Two former Chesapeake College baseball players are making their debut this season in the Banana Ball Championship League.

This fall Allan Saathoff was drafted by the Savannah Bananas and Dayan Reinoso was selected by the Indianapolis Clowns. Both men played Major League Baseball at the major and minor league levels in previous seasons.

“We are so proud of Allan and Dayan being able to continue their careers on one of the most exciting stages baseball has to offer,” said Chesapeake College Director of Academic Advising Daniel Miller, who worked with the players as an assistant Skipjacks baseball coach. “Both of these young men were outstanding athletes during their time at Chesapeake, but what really set them apart was their calm demeanor both on and off the field. We look forward to watching them bring a spark to baseball that everyone around the country can enjoy. We can’t wait to see what unique talents they bring to Banana Ball!”

Dayan Reinoso

Banana Ball is where fun and games intersect, making it a fast-growing sport with nationwide appeal. Teams travel the country and play in sold-out stadiums. The teams play professional-level baseball, but each game also includes spontaneous entertainment on the diamond, the sidelines and the stands.

While they have traditional skill practices and strength training, Mr. Reinoso and Mr. Saathoff have added dance technique and choreography to the line-up. They spend time each week in both practices and rehearsals.

The two former Skipjacks recently opened their seasons in Tallahassee, Fla. The Banana season, which runs until early October, will take the players throughout the country from Eugene, Ore. to the Bronx, N.Y.

As they prepared for the 2026 season, Reinoso and Saathoff said they were looking forward to the extensive travel and meeting fans around the country.

Both men say they are grateful to continue their baseball careers and that they are enjoying the new challenges.

“In this league, we put the fans first. I really like that concept,” Mr. Saathoff said. “We’re playing baseball, of course, but we also focus on giving the fans a great experience. The interaction we have with the fans is great, and we feel like we’re having a positive impact.”

Mr. Reinoso agreed, “The baseball is just as competitive, but we think about more than just the games. I like meeting fans and seeing how much they enjoy what we do. In professional baseball, the fan contact is minimal. Now, there’s a lot of interaction and it feels more social.”

To see Banana Ball and learn more about the league, visit the team’s online schedule.