Former University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa baseball pitcher Andy Archer is one of the newest members of the Savannah Bananas, a professional baseball team out of Savannah, Georgia, captivating the nation with its circus-like performances and fan-centric approach.
“It’s just been one of the coolest and most meaningful things I’ve ever done,” Archer said. “The impact that we’ve had on the next generation of kids, ball players, leaders, I think is pretty amazing. My time at UH prepared me so well, just because of the way that UH is able to integrate the community and the fans and the young players into the team. Because of that experience, I’m so much more effective doing what I’m doing now.”
The Bananas are part of a league called “Banana Ball” that resembles basketball’s Harlem Globetrotters. Banana Ball games include several unconventional rules designed to speed up the game and increase excitement.
Playing pro ball in MLB stadiums
The team is in the midst of a packed 2024 season with a total of 84 games, played across 26 cities from February to October. Most of their contests sell out. They rotate playing two other teams in the league, the Party Animals and the Firefighters. Stops include games in six Major League Baseball ballparks, such as Minute Maid Park in Houston, Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia and historic Fenway Park in Boston.
“It’s just kind of a full circle moment for me, especially in Fenway,” Archer said. “I remember I was 8 years old. My dad took me to a game there because Manny Ramirez was my favorite player. He was on the Red Sox and it was Ken Griffey Jr.’s last season. This is the most iconic venue potentially in all of sports. This full circle moment where I get to be now a player, I get to pitch in this game and it’s a sold out crowd. I think just gratitude is the biggest thing.”
Social media sensation
Archer has gained quite a following on social media, posting entertaining videos, including having his teammates guess Hawaiian Pidgin words and phrases. He has also used the platform to raise money for “Bananas Foster,” a non-profit organization with the Bananas that celebrates the foster care community, while educating and inspiring others to get involved. Archer has pledged to donate all of his proceeds for each jersey sale to “Bananas Foster.”
“The content I try to put out is never really anything about myself, but just what can I put out there that is gonna make someone’s day a little better, just that tiny piece of comedy or pitching input, coaching, whatever it may be,” Archer said.
Former Rainbow Warrior outfielder Breland Almadova played for the Party Animals, and NCAA softball career home run leader and Hawaiʻi native Jocelyn Alo signed a one-month contract with the Bananas in April.
“I think her whole reason for joining the Bananas was to grow the sport of softball. And I think when you look at athletes in our day and age that have had a big influence on their sport, there are few people in the same category in any sport as Jocelyn Alo is in the game of softball,” Archer said.
Career at UH
Playing at UH was so meaningful for me because I saw, kind of for the first time, what it looked like for a community to rally around a team.
— Archer
Archer spent just one season at UH in 2022, transferring from Georgia Tech to spend his last year of eligibility in Mānoa. During that season, he pitched in 60.2 innings over 19 appearances and 12 starts.
“That year playing for UH was the coolest year of my whole life,” Archer said. “I mentioned how the Bananas have been very meaningful just in what we’re doing, but playing at UH was so meaningful for me because I saw, kind of for the first time, what it looked like for a community to rally around a team. I’ve never experienced that before. That’s one thing that makes UH so special, so different from anywhere else in the country.”
Possible return to Hawaiʻi?
Archer plans to stay with the Savannah Bananas at least for another year. While his career at UH came to an end, he still wants to put on a show for Hawaiʻi, perhaps in a Bananas uniform.
“Hopefully we can get them out to the Les,” Archer said. “I’ve been trying to plant seeds here and there because I think that would be such a fun thing. I think that UH baseball fans would absolutely love coming to see some Bananas baseball.”
—By Marc Arakaki
