Featured

Banana Ball: Best moments from Saturday's Party Animals vs. Texas Tailgaters game

Bryson Bloomer, left, and Noah Fisher of the Party Animals celebrate their victory over the Texas Tailgaters in a“Banana Ball” game Saturday at Isotopes Park.

People light up the stands with their cell phones during "Banana Ball," the Party Animals headlining tour against the Texas Tailgaters at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Party Animals won the game in a thrilling showdown.

Nick Lopez of the Texas Tailgaters soars through the air to home plate during "Banana Ball," the Party Animals headlining tour at the Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Party Animals clinched the victory during a thrilling showdown.

Christina Lopez, Lilly Lopez, 6, and Justin Lopez watch the game during the “Banana Ball” of the Party Animals headlining tour at the Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Party Animals clinched the victory during a thrilling showdown.

Mahlet Habteyes Mahlet Habteyes Mahlet Habteyes Journal Staff Writer

Published May 24, 2025 - 10:17 p.m. Modified May 25, 2025 - 7:22 p.m.

The Banana Ball World Tour brought its signature blend of athletic skill and pure entertainment magic to the Duke City on Saturday, leaving fans laughing, cheering and wondering why baseball isn't this fun all the time.

In front a sold-out crowd at Isotopes Park, the Party Animals won a thriller over the Texas Tailgaters in the Tailgaters' inaugural contest. The teams will play again Sunday afternoon.

Here are the top moments that had the crowd going bananas on Saturday:

1. Pint-sized power at the plate

The evening's first pitch got a twist when a young fan was selected to take the ceremonial first swing. The kid stepped up to the plate with the confidence of a seasoned slugger, drawing huge cheers from both teams' dugouts and setting the tone for a night full of fan participation.

2. Baby's first 'bottle service'

In perhaps the most adorable moment of the night, players brought an infant and his parent to the field and decided to provide some premium bottle service — baby style. The baby was given a bottle of milk while an entire section erupted in cheers. The littled fan in attendance seemed unimpressed by all the fanfare, but parents and fans were all laughing.

3. 'Pie my dad' is the clear choice

One of the evening's biggest laughs came when a young fan was brought onto the field with his father and given a choice: free T-shirt or pie his dad in the face. Without hesitation, the kid chose chaos over cotton. When asked to confirm, he doubled down: "Pie my dad!" The crowd roared its approval, and the dad took his fate like a champ.

4. Battle of the fanbases: Finish that tune

The Texas Tailgaters and Party Animals fans got competitive during an impromptu "finish the song" contest that had sections of the stadium trying to out-sing each other. Tailgaters fans occupied one section while Party Animals supporters claimed another, with each group tasked with completing popular song lyrics.

5. Food fight? More like food flight

True to their name, the Texas Tailgaters took fan service to new heights by literally tossing free food into the crowd. Fans scrambled for flying snacks in what looked like the world's most organized food fight, with everyone laughing as they tried to catch their dinner mid-air.