's bang bang. Think Andrew Gerard got

2:06:46 it right, but it's so tough.

2:06:50 The call on the field is confirmed. The

2:06:54 runner is out at home plate.

2:06:57 >> will get

2:07:00 a double.

2:07:02 And he who so badly wanted an RBI

2:07:04 attached to it. And here's Michael with

2:07:06 the dreamiest boy, Noah Bridges.

2:07:10 That's a big wall.

2:07:12 That's a what? A big wall?

2:07:13 >> That's a big wall. Yeah. Take a minute

2:07:15 to just admire that wall. I'm a fan of

2:07:16 architecture, so that's, you know,

2:07:18 I'm marveling. Marveling. Well, I'm a

2:07:20 fan of yours and marveling at your speed

2:07:23 on the bases and in the field. You tried

2:07:26 for that play out here. What'd you see?

2:07:28 Uh so I'm used to diving for balls I get

2:07:30 in center field. That's actually the

2:07:31 first time I've laid out full fledged

2:07:33 for a ball like that since I broke my

2:07:34 leg. But in left field it's got a

2:07:36 different spin than in center.

2:07:38 So I kind of kind of picked that up. I

2:07:39 got to I think I got to work on those a

2:07:40 little more, but it just kind of sunk

2:07:41 away from me. I had the right angle.

2:07:43 Last question. The clowns barely made

2:07:45 the open, but now they're here

2:07:46 competing. This just shows Banana Ball.

2:07:48 Every team you have to have that high

2:07:49 intensity. The clowns are a great team.

2:07:51 I've always said, as soon as they get

2:07:53 like 30 games, 20 20 30 games under

2:07:55 their belt, I mean, that's what all it

2:07:56 takes really when you got talent like

2:07:58 them. You just need some experience, but

2:08:00 you know, really we love playing against

2:08:01 them. They're good guys and

2:08:03 we have fun. We always have a good time

2:08:04 with them. Noah Bridges, big fan of

2:08:05 Banana Ball and architecture.

2:08:08 Well, from from one Wilmington

2:08:10 connection to another. The guy joining

2:08:14 us on the mound is Marshall Shill. He

2:08:15 doesn't have the connection to

2:08:16 Wilmington. I just wanted to say hi

2:08:17 Marshall. But the guy at first base

2:08:20 is the man that we call Double M, Mason

2:08:23 Maxwell. How you doing, brother?

2:08:26 First time you would have been on a mic

2:08:28 with me. How you feeling down there?

2:08:29 Pretty good. I tried to get Mike'd up

2:08:31 last year in New York and then it failed

2:08:33 on me, you know, so It seems like we're

2:08:35 off to a more auspicious start here.

2:08:37 Yeah, sorry. Hey.

2:08:39 I think a lot of people in Firefighter

2:08:41 country are so proud of you with the way

2:08:42 that you have handled yourself this

2:08:43 season as Marshall Shill. Fighters

2:08:45 winning for a strike. 11th round pick.

2:08:48 Take me through the weekend of the

2:08:49 Banana Ball draft and what that was like

2:08:52 for you to have to wait until the

2:08:53 literal final minutes of the draft to

2:08:55 know you're coming back to the Fire

2:08:56 Flames.

2:08:57 >> Yeah, I kind of had an inclination about

2:09:00 coming back to the Fireflies. I had a

2:09:02 feeling that they were going to take

2:09:03 another chance on me. You know, last

2:09:04 year was a It was an all right year. It

2:09:06 was a rookie year, but

2:09:08 man, just they took another chance on me

2:09:10 and I told them

2:09:11 I'm going to I'm going to do the best I

2:09:13 can to get better and better and

2:09:15 ultimately, I think.

2:09:17 And Chris Burgess

2:09:19 And on the hands, it'll stay foul.

2:09:21 I know you and I talked in the off

2:09:22 season a little bit afterwards. You took

2:09:24 it as yes, it was great to be back in

2:09:26 the Banana Ball, but it was a challenge

2:09:27 for you to not just be here, but to

2:09:29 thrive here. And so far this year,

2:09:31 coming into today, .429 OBP, .333

2:09:35 average, making the transition over to

2:09:37 first base full-time and you got 12

2:09:39 trick plays coming into today and you've

2:09:40 got a bunch of them today.

2:09:42 Just what's the process been like here

2:09:45 this year of just becoming the Mason

2:09:47 Maxwell you know and love?

2:09:49 Marshall Shield, break out the dougie.

2:09:51 You know, uh

2:09:54 I thought I thought I was kind of

2:09:56 overlooked, you know? I wasn't playing

2:09:58 my position last year. I was in right

2:09:59 field. Ultimately, I was a shortstop and

2:10:01 corner outfielder in college.

2:10:04 And um

2:10:06 Yeah, this off season I worked at

2:10:08 worked out at Baseball Performance

2:10:10 Center. Shout out to Ed Charleston and

2:10:12 Matt Rowland. They uh

2:10:14 they helped me a lot. Uh and uh

2:10:17 Appenzeller at Appenzeller Training

2:10:19 Systems, they they really got me going

2:10:21 this off season and made me believe in

2:10:23 myself and and get better and better and

2:10:26 uh so huge shout out to them and just

2:10:28 working hard, man, and

2:10:30 one one team wanted to take a chance on

2:10:32 me. Ooh. Ooh.

2:10:34 Oh, it's out.

