BANANAS ADD 1 MORE GAME TO TOUR

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On October 4th the Bananas announced the schedule for their 2023 Banana Ball World Tour, which will bring the young sport of Banana Ball to 33 different cities and had 70 games in total.

Due to an immense demand for tickets the tour will now be 74 games in total as the Bananas are adding games on these dates:

  • 1:00pm on Sunday, March 5th, in 121 Financial Ballpark, Jacksonville, Florida
  • 7:00pm on Saturday, April 22nd, in GoMart Ballpark, Charleston, West Virginia
  • 7:00pm on Thursday, May 4th, in Legends Field, Kansas City, Kansas
  • 7:00pm on Saturday, June 3rd, in Nashville, Tennessee. In Jacksonville and Nashville the Bananas will be playing their arch rival the Party Animals.

In Kansas City the Bananas will be taking on the Kansas City Monarchs from the American Association and in Charleston their opponent will be the Charleston Dirty Birds from the Atlantic League.

“The demand for tickets from Bananas fans has certainly exceeded our expectations,” said Owner Jesse Cole. “So we are glad that we could add extra nights in Jacksonville, Kansas City, Charleston and Nashville to take care of our fans.

”Fans who want the opportunity to be a part of the 2023 Banana Ball World Tour should visit www.thesavannahbananas.com/ticketsand join the Ticket Priority List or to get information on outings for their group, organization, or business.

PITCH CLOCKS ADDED IN 2023

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The Board of Directors of the American Association of Professional Baseball has voted to institute pitch clocks as part of effort to address pace of play. The change is effective for the 2023 season.

The American Association pitch clocks will follow the same rules being instituted in Major League Baseball in 2023. Those rules include:

  • Pitchers will have 15 seconds to deliver a pitch with the bases empty.
  • Pitchers will have 20 seconds to deliver a pitch with runners on base.
  • The pitcher must begin his motion before the pitch clock expires or be charged with an automatic ball.
  • Batters must be prepared to receive a pitch in the batter’s box with at least eight seconds remaining. Batters who violate the pitch clock will be charged with an automatic strike.
  • There shall be a 30 second timer between batters
  • Pitchers will be allowed to step off the rubber or attempt a pick-off move twice per batter. If a third attempt to pick-off a runner is unsuccessful, the runner automatically advances one base.
  • The step-off/pick-off limit resets if a runner or runners advance during the plate appearance.

In 2022, the American Association average game time reached three hours and eleven minutes (3:11) and has been on an upward trajectory for over a decade. Pitch clocks were utilized on a trial-basis throughout Minor League Baseball in 2022, which resulted in an average savings of 26 minutes per game.

“We believe a move to pitch clocks was a logical evolution based on the data gathered in affiliated baseball. We further believe this will return the game to what it once was when it became America’s pastime.” said American Association Commissioner Joshua Schaub. “As evidenced by the increased pace of play and little to no effect on on-field play, the rousing success in Minor League Baseball can be duplicated in the American Association. The fan experience is first and foremost on our minds at all times and our clubs are excited to begin instituting these new timers in their ballparks to provide the best fan experience.”

Each ballpark will be equipped with three Daktronics pitch clocks. Two will be located behind home plate. The third clock will be located in the outfield. Exact outfield installation location will be determined by each club.

The American Association is the premier MLB Partner League in North America. The 12-team circuit will open the 2023 season on May 11. For more information on the American Association, please visit www.aabaseball.com or our social media channels.

MONARCHS ANNOUNCE 2023 SCHEDULE

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The Kansas City Monarchs have announced their 100-game schedule for the 2023 season. The team is set to open the season on the road at Sioux City (Iowa) on May 12th against the Explorers with the home opener and opening night on tap for May 19th against the Sioux Falls Canaries.

“We’re excited to announce our 2023 season. In the 2023 season we look to build on the successes from last year, learn from our mistakes and play the best baseball in the state of Kansas. We play for Kansas City and look forward to seeing all our friends and fans out at Legends Field next season. Come join the Monarchy,” said Monarchs owner Mark Brandmeyer.

The “Monarchy” returns in 2023 with a schedule that includes 50 home dates with eight weekends of Monarchs excitement at Legends Field in Kansas City, Kansas. The Monarchs will also celebrate the 4th of July at Legends Field hosting the Sioux Falls Canaries, and they will also be home for Labor Day weekend to close out the regular season against the Lake Country DockHounds on September 1st – 4th.

The 2023 American Association division format will not change with the Monarchs once again in the West Division. Joining the Monarchs in the West Division members are the Fargo-Moorhead (ND/MN) RedHawks, Lincoln (NE) Saltdogs, Sioux City (IA) Explorers, Sioux Falls (SD) Canaries and Winnipeg (MB) Goldeyes. The East Division is comprised of the Chicago Dogs, Cleburne (TX) Railroaders, Gary SouthShore (IN) RailCats, Kane County (IL) Cougars, Lake Country (WI) DockHounds and Milwaukee Milkmen.

The Monarchs will play 62 games against the West Division with 31 games at home and 31 games on the road. The remaining 38 games will come against the East Division with Kansas City playing 19 home games and 19 road games against the East.

For the second straight year, the season will also feature the highlight of Monarchs hosting the Savannah Bananas as part of the Bananas World Tour on May 5th and 6th at Legends Field. Currently, fans that purchase any 2023 Monarchs Ticket Package (6-game, 12-game, half season, full season) will get on the priority list to purchase Bananas tickets BEFORE they go on sale to the public. (Priority access members will be notified when they are able to purchase Bananas tickets In 2023).

Currently, fans that purchase any 2023 Monarchs Ticket Package (6-game, 12-game, half season, full season) will get on the priority list to purchase Bananas tickets BEFORE they go on sale to the public. (Priority access members will be notified when they are able to purchase Bananas tickets In 2023).

The American Association playoff format will remain unchanged in the race for the 2023 Miles Wolff Cup. The top four teams in each division will advance to the playoffs. The club that wins the division in the regular season will pick their first-round opponent from the qualifiers within the division in the best-of-three Division Playoff Series. The second round Division Championship Series will also be a best-of-three series. The Miles Wolff Cup Finals will culminate in the crowning of a league champion in a best-of-five series.

The Monarchs will announce game times, promotional schedule, and preseason exhibition games and times at a later date. All 100 Monarchs games including all 50 road games can be heard once again on the Monarchs Broadcast Network. Stay tuned to monarchs baseball.com. and the Monarchs Facebook and Twitter pages for updates throughout the season.

Season tickets for the Kansas City Monarchs can be purchased by calling 913-328-5618 or by visiting monarchsbaseball.com. Purchase your Monarchs plan today! For additional information or interview requests, members of the media may contact the Monarchs Media Relations Department at (817) 739-3693.

LISTEN TO ALL MONARCHS GAMES LIVE ON THE MONARCHS BROADCAST NETWORK

BY: DAN VAUGHAN