{"id":132109,"date":"2026-05-17T10:17:12","date_gmt":"2026-05-17T13:17:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/former-mlb-champion-is-banana-ball-trend-setter-inspiration-for-indianapolis-clowns-so-much-more\/"},"modified":"2026-05-17T10:17:16","modified_gmt":"2026-05-17T13:17:16","slug":"former-mlb-champion-is-banana-ball-trend-setter-inspiration-for-indianapolis-clowns-so-much-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/former-mlb-champion-is-banana-ball-trend-setter-inspiration-for-indianapolis-clowns-so-much-more\/","title":{"rendered":"Former MLB champion is Banana Ball trend-setter, inspiration for Indianapolis Clowns, so much more"},"content":{"rendered":"


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INDIANAPOLIS \u2014 As the second man up for the Indianapolis Clowns<\/a>, Jackie Bradley Jr.<\/a> walked up to the batter\u2019s box and got a loud pop from the hometown crowd Saturday night.<\/p>\n

The former World Series champion with the Boston Red Sox<\/a> connected on the ball that dropped into left field. Bradley tried for a double but got tagged as he slid to second base against the Party Animals.<\/p>\n

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That out would cause stress in the traditional game of baseball, but Banana Ball<\/a> is a game where fun is constant.<\/p>\n

Minutes after his first appearance at the plate, the song \u201cBillie Jean\u201d by Michael Jackson hit the airwaves at Principal Park. Bradley, who was near the on-deck circle, swayed with the rhythm.<\/p>\n

The 36-year-old Gold Glove winner is the latest star in a storied Clowns organization<\/a> that was ingrained in the Negro Leagues and featured baseball icons like Hank Aaron and Satchel Paige. As well as Toni Stone, who was the first woman to play professional baseball full-time at a major level.<\/p>\n

Bradley is the first former MLB player to play full-time to Banana Ball. During final contest of a two-game headlining series in Indianapolis, Bradley channeled the game\u2019s history while he added entertainment flair.<\/p>\n

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\u201cJust being able to pay homage,\u201d Bradley said on joining the Clowns. \u201cKnowing what the Indianapolis Clowns meant to all of us as an organization and making sure that I wanted to pay my respects to them to be a part of this, and I also get an opportunity to be young again.<\/p>\n

\u201cI get to hang out with a lot of young players and they\u2019re keeping me young, keeping me invested and making sure my mind stays working pretty well.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Indianapolis Clowns vs Party Animals in Banana Ball Game 2 in Indianapolis<\/h2>\n
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Indianapolis Clowns Kirkland Banks (1) sits in the dugout Saturday, May 16, 2026, before a banana ball game between the Indianapolis Clowns and the Party Animals at Victory Field in downtown Indianapolis. The Party Animals defeated the Indianapolis Clowns, 4-1.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Indianapolis Clowns vs Party Animals in Banana Ball Game 2 in Indianapolis<\/h2>
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Indianapolis Clowns Kirkland Banks (1) sits in the dugout Saturday, May 16, 2026, before a banana ball game between the Indianapolis Clowns and the Party Animals at Victory Field in downtown Indianapolis. The Party Animals defeated the Indianapolis Clowns, 4-1.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Indianapolis Clowns vs Party Animals in Banana Ball Game 2 in Indianapolis<\/h2>
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Indianapolis Clowns Kirkland Banks (1) runs onto the field Saturday, May 16, 2026, before a banana ball game between the Indianapolis Clowns and the Party Animals at Victory Field in downtown Indianapolis. The Party Animals defeated the Indianapolis Clowns, 4-1.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Indianapolis Clowns vs Party Animals in Banana Ball Game 2 in Indianapolis<\/h2>
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Indianapolis Clowns Bobby Lada (7) is introduced Saturday, May 16, 2026, during a banana ball game between the Indianapolis Clowns and the Party Animals at Victory Field in downtown Indianapolis. The Party Animals defeated the Indianapolis Clowns, 4-1.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Indianapolis Clowns vs Party Animals in Banana Ball Game 2 in Indianapolis<\/h2>
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The Party Animals walk onto the field Saturday, May 16, 2026, during a banana ball game between the Indianapolis Clowns and the Party Animals at Victory Field in downtown Indianapolis. The Party Animals defeated the Indianapolis Clowns, 4-1.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Indianapolis Clowns vs Party Animals in Banana Ball Game 2 in Indianapolis<\/h2>
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Indianapolis Clowns assistant coach Willie Carter engages with the crowd Saturday, May 16, 2026, during a banana ball game between the Indianapolis Clowns and the Party Animals at Victory Field in downtown Indianapolis. The Party Animals defeated the Indianapolis Clowns, 4-1.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Indianapolis Clowns vs Party Animals in Banana Ball Game 2 in Indianapolis<\/h2>
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Fans reach for a ball Saturday, May 16, 2026, during a banana ball game between the Indianapolis Clowns and the Party Animals at Victory Field in downtown Indianapolis. The Party Animals defeated the Indianapolis Clowns, 4-1.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Indianapolis Clowns vs Party Animals in Banana Ball Game 2 in Indianapolis<\/h2>
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The Indianapolis Clowns get the crowd excited Saturday, May 16, 2026, during a banana ball game between the Indianapolis Clowns and the Party Animals at Victory Field in downtown Indianapolis. The Party Animals defeated the Indianapolis Clowns, 4-1.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Indianapolis Clowns vs Party Animals in Banana Ball Game 2 in Indianapolis<\/h2>
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Indianapolis Clowns Brett Maddock (8) engages with the crowd Saturday, May 16, 2026, during a banana ball game between the Indianapolis Clowns and the Party Animals at Victory Field in downtown Indianapolis. The Party Animals defeated the Indianapolis Clowns, 4-1.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Indianapolis Clowns vs Party Animals in Banana Ball Game 2 in Indianapolis<\/h2>
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Monica Watson, 3, of Anderson, plays in the outfield Saturday, May 16, 2026, during a banana ball game between the Indianapolis Clowns and the Party Animals at Victory Field in downtown Indianapolis. The Party Animals defeated the Indianapolis Clowns, 4-1.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Indianapolis Clowns vs Party Animals in Banana Ball Game 2 in Indianapolis<\/h2>
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Nicole Wisniewski, 27, of Chicago makes a TikTok with Party Animals catcher Bronson Balholm (41) on Saturday, May 16, 2026, during a banana ball game between the Indianapolis Clowns and the Party Animals at Victory Field in downtown Indianapolis.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Indianapolis Clowns vs Party Animals in Banana Ball Game 2 in Indianapolis<\/h2>
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Fans wait to enter the ballpark Saturday, May 16, 2026, before a banana ball game between the Indianapolis Clowns and the Party Animals at Victory Field in downtown Indianapolis.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Indianapolis Clowns vs Party Animals in Banana Ball Game 2 in Indianapolis<\/h2>
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Party Animals pitcher Peter Holden (22) looks out at the field Saturday, May 16, 2026, during a banana ball game between the Indianapolis Clowns and the Party Animals at Victory Field in downtown Indianapolis.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Indianapolis Clowns vs Party Animals in Banana Ball Game 2 in Indianapolis<\/h2>
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Fans arrive Saturday, May 16, 2026, before a banana ball game between the Indianapolis Clowns and the Party Animals at Victory Field in downtown Indianapolis.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Indianapolis Clowns vs Party Animals in Banana Ball Game 2 in Indianapolis<\/h2>
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Indianapolis Clowns Jackie Bradley Jr. (19) looks behind him while walking toward the field Saturday, May 16, 2026, during a banana ball game between the Indianapolis Clowns and the Party Animals at Victory Field in downtown Indianapolis.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