2:10:35 One team wanted to take a chance on me

2:10:36 and

2:10:37 I love these guys to death. This this is

2:10:39 just one of the best teams I've ever

2:10:40 been on.

2:10:41 Uh camaraderie wise and uh

2:10:44 and uh team wise. So, it's been a blast.

2:10:47 It has been a blast watching Mason

2:10:49 Maxwell. Now, I got to ask, where did

2:10:51 this Jeff Hardy dance celebration start

2:10:53 coming from?

2:10:54 >> So, my cousin Tommy, he kept uh

2:10:56 he kept uh sending me like WWE stuff for

2:10:59 fun. The whole Mad Max persona, but I

2:11:02 know I'm not doing the eye back really

2:11:03 anymore.

2:11:04 But uh

2:11:06 yeah, pretty much that whole Mad Max

2:11:08 persona and he was just like, you might

2:11:09 as well do it.

2:11:11 Once we get a break here in between

2:11:13 batters, look at the third base camera

2:11:14 and break it out.

2:11:16 Yes, I can Ooh, I can whip it right now

2:11:18 if you guys want me to.

2:11:19 >> There it is.

2:11:22 And by the way, when he enters into the

2:11:24 fire on the starting lineups, he does

2:11:26 the whole Kane entrance.

2:11:27 >> Kane.

2:11:29 Come on.

2:11:30 Ooh.

2:11:31 >> Eli Payton, that is a DOOZY OF THE HIT.

2:11:34 AH. FOUL.

2:11:37 Good battle, Eli.

2:11:38 Yeah, I

2:11:39 There've been a couple down that line

2:11:40 that have been awful tight. Thought Tiny

2:11:42 just had one over the monster.

2:11:44 >> I was getting miked up. I just heard it

2:11:46 in the earpiece the whole time.

2:11:48 Yeah, he didn't He didn't move out of

2:11:49 the batter's box. He was trying to will

2:11:50 that thing as much as humanly possible.

2:11:53 One of the things

2:11:54 that's cool about your story

2:11:56 as we try the 3-2 again. Eli fights it

2:11:59 off, but fights it foul. You were a

2:12:01 paraprofessional before you came to the

2:12:03 Banana Ball working with students with

2:12:05 special needs at a high school in New

2:12:06 Jersey.

2:12:07 That has to still affect you day to day,

2:12:10 being able to talk to those students.

2:12:11 You got a chance to go back and visit

2:12:12 them. Oh, no.

2:12:14 Boy, oh boy.

2:12:19 We'll wait for Mason's answer. There is

2:12:20 Eli Payton.

2:12:21 That was really cool. Being able to go

2:12:23 back, I got to coach wrestling with my

2:12:25 two older brothers at Delsea Regional

2:12:28 uh where I went to high school and

2:12:30 was able to

2:12:32 uh

2:12:33 be substitute teacher there and they

2:12:34 mainly put me in the

2:12:35 they mainly put me in the um

2:12:38 special ed department and that was a

2:12:39 blast. I had a blast every day.

2:12:41 Get to rock those autism awareness

2:12:43 cleats when I can.

2:12:44 And then the the gloves, so hopefully

2:12:47 when I see him again, I'll just gift

2:12:48 them it. It's hard to break that Wilson

2:12:50 glove in. I'm not going to lie.

2:12:54 That's out.

2:12:55 Brian Dancero, the fans have a plan. Can

2:12:57 you hear me? I can hear you.

2:12:59 >> Okay, good. Sorry, I was just making

2:13:00 sure the fans didn't catch that one or

2:13:01 if they did. So, shout out to Delsea

2:13:03 special ed department there and the

2:13:05 teachers there, man, they're great.

2:13:06 Going back and visiting them last year.

2:13:09 Oh, good pickoff from Marshall.

2:13:15 Good throw there, Mason.

2:13:16 Run him down. Run him down.

2:13:19 Ooh, that was trick.

2:13:20 Making good on the one from the last

2:13:22 inning, which by the way got negated.

2:13:24 >> man. That was crazy. Hey, you had the

2:13:25 right idea.

2:13:26 >> Let's go for a trick play here. Let's

2:13:27 see what we got.

2:13:28 >> I would love a trick play from you on

2:13:29 the mic.

2:13:30 0-2 count.

2:13:32 Ground ball. GROUND BALL.

2:13:34 NO, THIS BROKE.

2:13:36 I thought about it for a minute.

2:13:38 Mason got a chance to go back and visit

2:13:40 those great students last year when we

2:13:41 played at Yankee Stadium and you could

2:13:42 see their eyes light up the second that

2:13:44 he got into that classroom. Uh-oh.

2:13:47 Little chin music.

2:13:49 That's a foul.

2:13:52 Good on you knowing the rules.

2:13:56 HEY, CAN WE BUNT AT BANANA BALL? We

2:13:58 cannot. If you bunt, you'll be thrown

2:14:00 out of the game. Swing the bat.

2:14:04 He knows his stuff from the pregame. 2-2

2:14:07 COUNT.

2:14:08 AH. [screaming]

2:14:10 I'M ROOTING YOU FOR YOU, MAN. I'm trying

2:14:12 to will one to you.

2:14:13 >> How are you guys? You guys having fun

2:14:14 today? Heck yeah, man. I've almost lost

2:14:16 my voice a couple different times.

2:14:17 >> All thanks to Keaton's pitching doing

2:14:18 well.

2:14:20 Donny was really good after the first

2:14:22 inning.

