Gage Voorhees | RHP | Springfield, OH

An oldie, but a goodie…alright, he’s not old (just a ripe 24 years young) but The Savannah Bananas’ new pitcher Gage Voorhees is certainly good. 

The reason for the ‘old’ quip, well, Voorhees is anything but new to Banana Ball, or even The Bananas. 

In fact, the right-handed pitcher played for The Bananas during their final season in the Coastal Plain League in 2022, where he also got his first taste of Banana Ball in the 2022 Banana Fest game. 

“I got to start in the first game of the year against the ‘pro’ team. Being able to go up there and pretty much do whatever I wanted on the mound and not have to worry about too many rules,” Voorhees explains, “mixed with the atmosphere and how happy everyone was, just wanting to put smiles on people’s faces. That is what attracted me the most about it (Banana Ball).” 

Voorhees would win a CPL Championship with The Bananas that year before returning to Flagler College to finish out his collegiate career in 2023. 

After graduating Voorhees took over the family business, a pizza shop called the ‘Buckeye Barn’, in his hometown, Springfield, Ohio. 

That is until he got an opportunity to return to Banana Ball in 2024 as a member of the new developmental team. 

“When I first got the call to come play for The Visitors, I jumped on that as fast as I possibly could,” Voorhees recalled. 

He would turn a six-game stint with The Visitors into an extended stay after being moved over to The Firefighters until their season wrapped up in July. 

Voorhees doing more than enough during that time to prove he was not only Banana Ball material, but Savannah Banana material. 

“Voorhees checks multiple boxes for us going into 2025,” says Savannah Bananas Head Coach Tyler Gillum. “First, he is a former CPL Banana. He understands what it means to be a Banana on and off the field and he holds himself to a high standard. He’s very entertaining to watch on the mound and throws a ton of strikes. He can be a starter or throw out of the bullpen. Lastly,” Coach Gillium continued, “he brings a ton of ideas to entertainment. We always love players who can impact our idea sessions and make a big impact in the idea department.” 

Of course, making the full-time move into Banana Ball meant leaving the family business behind. Something Voorhees said his family wouldn’t have had any other way. 

“My family was super supportive about it. They were constantly egging me on saying there was no other option. Their support is what truly propelled me back into the sport.” 

Voorhees playing for his family and his hometown.

“I get to go out there and make them proud. Having that support has been my motivator through all of this.”

Getting to live out his dream and represent The Bananas, which he doesn’t take lightly. 

“I feel honored that Coach Gillum looked to me when thinking about who he was going to add on and bring in. I am nervous too though. It’s a big stage, I’m not scared about it, I just have to make sure I do it right.” 

As for how he hopes to standout in the sea of yellow this year, “I’m going to bring maybe a fictional serial killer (persona), but a PG version.” Which he admits may still need some refining, so for now, let’s just say he’s hoping to be a ‘killer’ on the mound.

Kyle Perry | LHP | Omaha, NE

Life outside of Omaha, Nebraska had never been something Kyle Perry sought out.

“I didn’t ever leave. I had chances to, but I didn’t. I’m a proud Cornhusker through and through.”

The born and raised Cornhusker would prove just how much he loved his hometown after committing to play baseball for the University of Nebraska in 2018.

Perry capped off his collegiate pitching career with a Big Ten Championship and a NCAA Tournament berth in 2024.

But long before his college career came to an end, like many of us, Perry started to hear more and more about The Savannah Bananas.

“The Bananas started popping up all over social media in 2020,” and Perry liked what he saw, “I just remember being all for it. I thought it was pretty cool because I really like to have a good time and play ball.”

While he loved what The Bananas were doing, admittedly he never imagined he’d get the call, until he did, and for the first time he saw a reason worth leaving home.

“Coming to the decision like, ‘yeah, I’m going to do this’ came from talking with Coach Gillum. Hearing about all the opportunities ahead for Banana Ball and just seeing that growth, it was a no brainer.”

Not to mention, for this lifelong baseball fan, getting to play in the same venues as his heroes, well, that’s hard to top.

“I don’t care if I’m cleaning toilets at Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park, but to actually have a seat at the table with the Bananas is incredible.”

So, it’s fair to say Perry knows how much Banana Ball will do for him, but he’s also more than ready to show what he can provide to Banana Ball.

“It may sound kind of simple, but I can’t wait to impact people’s lives. Whether that’s shaking a kid’s hand in the tunnel, signing a ball for a fan or even passing along some life advice, it’s something I’ve always had a passion for.”

“He’s a pitcher that is going to work fast, pound the zone and throw from multiple arm angles. He will be a great addition to our bullpen. Uniquely, he has his own radio show back in Nebraska which is big time! I’m fired up to watch his impact in 2025.”

Of course, with this new journey set to begin, Perry will be saying goodbye to not only his hometown, but that hour-long weekday radio show on 93.7 The Ticket, ‘Uncut with Kyle Perry.’