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Indianapolis Clowns vs Party Animals in Banana Ball Game 2 in Indianapolis<\/h2>
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Indianapolis Clowns Joe Gray Jr. (3) looks over at fans Saturday, May 16, 2026, before a banana ball game between the Indianapolis Clowns and the Party Animals at Victory Field in downtown Indianapolis.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Bradley, who was an 11-season MLB vet, was the first overall pick in the inaugural Banana Ball draft in November. The 2018 World Series champion, 2018 Gold Glove winner and 2016 All-Star joined the Clowns in their first season back as a club in more than three decades.<\/p>\n

The Clowns joined the Loco Beach Coconuts as new teams added to the Banana Ball World Tour<\/a> in a team pool that features the Savannah Bananas<\/a>, Firefighters, Party Animals and the Texas Tailgaters.<\/p>\n

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The history of the Clowns was a selling point for Bradley in joining the entertainment league.<\/p>\n

The original Clowns were regarded as the Harlem Globetrotters of the Negro Leagues. Founded in the 1930s, the team were first known as the Ethiopian Clowns before they moved to Cincinnati and joined the Negro Leagues.<\/p>\n

After two seasons, the Clowns moved to Indianapolis. Two years following the final Negro World Series in 1948, they won a league title in 1950. The club operated for several more decades before it disbanded in 1989.<\/p>\n

Revived in 2025, the club chose Bradley with the first selection of the inaugural Banana Ball draft. Banana Ball CEO and founder Jesse Cole had a phone call with Bradley on the eve of draft day. It served as a learning course for the Clowns and set the stage for Bradley\u2019s homage to their storied past.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI told him about the history of the Clowns and what they stood for, what they\u2019re about and what we\u2019re trying to do what Banana Ball, and he said, \u2018I\u2019m in,\u2019\u201d Cole said. \u201cI go, \u2018You\u2019re in, that quickly?\u2019 He said, \u2019Yeah, this is everything that I want to be a part of,\u2019 and so he\u2019s made a huge impact.<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously, we\u2019ve had a lot of big-league players play with us throughout the years but to have one full-time with us, we\u2019re getting a lot more calls now, people are interested. I think he\u2019s definitely a trend-setter and pioneer to see what the future looks like.\u201d<\/p>\n

‘We don’t want that to be forgotten.’ <\/strong>Rebirth of Indianapolis Clowns focuses on storied history<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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