2:14:25 We try this one more time.

2:14:27 3-2 count.

2:14:29 Come on, Marsh.

2:14:30 Mason already has a throw out here in

2:14:32 the inning.

2:14:33 Uh-oh. Brian Dancero

2:14:36 I don't think that's out.

2:14:37 >> skies! THAT'S OUT.

2:14:39 >> IT IS OUT!

2:14:40 >> [cheering]

2:14:41 >> BRIAN DANCERO WITH A HOMER over the

2:14:44 Greenville monster.

2:14:45 >> That's all right.

2:14:46 >> [cheering and applause]

2:14:48 >> That is A-okay. The man who didn't know

2:14:51 if he was going to play about 3 hours

2:14:53 before this game

2:14:55 has the big popper. Good pitch, even

2:14:57 better swing, you know?

2:14:59 It's the way it goes.

2:15:02 By the way, we

2:15:03 we found out in spring training that

2:15:05 Mason Maxwell can actually pitch a

2:15:07 little bit. We can.

2:15:08 We didn't know if I was going to throw

2:15:09 out. I guess I'm an emergency guy, but

2:15:11 he saw me throw a little bit earlier

2:15:13 this week. Just having fun with it, man.

2:15:14 His first spring training in he's he's

2:15:16 doing himself light work, folks. He

2:15:18 struck out two and had two scoreless

2:15:20 innings.

2:15:21 I couldn't find a stat on him pitching

2:15:23 >> [laughter]

2:15:23 >> in an actual game.

2:15:25 And he comes in in spring training and

2:15:27 he pitches.

2:15:27 >> was when I when I played with Noah in

2:15:29 Wilmington, I didn't uh

2:15:31 I didn't play much. Uh

2:15:34 I was like a backup. So, then I I got

2:15:36 with this kid that was on our team,

2:15:37 Paxton Brown or Paxton something. But he

2:15:41 uh

2:15:42 Shout out to you, Paxton, wherever you

2:15:43 are. He went to Brown University, really

2:15:45 smart with pitching, so they let me

2:15:46 pitch in like an exhibition game. I lit

2:15:48 it up.

2:15:51 I had [music] a blast with that. So,

2:15:52 then I was just like, yeah, whatever.

2:15:54 Just trying to pitch strikes.

2:15:57 It is what it is.

2:15:59 Here we go. Three balls.

2:16:01 So, a 3-2 count.

2:16:03 Give me something here, Jake.

2:16:04 >> Nice a payoff.

2:16:07 No, double trick.

2:16:09 Armando

2:16:11 got a beat on it. South Racing. COME ON,

2:16:13 ARMANDO. TIP DRILL. FOUL!

2:16:19 THE MAGIC MAN breaks out the hat again.

2:16:21 >> That's how it's done. That's how it's

2:16:22 done. Mason Maxwell, you're the man,

2:16:24 brother. Thank you for doing this. You

2:16:26 got to go ahead. You got to go ahead.

2:16:27 Let's go get your hit, man.

2:16:29 Love Mason Maxwell. Double trick play

2:16:31 for the Fires.

2:16:33 For the clowns to score.

2:16:37 Thanks, Mace.

2:16:39 Gentlemen, here in Clown Town, WE'VE GOT

2:16:41 TO HAVE OUR SOUL. AND SO I WENT looking

2:16:44 for three soul singing grannies and

2:16:46 they're here today and they're going to

2:16:48 all sing a classic. AND WE LIKE TO CALL

2:16:50 THIS ONE GRANDMA GOT SOUL.

2:16:54 GRANNY, are you ready?

2:16:57 Let's do it.

2:17:00 DJ, HIT IT!

2:17:20 All right. All right. All right. GOOD

2:17:22 JOB, GRANNY. GRANNY NUMBER TWO COMING

2:17:24 UP. ARE YOU READY?

2:17:27 DJ, HIT IT!

2:17:53 ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT. THE LAST GRANNY.

2:17:55 ARE YOU READY?

2:17:57 SHE SAYS SHE'S READY. DJ, HIT ME!

2:18:13 >> [music]

2:18:35 [cheering]

2:18:38 >> ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT. NOW

2:18:40 IT'S TIME FOR YOU THE FANS TO THE DECIDE

2:18:43 WHO THE WINNER IS. IS IT GRANNY NUMBER

2:18:45 ONE?

2:18:48 GRANNY NUMBER TWO?

2:18:52 OR IS IT GRANNY NUMBER THREE?

2:18:56 >> [cheering]

2:18:59 >> Thank you, Granny. THEN THANK Y'ALL FOR

2:19:00 TUNING IN FOR GRANDMA GOT

2:19:03 SOUL.

2:19:04 COME ON.

2:19:10 WE THANK MASON Maxwell for joining us on

2:19:12 the mic in the

2:19:14 seventh inning.

2:19:15 Ryan Dancil has made this a one-run

2:19:17 inning for the Indianapolis Clowns. And

2:19:20 hello to Darian McDowell, who's

2:19:22 pinch-hitting here for Lamar Sparks.

2:19:25 Just a second AB

2:19:28 of the series and he's quickly down 0-2.

2:19:34 That was a trick pitch and a half

2:19:36 and it didn't work.

2:19:39 That's that patented behind-the-back

2:19:40 knuckleball.

2:19:43 Darian

2:19:44 keeps that one

2:19:45 foul but saves a life.

2:19:47 Former sixth-round pick

2:19:50 of the San Diego Padres in the 2024

2:19:52 Major League Baseball Draft.

