This weekend’s sold-out stretch of Savannah Bananas games will be the first time the pop culture phenoms have stepped onto Coors Field — except for Zack Frongillo.

Frongillo, director of entertainment for Georgia’s Banana Ball team, used to sit on the bleachers right behind the first base line during Rockies games growing up, screaming and begging for autographs.

“The summer before I went to college, I probably went to every other game — if not every game,” he told The Denver Gazette. “It truly was my favorite thing to do.”

Prior to Frongillo helping sell out the over-50,000-seat stadium over Saturday and Sunday, he grew up in Littleton and went to Dakota Ridge High School. While playing sports, he began competitive dancing at X-treme Dance Force.

The Littleton local went off to college in Las Vegas for dance, eventually landing a promotional team gig with the Las Vegas Golden Knights National Hockey League team during its first year in the city.

“Just being around some of the most incredible creators in the sports entertainment world. Getting to watch them go about their business, I fell in love with that perspective of it,” he said.

He knew he wanted to continue his career in sports entertainment, but right after graduation the COVID pandemic shocked the country — and the sports world.

“There was one team still playing for fans, which was the Bananas.”

He ultimately joined the team in 2021. Now, the once professional dancer is helping create the whacky dances, skits and outrageous activities that have made the Savannah Bananas — and its style of Banana Ball baseball — a cultural cornerstone for baseball fans.

“I steer the ship, so to speak,” he said. “Making sure we’re not stagnant. I take all of these ideas and put them into the script for the weekend, rehearsing with the teams and teaching them choreography. Just building these shows.”

He added: “I’ve been able to be a rocket ship. I’ve been here at the start and haven’t looked back since.”

The creative side of the organization looks to add 15 new things to each game, whether that be new choreography or dramatic walkouts. The team pulls from current events, social media trends and the city it is playing in to garner new ideas. 

Just four years after the team (and the showmanship style of ball) began, it is now touring to 18 Major League Baseball stadiums and three football stadiums in 2025, with sellouts in each market.

Banana Ball will also be a league with six teams in 2026.

“At the time, we didn’t have an idea what the future had in store. We believed in what the future could be, but we were only playing in front of 3,500 fans in Mobile, Alabama for two nights and selling out,” he said.

But, to Frongillo, it’s not just the crazy dances and stilts-wearing hitters that have made it such a popular spectacle — it’s the energy.

“We put our fans first. We’re paying people’s taxes. When we say it’s a $35 hat, it’s a $35 hat. We’re leaving millions and millions on the table just because it’s the right thing to do,” he said.

The entire team and staff keep that fans-first perspective, he added. 

“There was a fundamental problem with baseball. For the longest time, games were getting longer and slower,” Frongillo said. “That’s not to say that we’re here to replace the MLB, but we have the ability to bring fun back to the game.”

Frongillo pointed out that he was around to see the Rockies take on the Boston Red Sox in the 2007 MLB World Series. He knows the energy that Coors Field once had.

The Savannah Bananas might just bring some of that back Saturday and Sunday.

“It’s really special to be home,” he said.

While Frongillo’s family has moved away from Colorado, he said he has around 100 tickets going out to family and friends over the two games — including the owner of his former Littleton dance school.

The team also plans on having some special guests and Colorado-based activities.

“We have to make every game a home game,” he said.

But it’s already a home game for the entertainment director.

“The baseball passion of Colorado, I’ve been around it. I’ve lived it. Colorado is a massive baseball town. These games are going to be electric.”

The Savannah Bananas’ game against the Firefighters is sold out, but those interested can watch the Saturday game on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. or at McGregor’s Square.