Meet Banana Ball’s Newest team
Who are the Indianapolis Clowns?
The Indianapolis Clowns were pioneers when it came to baseball and entertainment. They were the greatest barnstorming baseball team for over 50 years and one of the first barnstorming teams to travel the country playing in ballparks of all sizes. They paved the way by entertaining fans in a different way on a baseball field, and we are thrilled to be able to honor and pay tribute to their legacy.
We are proud to partner with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to help preserve the history of the Indianapolis Clowns and bring their legacy to fans all over the country.
“When I first heard the story of the Indianapolis Clowns, I was inspired” said Owner Jesse Cole. “They were the first baseball team to put entertainment first and would go to great lengths to bring their style of baseball to fans all over the country.”
“We’ve always shared a similar vision and mission: To make baseball fun and put the fans first and entertain always. Partnering with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to bring the Clowns to millions of fans all over the country and preserve their legacy is a dream come true.”
The Clowns had some of the greatest showmen and show women to ever play the game. From Hank Aaron, Satchel Paige, and Goose Tatum to Toni Stone, Mamie Peanut Johnson, and Connie Morgan, we plan to honor them and celebrate these legends every night.
“The rebirth of the Indianapolis Clowns is an exciting and historically relevant tribute to the team that was at the forefront of combining baseball and entertainment,” said Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues. “Our partnership is a tremendous opportunity, to not only entertain, but educate fans about the rich history of the Negro Leagues while paying homage to the team that helped influence Banana Ball.”
The team will be led by head coach, Errick Fox, who first joined the Savannah Bananas coaching staff in 2018. He’ll be coaching alongside the Clowns Primetime coach, a World Series champion from the Philadelphia Phillies, Ryan Howard.
“Banana Ball is all about energy, entertainment, flipping the script — and you know what? That’s exactly what the Negro Leagues brought to the game from day one. Flash. Innovation. Community and an unconditional love for the game. They were rockstars before the world called ballplayers that.” said Howard.
The Clowns were the most entertaining team of their time, and we believe they were built for our entertaining sport of Banana Ball. We hope the story of the Indianapolis Clowns will inspire millions of fans in the years to come.
HEAD COACH
Errick Fox
Errick Fox brings over a decade of college and summer league coaching experience. From 2018-2022, Fox served as an assistant coach for the Savannah Bananas, helping lead the team to back-to-back Coastal Plain League championships before rejoining them in 2025. A former Brewton-Parker Baron standout, Fox has coached at Thomas University, Brewton-Parker, and ABAC, developing top-tier players and record-setting defenses. A native of Atlanta, GA, he’s known for his leadership, energy, and passion for growing the game.
Primetime Coach
Ryan Howard
Ryan Howard is a former MLB All-Star, NL MVP, World Series Champion, and Philadelphia Phillies Legend. Known as “The Big Piece,” Howard was one of the most feared power hitters of his era, hitting 382 career home runs and driving in over 1,100 RBIs during his 13-year MLB career. He helped lead the Phillies to five straight division titles and a 2008 World Series championship, earning a reputation for clutch performances and unmatched work ethic. As the Primetime Coach for the Clowns, Howard will utilize his big league experience to help lead his team across some of the biggest stops on the 2026 tour.
Former Indianapolis Clowns
Hank Aaron
Before he became the MLB’s all-time home run king, Hank Aaron got his professional start with the Indianapolis Clowns in 1952. The Clowns gave Aaron his first platform to showcase his incredible talent and within just a few months, his hitting ability drew the attention of the Milwaukee Braves. Aaron always credited the Clowns with giving him his first opportunity in professional baseball and preparing him for the big leagues.
Satchel Paige
Already a legend by the time he joined the Clowns later in his career, Satchel Paige brought star power and credibility to the team. His time with the Clowns helped draw massive crowds and continued the legacy of Black baseball excellence. In turn, the Clowns gave Paige another stage to keep dazzling fans with his ageless arm and showmanship.
Goose Tatum
Known as the “Clown Prince of Baseball,” Goose Tatum was both a talented athlete and a brilliant entertainer. Long before he became a Harlem Globetrotters legend, Tatum’s creativity and humor helped define the Clowns’ one-of-a-kind mix of comedy and competition.
Richard “King Tut” King
King Tut was one of the Clowns’ most beloved performers. A skilled infielder and master showman, Tut’s routines of juggling bats, teasing umpires, and performing elaborate pantomimes, made every game a spectacle.
The 1943 Indianapolis Clowns team picture. Pictured are Buster Haywood (far left in civilian clothes), King Tut (kneeling far left) and Roosevelt Davis (kneeling far right).
Toni Stone in action. She was the first woman to play professionally in a men’s league when she joined the Clowns in the spring of 1953.
The 1941 Indianapolis Clowns team picture.