2:19:54 Now with us here in Banana Ball. He

2:19:56 wanted all of that one. Clark

2:19:58 Oh, HE HITS THE JETER IN TIME FOR THE

2:20:00 OUT.

2:20:06 WELL, that was sick.

2:20:09 Darian tried to beat him out there,

2:20:10 wouldn't do it.

2:20:16 Man, that is a tough throw to make. Good

2:20:18 stretch out there from Eli Payton.

2:20:29 Caden Green back in after Dakota

2:20:31 McFadden pinch-hit for him last time.

2:20:34 Peanut flew out in his first plate

2:20:36 appearance. So far, it's his only plate

2:20:37 appearance and he does have a little

2:20:39 streak going. Don't want to jinx it too

2:20:41 much now.

2:20:42 But I'm sure he'd like to keep on base.

2:20:44 1-1 count.

2:20:47 Popped up.

2:20:49 Payton racing over to Jess Edwards. Tip

2:20:52 drill into the netting.

2:20:55 That won't count.

2:21:00 You honor the effort.

2:21:02 By the way

2:21:04 with the FireFighters going

2:21:06 into the double digits now with 11 trick

2:21:08 plays. That is just the fourth time here

2:21:09 on the world tour that they have had

2:21:11 double-digit trick plays.

2:21:14 Only one of those times they did not win

2:21:18 in the equalizer column and that was

2:21:20 against the Savannah Bananas. They had

2:21:22 12 trick plays that day, the Bananas had

2:21:24 18.

2:21:25 Lot of soft contact is

2:21:27 good eye there from Peanut.

2:21:29 Stays alive.

2:21:30 Last time he faced Clark Gilmore, he

2:21:32 struck out in Montgomery. He'd like a

2:21:34 little revenge.

2:21:36 He won't get it there. That is a hard

2:21:38 shot off of the roof.

2:21:47 So we'll try this 2-2 dance one more

2:21:48 time.

2:21:54 That's a little dribbler foul.

2:22:04 One more time into the dirt.

2:22:13 Payoff. PEANUT DARTED INTO the left

2:22:15 field. Nico giving it chase. That'll

2:22:17 land. 10-game hit streak for young Nuts

2:22:20 and he'll get to second base easily.

2:22:24 That dude is a machine.

2:22:28 SO IS THIS GUY. CHIEF!

2:22:33 HE JUST KEEPS GRABBING THE WOOD.

2:22:36 GOOD BOY!

2:22:40 JT, GIVE HIM A TREAT.

2:22:46 Caden Green

2:22:47 just continues to put lumber

2:22:50 on Banana Ball.

2:22:52 Now Armando Becerra can bring in the run

2:22:54 that would again negate the Clowns' a

2:22:56 point and that has been sort of the

2:22:57 story here. Score in the top of the

2:23:00 first, FireFighters respond to deny them

2:23:02 the win.

2:23:03 They score in the sixth, FireFighters

2:23:05 get a run in the bottom half of the

2:23:07 sixth to deny the point. Now a runner in

2:23:10 scoring position, Armando is hungry for

2:23:12 one.

2:23:15 Ouch.

2:23:18 Chris Burgess shaking out the glove.

2:23:20 >> [cheering]

2:23:21 >> 2-1 count. Armando is

2:23:24 a disciplined batter. Very rarely

2:23:26 strikes out

2:23:28 and earns a lot of ball four sprints.

2:23:29 That one

2:23:30 blooped up into left field. Nico

2:23:32 underneath it going for the trick play

2:23:34 and he will haul it on in.

2:23:38 Just the fourth time they've gotten into

2:23:40 the trick play column as Nico Holheiser

2:23:42 calls one in on the tip drill.

2:23:45 And now Mason Maxwell, he said he wants

2:23:46 to get a hit.

2:23:49 He gets one here. And boy, that could be

2:23:51 massive. Clowns' first point hanging in

2:23:54 the balance. Mason fouls it off. And

2:23:56 boy, Chris Burgess has taken a beating

2:23:58 in this inning.

2:24:14 Logan Smith, yes, matching [music] runs

2:24:15 is almost as important as getting

2:24:18 one more run.

2:24:21 Mason, boy, that might have been the one

2:24:22 to go for.

2:24:30 Mason, high into the sky.

2:24:33 La Day, Nico chasing it. LA DAY, OH,

2:24:36 NICO GOES TO THE GROUND AND SECURES THE

2:24:39 OUT and the first point of the game for

2:24:42 the Clowns.

2:24:44 >> [cheering]

2:24:44 >> Last two outs of the inning

2:24:47 go to Nico Holheiser, one on a tip drill

2:24:50 and one right there.

2:24:52 Didn't make it look the prettiest, but

2:24:53 boy, that looked effective.

2:24:55 Let's take a look at the replay.

2:24:59 Yep, and he does keep it in the glove.

2:25:01 Would have been foul either way.

2:25:04 But boy, Nico

2:25:06 making up for

2:25:10 a couple of Ks in the lineup with a

2:25:12 couple of great [music] plays in the

2:25:14 field. And now the reigning pitcher of

2:25:16 the year,

2:25:18 Ben Dunn the Third.

2:25:20 >> [cheering]

2:25:21 >> The silent silencer

2:25:24 of the FireFighters.

