The Savannah Bananas are headed back to Des Moines this week. Here's what you need to know

The Savannah Bananas are headed back to Des Moines.

The popular barnstorming baseball team will play three games at Principal Park starting this Friday, Aug. 6 through Sunday, Aug. 8.

It's the second trip to Des Moines for the team known for its unusual antics on the field. The Bananas played before a packed house at Principal Park twice last year as well.

But if you didn't make it to any of last season's games, here's all you need to know about the Bananas.

Who are the Savannah Bananas?

The Bananas are a travel ball team known for their choreographed dances, unique rules, wild walk-ups and entertaining antics. Over the years, they've become social media stars for their wacky moves on the field. Some of them have included celebrity appearances, lighting a bat on fire and wearing costumes on the field. They also do trick plays such as summersaults while catching or fielding balls.

When will the Bananas play in Des Moines?

The Bananas will be at Principal Park on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Friday and Saturday’s games start at 7 p.m. Sunday’s game begins at 1 p.m. They'll take on their usual rival, The Party Animals.

Can I buy tickets to any of the games?

All three games for Des Moines are sold out.

Will this year's visit to Des Moines be different?

There will be many staples of previous games in all of the showdowns, but Bananas owner Jesse Cole vows that fans coming to a game will see something different every night. Small parts of every game are also catered to the town they are in.

What are the rules of Banana Ball?

Rule 1: Win the inning, get the point.

Rule 2: Two-hour time limit.

Rule 3: No stepping out of the batter's box.

Rule 4: No bunting.

Rule 5: Batters can steal first.

Rule 6: No walks allowed.

Rule 7: No mound visits allowed.

Rule 8: If a fan catches a foul ball, it’s an out.

Rule 9: Showdown tiebreaker (If the game is tied at the end of the two-hour time limit, it will go into a 'showdown' tiebreaker where the hitter must score. If they score, it’s worth one point. If they get out, it’s worth no points. This lasts three rounds)

Rule 10: The Banana Ball Challenge Rule (Each team is allowed to challenge one call on the field).

Rule 11: The Golden Batter Rule (A team may send any hitter in the lineup to bat in any spot, one time a game).

Tommy Birch, the Register's sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He's the 2018, 2020 and 2023 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Savannah Bananas: What to know about their visit to Des Moines