The Indianapolis Clowns returned to Victory Field over the weekend for the first time since 1989.
The Clowns, which pay homage to the historic Negro Leagues Baseball team formed in 1930, were resurrected as the newest Banana Ball Championship League in February 2026. The Indianapolis Clowns faced off against the Party Animals in two sold-out games at Victory Field on May 15 and 16 as part of the 2026 Banana Ball World Tour.
“When I first heard their story, I was so inspired,” Jesse Cole, CEO and creator of Banana Ball, told the Recorder. “The Clowns were pioneers. They were the first to do so many things in sports, first to sign women, first to bring the show and entertainment and fun to the games, and we want to present it and pay tribute to it and do it the right way and continue the story.”
The original Indianapolis Clowns made history in a lot of ways. They were the last surviving team in the Negro Leagues after Major League Baseball integrated in 1947; adopting a more comedic style of play that featured gimmicks like playing with oversized gloves, pitching behind their backs and “shadow ball,” a pantomimed version of the game sans the ball. This blend of entertainment and play earned them the title of “the Harlem Globetrotters of baseball” from historians — they even shared Goose Tatum as a member.
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The team made history again in 1953 when Toni Stone became the first woman to play professional baseball in a men’s league.
However, many people still don’t know the story of the Indianapolis Clowns, and Cole said he wants to make sure that the team’s story continues to bring joy to millions, “just like they did for many years.”
The historic Negro Leagues team played its last game in 1989, but is regularly honored here in the city during Negro Leagues week. However, this past weekend marked the first time the team played for Hoosier audiences, unfortunately losing to the Party Animals 6-2 on May 15 and losing 4-1 on May 16.
Kirkland Banks, utility at second and third base, said growing up, it was challenging to be African American in a sport that is still predominantly white.
“Being able to be for the Clowns in Banana Ball and play in front of thousands of people, and let them know what the Clowns are about and get the history out there; it means a lot,” Banks said.
However, Banana Ball is more than just baseball with backflips; it stands at the intersection of sports and performing arts. The things professional athletes can do within their sports are amazing, but for many people, that can be hard to relate to at that high level, Cole said.
When he first started, Cole said his goal was to just “make baseball fun,” but after continuing to build on his vision, the game evolved and “the dreams have become much bigger as we’ve grown.”
Banana Ball is designed to be fan-first, and intentionally features “so many unique people” as part of the show — from players, to acrobats, dancers, singers, Banana Nanas, dad bods and more.
“We have a wide range, and people can connect themselves with that, and I think that’s so important,” Cole added. “I think everyone needs someone that they can look up to, and for our guys to be able to have fun, and now women playing for our teams, I think everyone has that in our crowd.”
Even Banks told the Recorder he was surprised at the sheer scale of the Banana Ball production and everything that goes on behind the scenes.
“Watching from the stands, you see the baseball and see everything, but the amount of work that goes into the performance, the entertainment side, and even the baseball — it’s just amazing,” Banks said. “We work so hard, and once we get out there, that’s why these people love it … We love the fans first, and it kind of amazed me a little bit how to the T we are with everything.”
The current Indianapolis Clowns also feature a diverse roster, with players from all over the country — though none currently from Naptown. Banks said they are “all one team now” and working toward the same goal of having fun and putting smiles on fans’ faces.
When asked what he loves most about being an Indianapolis Clown, Banks said he was “just grateful for the whole experience.” However, going into their first game at Victory Field, Banks told the Recorder he thought “today is going to be one of my probably best days of my life.”
“Just being in Indianapolis, knowing that we’re the Indianapolis Clowns, I know these fans are excited to see us, and we’re excited to see the fans, and we’re just ready to get out there and put a great show on.”
The 2026 Banana Ball World Tour continues through Sept. 27. Tickets are currently sold out, but fans can sign up to receive information about future tours at Bananaball.com.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe has a bachelor's in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and has previously worked for Indy Maven, The Lantern, and CityScene Media Group. In her free time, Chloe enjoys live theatre, reading, baking and keeping her plants alive.
