The Power of Questions: How the Savannah Bananas Revolutionized the Fan Experience
I attended my first Savannah Banana’s baseball game last weekend at Progressive Field, and it did not disappoint! It was part baseball, part circus, part rock concert, etc., etc.…. and ALL about the fan experience. Gates opened at 2:30 for a 7:00pm game. It was packed when we arrived at 3:30. They had tents set up selling merch, and lines rivaling amusement park rides just for the opportunity to spend money on Bananas gear. It was brilliant! After the game, I looked up the history and the head of the team, Jesse Cole.
Jesse Cole hasn’t just built a baseball team—he created a cultural phenomenon. His approach was driven by a single question that reframed everything about the traditional baseball experience: “Imagine what the best possible fan experience is and do that. Don’t settle for the way things have been done before.”
By asking this question, Cole not only challenged the norms of what people expect at a baseball game but also sparked a movement that transformed a small-town team into a viral sensation. What makes this question so powerful? It’s rooted in the generative power of questions—an idea central to Appreciative Inquiry, which seeks to inspire growth and innovation by focusing on what works and what could be at its best.
Reimagining the Game
When Jesse Cole took over the Savannah Bananas, he knew that minor league baseball was struggling. Traditional strategies focused on improving player performance or tweaking business models, but Cole went deeper by focusing on the fan experience. Rather than asking what could be done incrementally better, he asked a visionary question: What if we completely reimagined the game?
This inquiry led to ideas that most would consider outrageous in the world of baseball. Breakdancing coaches, a senior citizens' dance team called the "Banana Nanas," and in-game entertainment that feels more like a circus than a sporting event became staples. The games are now more about creating joy, engagement, and connection than about winning or losing. This shift resulted in sold-out games, a massive online following, and a unique brand that’s redefining how sports can be experienced.
The Generative Power of Questions
Jesse Cole’s approach ties directly into a principle of Appreciative Inquiry: the belief that questions have the power to shape reality. In Appreciative Inquiry, we often explore what’s working well and envision an ideal future by asking positively framed questions. These questions unlock possibilities, focusing on strengths and potential rather than problems and limitations.
Cole’s guiding question—“What is the best possible fan experience?”—is generative because it inspires action, creativity, and energy. It pulls everyone involved into a future-oriented mindset that is not constrained by past practices or current limitations. In many ways, this question mirrors the Appreciative Inquiry process of Discovery (identifying what works), Dream (imagining the best future), and Design (planning how to get there). By constantly revisiting and refining this inquiry, Cole and his team keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
Breaking Free from Tradition
Another essential element of Appreciative Inquiry is its emphasis on breaking away from the status quo by imagining what could be. Jesse Cole’s approach is a living example of this. He didn’t just ask what could make a baseball game more enjoyable; he dared to question the entire premise of how the game should be played and experienced. Instead of accepting industry standards, he embraced the freedom to innovate from scratch, leading to a fan-first experience where every element is designed for maximum engagement and fun.
By refusing to settle for "the way things have always been done," Cole disrupted an entire industry, much like how Appreciative Inquiry encourages us to disrupt old narratives and build new, aspirational ones.
Tying It All Together
The story of the Savannah Bananas illustrates the generative power of questions—especially when those questions are rooted in imagining a positive future. By asking the right questions, Jesse Cole not only built a brand but also created a new narrative in the world of sports entertainment. His success is a reminder of the transformative potential we unlock when we approach challenges not with incremental tweaks but with bold, visionary inquiries.
In your own organization or personal journey, consider the kinds of questions you’re asking. Are they focused on problems and constraints, or are they inspiring you and others to imagine new possibilities? Like Jesse Cole and the Savannah Bananas, we all have the opportunity to reshape our experiences, our teams, and our communities by asking questions that generate energy, creativity, and a shared vision for the best possible future.