2:25:26 There is a reason he was awarded that

2:25:29 >> [cheering]

2:25:31 >> that accomplishment in 2025. You see his

2:25:34 numbers here in 2026,

2:25:36 still just as quick as he's ever been

2:25:38 with a 334 MPI.

2:25:41 >> [cheering]

2:25:42 >> A few more ball four sprints than he'd

2:25:44 like to give up. That ERA a little

2:25:46 indicative of some tough ones at the

2:25:48 start of the year.

2:25:49 But boy, over the last couple of

2:25:50 weekends, he has shoved.

2:25:52 He came in night one, got a punchy to

2:25:55 end the eighth inning and he broke out

2:25:57 that patented shivering, [snorts]

2:25:59 gyrating

2:26:01 fist pump that he does on the mound

2:26:02 where his whole body freezes except for

2:26:04 his fist [music] and his face. He breaks

2:26:06 that out, you know Ben Dunn has did

2:26:07 something special.

2:26:09 And he loads one right in there on a

2:26:11 slider to KB. He takes the second pitch

2:26:13 out to Armando.

2:26:15 Any more trick plays and the

2:26:16 FireFighters are just going to have this

2:26:17 one. The bag is that one. Call it in for

2:26:20 Armando.

2:26:24 His second trick play of the afternoon

2:26:26 is a tip drill right to himself and

2:26:27 quickly went away.

2:26:37 Joe Gray

2:26:38 Ben

2:26:39 flips it with the glove over to Mason

2:26:41 for the out. And boy, if Ben goes

2:26:45 he gets a step on this thing, man, this

2:26:47 could be a sub one minute.

2:26:52 Two outs recorded in basically 35

2:26:54 seconds.

2:26:57 BEN, GET A MOVE ON!

2:27:00 AH, WE'RE GOING TO TICK PAST IT.

2:27:02 Darn it.

2:27:03 He still has the opportunity to get the

2:27:05 fastest inning the FireFighters have had

2:27:06 this year. IF THIS ONE GOES THEIR WAY

2:27:10 Ben

2:27:11 gets caught off. Lacy and Mason,

2:27:14 miscommunication and JBJ is aboard.

2:27:20 We'll call that an infield single

2:27:22 Boy, that sun is glaring down in the

2:27:24 eyes of some of these FireFighters. Ben

2:27:26 couldn't see it immediately. Mason and

2:27:28 Logan couldn't get the communication

2:27:30 right.

2:27:32 To the man who walks up to the gap band.

2:27:34 Excuse me, that's JBJ who actually just

2:27:36 walked up. AND NOW THE SAME EXACT THING.

2:27:38 Do we have some better communication?

2:27:41 FOUL TERRITORY. EJ!

2:27:43 YES, SIR. IN A 1 MINUTE 35 second inning

2:27:47 for Ben Dunn the Third who's put on the

2:27:49 catcher's mask.

2:27:51 Great play from Eric Jones Jr. Right

2:27:53 behind them, Fire Launchers.

2:27:55 That's a tough play to make, man, with

2:27:57 the sun glaring down into your pupils.

2:28:00 Keeps a scoreless frame up there

2:28:04 for the Clowns. Hi, Michael Schwartz

2:28:06 with Andrew Irvine. Hey, Andrew Irvine,

2:28:08 the Iowa guy, [music] getting on the

2:28:09 mound here. What are we looking for? We

2:28:11 got 3 to 1 right now. The late inning

2:28:13 mentality. Uh, we're going to throw

2:28:15 strikes. We're going to try to have a

2:28:16 little velo behind it, throw the

2:28:17 breakers late, get ahead and see what we

2:28:18 can do in these last few innings. Hey,

2:28:20 why do you wear a pink glove? Uh, for my

2:28:21 mom. My mom had breast cancer and she

2:28:23 beat it, so it's for Awesome. I love

2:28:25 that. Awesome. Pitching with purpose.

2:28:26 Zack, back out to you.

2:28:33 Andrew Irvine

2:28:35 strolls on into town.

2:28:39 He's been here for a little bit. He

2:28:40 didn't just stroll into town, folks.

2:28:45 This is such

2:28:48 a cool moment here as we sing home.

2:28:51 He's got the pink

2:28:53 glove

2:28:55 in honor of breast cancer for [music]

2:28:56 his mother.

2:28:59 Certainly a very special moment for the

2:29:01 Irvine family.

2:29:06 His mother Stacy played basketball at

2:29:08 Iowa Central.

2:29:10 Now being honored

2:29:12 by her great son out of the mound.

2:29:15 As we sing home here at Fluor Field,

2:29:19 it's a great moment

2:29:25 here in Greenville.

2:29:30 >> [applause and cheering]

2:29:51 >> So as we go from the emotions of singing

2:29:54 home and Andrew Irvine with a beautiful

2:29:56 tribute, we now go

2:29:58 to the guy who has had one heck of a

2:30:01 ball game here in South Tremble.

2:30:08 Smoke

2:30:09 looks at one going in. And let's play a

2:30:12 little banana ball here in the eighth

2:30:13 inning. Firefighters

2:30:15 really have

2:30:17 a stranglehold on the trick play column.

2:30:19 It's 12 to 4. Unless the clowns have a

2:30:21 miracle,

2:30:23 it's going to be a real tough one

2:30:26 to get back as that one is in for a

2:30:27 strike. The next time they get an out,

2:30:29 if it's not a trick play, that [music]

2:30:30 officially does it. They won't get that

2:30:32 equalizer point. South looks at strike

2:30:34 two. It's a two-two count.

