Citizens Bank Park Gears Up for Banana Ball Spectacle as Local Pitcher Lives Out Dream
Philadelphia, PA – Citizens Bank Park is set to host a unique baseball experiance this weekend as the Savannah Bananas and Texas Tailgaters face off in two sold-out games. For Broomall native Joe Sperone, the event marks a significant personal milestone: fulfilling a lifelong dream of playing in a major League Baseball stadium.
Sperone, 23, has been passionate about baseball as childhood. His talent led him to play for West Chester University and the Staten Island Ferry Hawks.Last year, he made the bold decision to leave his office job to dedicate himself fully to pursuing his baseball career.
“It’s going to be surreal,” Sperone shared, reflecting on the upcoming games. “Ever as I was young, it was always a dream to play in sold-out MLB stadiums, especially Citizens Bank Park.” This weekend, that dream becomes a reality as he takes the mound as the pitcher for the Texas Tailgaters.
The games will feature “Banana Ball,” a fast-paced,entertainment-focused style of baseball that incorporates dancing and aims to be “the greatest show in sports.”
Beyond Sperone’s personal achievement, the weekend holds special meaning for his family. His parents, notably his father who was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer last year, will be in attendance, cheering for their son instead of their usual allegiance to the Phillies.
An estimated 45,000 fans are expected over the two days. Among them will be 10 families from Challenger Baseball of Cherry Hill, an institution that provides baseball opportunities for children with special needs. These families received surprise tickets on Friday evening, courtesy of Dunkin’ and the team.
“Go, Savannah Bananas,” exclaimed 8-year-old Clark, one of the young fans attending the event. Sperone emphasized the importance of community engagement, stating, “It’s one of the best parts about this job is giving back to the community, reaching out to fans, connecting with fans,” expressing his hope that the experience will be memorable for all attendees.
While both games are officially sold out,a limited number of tickets may be available on the secondary market. For those unable to attend in person, the Saturday game will be broadcast live at 7 p.m. on ESPN, ESPN+, and Disney+.
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