Before their sold-out games at Kauffman Stadium, players from the Savannah Bananas and Indianapolis Clowns will be making a stop in Overland Park.

From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, two players each from the popular, goofy baseball teams will make a return appearance at Scheels in Overland Park for a meet-and-greet with fans.

The event will be the second consecutive year the sporting goods store has hosted the teams before their big games in Kansas City. People should be prepared for long lines and to arrive early, said Assistant Store Leader Luke Sabers.

“On a Friday, it’s already busy here. With the signing, it’ll be pretty packed,” he said.

The signing is the lead-up to two sold-out games for the teams at Kauffman Stadium on Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. The store did not specify which players will be at the signing.

People should arrive early

If 2025’s meet-and-greet with the Bananas is any indication, Sabers said, then people should be prepared to arrive early.

The event has a two-hour time limit and if the line gets too long, the store will have to cut people off.

“The biggest thing is the two-hour time limit, and basically, we’ll coordinate a line that way, so that ‘Hey, this is the kind of the cut off for the line,’ if it gets that way. Last year never got to that point, but it got close,” Sabers said.

Fans will have 30 seconds to talk to the two players from each team, as well as ask for autographs and get selfies with them. In addition, a merchandise booth will be set up outside the store.

The teams play “Banana Ball”

Originally a collegiate summer baseball team, the Savannah Bananas have become a successful touring baseball team, drawing comparisons by publications like The Guardian to the Harlem Globetrotters.

Along with the Clowns, as well as 4 other teams, the Bananas are part of the Banana Ball Championship League, a professional touring exhibition league.

Unlike a traditional baseball game, “Banana Ball” has its own set of rules and traditions, including elaborate player walk-ups to the mound and batter’s box, fan sections and interactive activities.

“We are not your typical baseball team. We take chances. We bend the rules. We challenge the way things are ‘supposed’ to be. We are Fans First and We Entertain Always,” the team states on its website.

Along with that, the team is a talented collection of athletes, Sabers said.

“As an old baseball person myself, these are really talented athletes too. And I think sometimes people forget that. So, for them to be able to put on that kind of entertainment, but also to be able to play at that level, it’s not as easy as they make it look,” he said.

The store wants the signings to be a tradition

With the store’s second consecutive year hosting a Savannah Bananas signing, Sabers said he hopes it will continue.

“I think the biggest thing that stood out with them when they were here last year, they were just first-class (people and) great for the fans. They deeply care about the fans,” he said. “We’re fortunate. We get a lot of the Chiefs and Royals players in here shopping, and they are too. But the Bananas bring that level of fun to the event. It’s just a super cool thing.”

The event is free, family friendly and open to the public.