2:30:36 South today

2:30:37 holding number of trick plays. He's been

2:30:39 hit by a pitch

2:30:40 and a walk-off single

2:30:43 to his credits.

2:30:45 What just happened to my voice? Credits.

2:30:48 South chin music. Another ball four

2:30:50 sprint and shoot out. This time to

2:30:52 smoke.

2:30:53 Usually a designated runner. Though he's

2:30:55 smart on the base paths, so he'll just

2:30:57 stay right at first.

2:31:05 We have battled the clock the last

2:31:07 couple of games. I don't think we're

2:31:09 going to do that today. There's 10

2:31:10 minutes on the clock, but we are in the

2:31:11 bottom of the eighth. A much faster,

2:31:13 more smooth game here for both these

2:31:15 teams, especially from last night

2:31:18 where there were literal puddles forming

2:31:20 at home plate. Little almost a build-up

2:31:22 of a lake at home plate. Again, the

2:31:25 grounds crew here cannot say enough good

2:31:26 things about what they did as Noah

2:31:27 Bridges

2:31:29 puts that one

2:31:31 above the roof. So we'll play on.

2:31:34 One-one count.

2:31:41 Noah steps a little bit away from home

2:31:42 plate there and takes ball two. South by

2:31:44 the way hit by pitch, walk-off single,

2:31:47 ball four sprints. And then we'll count

2:31:49 him here as Noah

2:31:51 fouls one off again.

2:31:53 He's got himself three trick plays

2:31:56 on the day.

2:31:59 >> [music]

2:32:04 >> South playing games over at first.

2:32:07 Andrew thought that one was good.

2:32:14 So it's full and a ball four sprints.

2:32:17 Got out of the gates late. Noah is

2:32:19 easily going to get to second. South

2:32:22 will stay at third.

2:32:25 So a two-base ball four sprint. By the

2:32:27 way, we are seeing the first three picks

2:32:30 of the third inning of the banana of the

2:32:31 firefighter lineup draft here on April

2:32:33 26th.

2:32:39 Not been the start Andrew Irvine would

2:32:41 have liked here in this inning.

2:32:43 He pitched just a third

2:32:46 back on Friday night, gave up two hits

2:32:47 and three runs as Tiny right out to JBJ.

2:32:51 SOUTH IS COMING HOME AND THAT'S going to

2:32:53 do the job. TINY, WHAT CAN'T THAT MAN

2:32:56 DO? Three singles and a walk-off

2:33:00 on the last one.

2:33:02 Firefighters lead 4-1 and they have

2:33:04 denied the equalizer point officially.

2:33:06 Hey, we're going to try this push-up

2:33:08 thing with Bo again BECAUSE HE WANTS

2:33:09 MORE PUMPS.

2:33:29 GET AFTER IT, BO. GET AFTER IT, BO.

2:33:35 THAT MAN WENT THROUGH [music] LITERAL

2:33:36 fire in Scottsdale. You think some

2:33:39 push-ups are going to give him any

2:33:40 issue?

2:33:43 We are in the final inning. The

2:33:45 Firefighters lead it 4-1 in what has

2:33:47 been a dominating performance today.

2:33:50 Both with the offense, but especially

2:33:52 their defense. After a night where it

2:33:54 was really tough to field with all the

2:33:56 rain and monsoon, they have just done

2:33:58 the job. 12 trick plays, great pitching

2:34:02 from the likes of Jared Donaldson, Brian

2:34:04 Trepanier,

2:34:06 Ben Dollard, Marshall Shill. And now the

2:34:09 man who will close it out

2:34:11 is about ready to give us something

2:34:13 special.

2:34:23 >> [music]

2:34:49 [music]

2:35:00 [music]

2:35:09 [music]

2:35:14 >> Now pitching number 50 number 95, Johnny

2:35:18 >> that beautiful Dalmatian bat dog,

2:35:21 but he does hope he can catch the final

2:35:24 inning here cleanly.

2:35:25 Stepping on the closer of the Fire and

2:35:28 Flames, Mason Maxwell at first HITTING

2:35:31 THE JEFF HARDY.

2:35:33 Let's go.

2:35:35 Johnny going to quickly slip on that

2:35:37 bandana

2:35:39 and go to work.

2:35:43 This is a dude, to say the very least,

2:35:47 when he's on the mound. The man who we

2:35:49 know is Lightning because of his

2:35:50 infatuation with the movie Cars.

2:35:54 You put him out there,

2:35:56 you are asking for a guy

2:36:01 to get a save.

2:36:15 >> [cheering]

2:36:16 >> Had a visiting drum line come up, tried

2:36:18 to ask if they could play.

2:36:20 Sorry for that.

2:36:22 Love those guys, but uh

2:36:23 >> [music]

2:36:24 >> got to do him a job here. Johnny Hummel

2:36:26 4.25 ERA.

2:36:28 3.24 ERA.

2:36:31 Pitched an inning and a third. And man,

2:36:32 the banana ball opened too. He was

2:36:35 all kinds of special, especially in

2:36:37 Albuquerque. Two scoreless innings.

2:36:39 Probably should have had two showdown

2:36:40 shutouts.

2:36:43 Setting just had one. Came up Friday

2:36:45 night, little bit of trouble, gave up a

2:36:47 run that resulted in the tying point for

2:36:49 the clowns in the ninth frame, but

2:36:50 Dalton Cornett erased that. [music] And

2:36:52 now the clowns have an opportunity

2:36:55 to get something going here.

