Savannah Bananas star, Butler grad Alex Ziegler did bat tricks, danced with his mom and relished his homecoming: ‘I’m in my element’
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler native Alex Ziegler balances a baseball bat before his turn at bat during a game against Texas Tailgaters on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Butler native Alex Ziegler and his mom Mary Jane dance on home plate in a game against Texas Tailgaters on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler native Alex Ziegler balances a baseball bat before his turn at bat during a game against Texas Tailgaters on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Butler native Alex Ziegler and his mom Mary Jane dance on home plate in a game against Texas Tailgaters on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Savannah Bananas and the Texas Tailgaters entertained a sold-out crowd of over 40,000 people in a game on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
View and purchase Eagle photos at photos.butlereagle.com
PITTSBURGH — For Butler graduate Alex Ziegler, home is where Banana Land is.
His home was in his hometown over the weekend.
Ziegler, 31, a member of the Savannah Bananas — a traveling baseball circus wrapped around a game — since 2022, played for the team in their PNC Park debut Friday and Saturday night.
The Bananas played the Texas Tailgaters — one of three other teams that travel with them — in front of sold-out crowds of 40,000 on both nights.
“I came to so many games here when I was a kid,” said Ziegler, who’s nickname is “Ziggy” on the team. “So many memories ... when I came up to bat (Friday), heard and felt that ovation when my name was announced ... man, I got goosebumps.”
It also came three months after Bruce Ziegler, Alex’s dad, was pronounced cancer free after his third bout with the disease since 2020. Ziegler and his teammates don’t play baseball — not in the sport’s purest form, at least.
“This isn’t baseball. It’s Banana Ball!” a verbal message was shouted over the public address system before the game started.
And it was bananas.
Between one inning, nine babies crawled across the infield, toward their mothers waiting at the finish line, in what was termed “the slowest race in the world” by Bananas founder and owner Jesse Cole. Heavy-set men comprising the cheerleading squad known as the Man-Nanas did routines on the field, Princess Potassia regaled the crowd with a song and 40,000 fans sang along in unison to piped-in music while the game was going on.
There was a “pull down pants race” as two men wearing four pants raced around the bases, where family members stationed at each base pulled down each racers’ pants.
The was a dancing plate umpire.
Butler native Alex Ziegler balances a baseball bat before his turn at bat during a game against Texas Tailgaters on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Something besides baseball was going on all the time.
“It’s all about fun,” Ziegler said. “All my life, I wanted to play professional baseball or be an entertainer. I‘m doing both. I’m in my element here.”
One of the Banana Ball rules is if a fan catches a foul ball, the batter’s out. Ziegler was retired that way on his first at-bat Friday night.
“I couldn’t believe it,” he said, laughing. “I mean, they could have dropped it. No home field advantage here.”
His next at-bat, Ziegler lined a single to right field.
“The way the crowd reacted, getting a hit in this ballpark, it just didn’t feel real,” Ziegler said.
“Anytime someone is able to play for us in his hometown major league park, it’s special to him, very meaningful,” Cole said. “Ziggy is loving this.”
A standout outfielder for the Golden Tornado, Ziegler went on to play baseball at California (Pa.) University. Injuries derailed his career there. He had not played baseball for seven years when Cole reached out to him about joining the Bananas.
Ziegler had posted videos of himself doing bat tricks and balancing various items on his nose. Cole saw those videos.
“My dad was my Little League coach, and he used to balance a bat on his nose,” Ziegler said. “I was like, why are you doing that? He had me try it, and I’ve been doing it since I was 12.”
It’s paid off.
During the pre-game activities Saturday night, Ziegler stood on top of the first base dugout and balanced a bat on his nose. Then he balanced a rose, then a baseball cap a fan tossed to him. He balanced a giant 30-pound baseball bat on his chin, and a ladder while standing near home plate, drawing a thunderous ovation.
Butler native Alex Ziegler and his mom Mary Jane dance on home plate in a game against Texas Tailgaters on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, at PNC Park. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Two former Pittsburgh Pirates — Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez — made guest plate appearances for the Bananas in Saturday’s game. Wilson grounded back to the mound, the pitcher throwing behind his back to retire him at first base. Sanchez popped out to right field, the outfielder doing a back flip as he caught the ball.
“I came to watch those guys play when I was a kid. Now I got to meet them, hang out with them,” Ziegler said. “They are awesome guys. They made me feel like we’ve been friends for years.”
As Ziegler strode to the plate for his second at-bat Saturday, his mother, Mary Jane Ziegler, awaited him there. The two embraced and did a brief dance together before Ziegler stepped into the batter’s box.
“She was all nervous about being on the field, told me she didn’t know how to do any dance,” Ziegler said. “I told her to relax, just vibe with the music. It’s all about fun here. That was going to be a cool moment.”
Ziegler’s plate appearances didn’t go as well Saturday. He was robbed of a hit by a diving catch in right field and grounded into a double play.
But his weekend was a rousing success — and the Bananas won both games, not that it mattered to anyone in attendance.
Earlier in the week, he and the other Banana player from the Pittsburgh area— shortstop Ryan Cox from Aliquippa — put on a youth baseball clinic.
“It was at a friend’s facility and 350 kids showed up,” Ziegler said. “We did Banana Ball stuff. It was wild.”
Ziegler was given 50 tickets for family and friends each night. More than that showed up.
“I’ve run into former college teammates, high school friends I haven’t seen in years,” Ziegler said. “This has been a blast.”
The Bananas have as much fun having Ziegler around as he has being around them.
“We’re all about entertainment, and Ziggy has raised the bar in that sense,” Cole said. “We put him at first base and he catches throws behind his back. The tricks he can do with the bat, the balancing stuff. ... Our goal had always been to present a unique experience people would yearn to see.
“We figured it out, and he’s been a big part of that.”
“I’m one of the oldest guys here, but I fit right in,” Ziegler said. “These guys are my brothers. Growing up, I just wanted to be happy and make my parents proud. I feel like I’m doing that.”
