Dunkin went bananas on April 25, as the Savannah Bananas teamed up with the Party Animals to serve coffee, donuts and smiles to fans throughout the Bronx.
At the Dunkin Donuts location on 2973 E Tremont Avenue by the Westchester Square station, the Savannah Bananas and the Party Animals –two exhibition barnstorming baseball teams– collaborated with Dunkin to host a fan meet-and-greet. Dunkin is the official partner of the Banana Ball Championship League, who houses both teams.
“We have a partnership with Dunkin, and every city we go to, we try and visit a Dunkin location,” said Jake Skole, of the Party Animals. “And just spread some joy with some of the fans by making some coffees and sharing some donuts, and Dunkin’s been a pretty stellar partner throughout this whole tour.”
Members from both teams stood behind the counter taking orders from fans, and also engaged with fans by signing autographs, whether that’d be on shirts or baseball gloves.
Outside of Dunkin, fans could spin a wheel to win Dunkin swag, including five different color tumblers; brown snapback hats with the Dunkin logo on it; a donut-shaped keychain; $5 promotional gift cards; a yellow pennant with the Savannah Bananas logo; and a grand prize: two tickets to the Yankees game on April 26.
The grand prize was won by Leigh Anne Taylor and Eddie Cairns of Virginia Beach, Va., who came to New York City to watch the Yankees game.
“It feels insane,” said Taylor, in response to being asked how she felt after winning the tickets. “I can’t believe it.”
Various little league teams that are local to the Bronx were in attendance –including the Pelham Bay Little League and Pelham Bay Belle Softball– who were all smiles when meeting the teams.
“I think our biggest [accomplishment] is trying to interact with fans […] and give them an experience and try to make a moment for them,” said Max Jung-Goldberg, who plays first base for the Savannah Bananas.
“So just being positive and impacting people in their lives, whether it’d be for two seconds, [or] for an hour. We’re just trying to promote [the] Banana Ball, promote Dunkin Donuts and the positive impact that we both [Savannah Bananas and Party Animals] make in these communities.”
