TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
Kathrine and Vincent Chapman
full hours, you get all the excitement of a high stakes baseball game paired with a party atmosphere that starts before the first pitch is ever thrown. “After the games, we stand outside for an extra hour taking pictures and signing autographs with fans. It’s crazy! It feels like I’ve signed thousands of autographs and taken thousands of pictures with fans. I never would have imagined. The games are all about the fans and they are so much fun.” Each year since the beginning of Banana Ball, the team’s popularity has grown exponentially. This year, they will play 90 games in 33 cities and 21 states. That is almost three times more games than they played just last year. “The bigger the crowd, the more exciting it is!” says Chapman. “I’ve been blown away but never nervous— overwhelmed, but never intimidated. Every game since 2016 has been sold out and there are 500,000 on the waiting list for tickets!” Chapman can travel weekly thanks to his accommodating employers at IT Network Specialists (ITNS) where he does sales. “ITNS works with me to make the Banana’s travel schedule work, and they have been very supportive. Owner Bradley Wicks and my bosses Richie Wicks and Jeremy Boykin really are great. It’s a great company,” he said. Chapman’s wife, Kathrine, has also been very supportive of his busy travel schedule and often accompanies him to see the Bananas play. They are the team behind the team and Chapman is grateful for their support in making this dream a reality. Baseball brings something out of people, players, and fans alike, from generation to generation that is priceless. “Just seeing people smile and having a good time for the two hours of the game, knowing they’re enjoying it… all the worries, all the cares, all the things going on in their lives are no longer their focus. It’s all about that moment,” Chapman said. “I love making people happy most of all. It might be selfish on my part, but getting smiles and laughs from what I do is the best.” There really is something romantic about baseball.
Scan here to visit The Savannah Bananas YouTube channel and see Vincent in action.
See more of Vincent on Instagram @thedancing_ump.
A very special thank you to Ross Cowling with the Texarkana, Texas Parks and Recreation Department for preparing the beautiful baseball field in our cover story photo shoot.
cover photo by Matt Cornelius
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SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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