2:37:00 You're good.

2:37:02 Logan Lacey's good. Over to first. YES,

2:37:04 SIR.

2:37:07 THAT WAS FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME. Logan

2:37:10 Lacey with a ninth inning call it in.

2:37:16 I bet you anything [music] that is some

2:37:17 muscle memory right there.

2:37:34 Nico swings for that one like he needed

2:37:36 everything.

2:37:41 One-one. Inside.

2:37:55 Boy, that looked awful good. AJ's frame

2:37:57 job was there.

2:37:59 Johnny runs with a fastball, a slider,

2:38:02 curveball, a one-seam sinker every now

2:38:03 and then, and a splitter.

2:38:06 And he's worked that one into the sky.

2:38:09 Mason Maxwell chasing it. Can he get to

2:38:12 it? Oh, man, ran out of room.

2:38:15 If the real estate would have worked

2:38:17 out,

2:38:19 that would have been something.

2:38:24 But we'll make it a three-two count.

2:38:38 Nico earns the ball four sprints.

2:38:42 So he'll get across.

2:38:52 So, right now the Firefighters have

2:38:54 three points of room to play with. They

2:38:55 have 13 trick plays to the four for the

2:38:57 Clowns. There's no equalizer point

2:38:59 that's going to be awarded here today,

2:39:00 folks.

2:39:01 Clock not an issue.

2:39:03 Johnny's got an opportunity for a

2:39:04 [music] double play that can get him out

2:39:05 of this one.

2:39:06 Chris Burgess watches strike one go.

2:39:17 Beautiful. Beautiful moving pitch.

2:39:20 Makes it no two count.

2:39:23 Fisher Polland off with an umbrella. No

2:39:25 rain here, but some shade. Double play

2:39:27 with ended. Peanut, Tiny, LITTLE TROUBLE

2:39:31 DIGS IT OUT. DOUBLE PLAY AND THAT'S YOUR

2:39:33 GAME.

2:39:36 >> [cheering]

2:39:36 >> A GREAT DIG OUT from Mason Maxwell first

2:39:40 and the Firefighters have won the series

2:39:43 over the Indianapolis Clowns. A 4-1

2:39:47 victory here

2:39:48 in their Sunday Fest. It's their fifth

2:39:52 win in a row on the Sabbath and oh, by

2:39:54 the way, I told you remind me about that

2:39:57 stat I was going to tell you about

2:39:58 earlier. Didn't want to jinx it. Now I

2:40:00 won't. They are 5 and 0 when they wear

2:40:03 those beautiful red uniforms.

2:40:06 A dominant performance for the Fire and

2:40:09 Flames. Now,

2:40:11 GIVE IT TO FIRE.

2:40:31 >> [cheering]

2:40:33 >> That was a thing of beauty.

2:40:36 The Firefighters

2:40:38 come out with intentions, with purpose,

2:40:42 with aggression. And tonight they didn't

2:40:44 need that gritty mentality

2:40:46 >> [cheering]

2:40:47 >> that we've come to know and love from

2:40:48 them. They just needed the way they

2:40:51 play. A 4-1 victory

2:40:54 for the Fire and Flames.

2:40:57 Off the back of a five-inning start from

2:41:00 Jared Donaldson who struck out three,

2:41:03 gave up four hits and two ball four

2:41:05 sprints and just one run of damage

2:41:07 today. He was sparkling on the mound.

2:41:09 He'll get the winning

2:41:11 point there for the pitchers. Nick

2:41:13 Wilson takes the loss.

2:41:15 But this was an excellent performance

2:41:17 for JARED DONALDSON AS IT WAS FOR SAL

2:41:19 TRIMBLE. MICHAEL Schwartz is with the

2:41:20 Magic Man. Sal, guys, the Magic Man, two

2:41:23 runs in this game.

2:41:25 That was some heat. That was some magic

2:41:26 in the outfield. And the first pick in

2:41:29 the Firefighters April 26th draft. What

2:41:32 a day. What is that? You know, just

2:41:33 honored and grateful to be here with

2:41:35 this team, with the Firefighters. You

2:41:37 know, we work so hard each and every day

2:41:39 to bring the fans a show and we showed

2:41:41 out this weekend. Another question for

2:41:42 you, a little philosophical. What's

2:41:44 life?

2:41:45 What's life? Life is the uh

2:41:49 product of I don't know. I didn't learn

2:41:51 that in school. Okay. Last question,

2:41:53 this comes from Banana Ball backstage,

2:41:55 12-year-old Kobe. What is your favorite

2:41:58 Tik Tok dance or position? Ooh. Favorite

2:42:01 Tik Tok dance? UM

2:42:04 IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT THE FAVORITE TIK

2:42:05 TOK

2:42:08 IT DOESN'T MATTER. IT DOESN'T MATTER.

2:42:12 WE'LL SEE YOU

2:42:13 WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

2:42:19 SAL TRIMBLE, HE WAS THE first pick

2:42:23 of inning three in the Firefighter

2:42:25 lineup draft on April 26th and he more

2:42:27 than earned it. One for one, but don't

2:42:29 let that fool you. He was hit by a

2:42:31 pitch.

2:42:32 He scored a ball four sprint to his name

2:42:34 as well, an RBI for a walk-off [music]

2:42:36 and two runs and just a host of trick

2:42:38 plays, a trio of them in right field.

2:42:41 Sal Trimble is a heck of a lot more than

2:42:44 just an entertainment player, a heck of

2:42:46 a lot more than just a magician. That

2:42:49 man

2:42:50 is the Firefighters and tonight

2:42:53 today I should say, he was simply magic.

2:42:56 The Firefighters are the winners

2:42:59 with a really dominant performance.

2:43:02 Was it the explosive offense [music]

2:43:03 that we've come to know and love from

2:43:05 them?

2:43:06 But nine hits, really good. Six runs,

2:43:08 that's all they needed. The 13 trick

2:43:10 plays are what we're going to focus on

2:43:12 here because it completely took out the

2:43:14 Clowns early and on it. That's something

2:43:17 the Firefighters struggled with at the

2:43:18 beginning of the year, but they're the

2:43:19 greatest team in the [music] league for

2:43:21 a reason. They learn from their mistakes

2:43:24 and boy, they did today. Val Perez has

2:43:26 herself a ball club and then some.

2:43:28 They're eight and six. By the way, this

2:43:31 team started 0 and 3.

2:43:34 0 and 3. They have won eight of their

2:43:36 last 11. They've already eclipsed the

2:43:38 most wins they've ever had on a world

2:43:40 tour. Simply put, this Firefighter team

2:43:42 as it stands is rewriting its own

2:43:45 history books. They are an incredible

2:43:47 bunch and they showed it here today with

2:43:49 a dominant performance over the

2:43:50 Indianapolis Clowns who you give a lot

2:43:52 of credit to. They're going through some

2:43:54 things off the side with injuries. They

2:43:56 did not have a full lineup today. Carell

2:43:57 Prime not here today because of a

2:43:59 wedding. There was a lot of stuff the

2:44:00 Clowns were fighting through. You give

2:44:01 them a ton of credit for what they did

2:44:03 yesterday with 19 runs in a seven-inning

2:44:05 affair, but the Firefighters respond

2:44:08 with that old dominance that we've come

2:44:10 to expect. And next week, we're going

2:44:12 back to where the Firefighters started

2:44:14 their headlining tour last year. Their

2:44:16 first home game ever was in Richmond,

2:44:19 Virginia. Guess what? Get to go back

2:44:21 there next weekend to CarMax Park, the

2:44:23 brand new one. Won't be playing at the

2:44:25 Diamond this year. CarMax Park in

2:44:27 Richmond. That'll be on Friday at 7:00.

2:44:30 You can catch that on the Firefighters

2:44:31 YouTube page. And look, we got a couple

2:44:33 other games going on. Coconuts and Party

2:44:34 Animals in Las Vegas

2:44:36 are still playing at Yankee Stadium. I

2:44:38 believe the Coconuts and Tailgaters

2:44:39 might have just wrapped up or they're

2:44:40 still playing actually in Amarillo. Time

2:44:42 zones. What are they? What are they

2:44:44 really? They're just time zones. But for

2:44:46 the Firefighters, they take a little bit

2:44:48 of an extra stranglehold on that second

2:44:50 place spot in the Banana Ball

2:44:52 Championship League standings and they

2:44:53 get another win. Eight of their last 11

2:44:56 have gone the way of the Fire and

2:44:57 [music] Flames. They're five and 0 in

2:44:59 those beautiful red uniforms and they

2:45:00 are just finding ways to win. Whether

2:45:02 comes from their All-Stars like Logan

2:45:04 Lacey or their entertainment players

2:45:06 like Sal Trimble. It has been a joy, a

2:45:08 blast, a pleasure being with you here in

2:45:10 the Paul Meadows State of Greenville,

2:45:12 South Carolina at Fluor Field. [music]

2:45:14 5,500 of our best friends pouring in

2:45:17 today to see a beautiful game on a

2:45:19 beautiful day. Our great crew led by the

2:45:21 wonderful Chadwick Folkestad as the

2:45:23 producer, our executive producer Josh

2:45:25 Richardson, the great director Alex

2:45:27 Gross who has put up with a ton this

2:45:28 week and has done a terrific job leading

2:45:30 our great team. Our statistician is

2:45:32 Blake O'Hair, the man calling the shots

2:45:34 down on the field, the Sheriff Garrett

2:45:36 DeClue. For Michael Schwartz and I think

2:45:39 Matty Warren still here somehow.

2:45:41 For those two on the sidelines, I'm Zach

2:45:43 [music] Staten. We'll see you next week

2:45:45 in the capital of the Commonwealth. The

2:45:47 Firefighters take the series against the

2:45:49 Clowns. We'll see you next weekend.

2:45:51 Until then, REMEMBER, FIRE UP, BABY!

2:45:55 >> [screaming]

2:45:56 >> YES, SIR. FIGHTERS WIN. SEE YOU NEXT

2:45:58 WEEK. in the zone

2:46:02 in the zone

2:46:07 in the zone

2:46:13 in the zone

2:46:16 in the zone

2:46:20 in the zone

2:46:24 in the zone

2:46:28 in the zone

2:46:29 >> [music]

2:46:33 >> in the zone

2:46:38 in the zone

2:46:41 in the zone

2:46:46 in the zone

2:46:46 >> [music]

2:46:51 >> in the zone

2:46:53 >> [music]

2:46:56 >> in the zone

2:47:00 in the zone

2:47:04 in the zone

2:47:09 in the zone

2:47:14 in the zone

2:47:19 in the zone

2:47:24 in the zone