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Charlie & Debbie

North Carolina Teen’s Catch Wins Game For Savannah Bananas In Kannapolis

Author Charlie & Debbie

I’m kind of embarrassed.  Up until the first part of this week.  I’d never heard of the “Savannah Bananas.”  And as a huge sports fan, I’m not sure how that happened.  The Bananas can best be described as baseball’s barnstorming equivalent to basketball’s Harlem Globetrotters. For the past two nights, they’ve sold out their exhibition games at the Kannapolis Cannonballers Stadium.  Last night’s game wasn’t ended by any of the Bananas’ shenanigans.  No, a Concord teen’s catch stole the show.

15-year-old Khamani Faggart plays baseball at Winkler Middle School.  He was sitting with all of his teammates in the stands when he snagged a foul ball-ending the game, and giving the Bananas the 5-1 win.  I know, I know, this is “Bananas Ball.”  They have their own unique rules.  One of them is if a fan catches a foul ball, it’s an out. “I wasn’t paying attention to that bat at the moment, and I saw the ball coming our way, and I was like, ‘Watch out!’” said Faggart in the QC News.

So, I mentioned earlier that the Savannah Bananas were an exhibition team similar to the Harlem Globetrotters.  This has not always been the case.  The team was founded as a legit summer league team for college kids in 2016.  They operated as such until 2022 when they announced they were taking their “Bananaball” act on the road (as well as at home in Grayson Stadium) against their regular foe, “The Party Animals,” and other professional/semi-professional squads.
If you missed the Savannah Bananas doing their thing in Kannapolis, try to check them out sometime.

Study Ranks North Carolina As One Of The Most Fun Filled States Behind Some Heavy Hitters

When you think of the most fun states what do you think of? Your idea of fun may influence your opinion. Love shopping? New York probably takes the cake. Love outdoor adventure? You probably rank states like Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming high. Are you a beach person? The most fun state to you is somewhere on the coast. But in general, if you’re thinking of the most fun states for the most significant amount of people? Florida and California would be my first guesses. Our friends over at WalletHub recently conducted a survey of the most fun states in the country. And yes California and Florida did rank 1 and 2 respectively. But North Carolina, we ranked in the top 3rd as one of the most fun filled states.

Not just that but if you’ve got a little bit of a rivalry between us and our neighbors both to the south, ie South Carolina, we beat them too. Yes, even the tourist paradise of Myrtle Beach and classic southern history of Charleston, couldn’t top North Carolina! We also beat our other neighbors, Virginia, Tennesee, and Georgia. Something to be proud of for sure!

So what are these rankings based on? WalletHub used several metrics including things like movie costs to the accessibility of national parks to nightlife options per capita. Other fun options included attractions, restaurants, ski resorts, golf courses, fairs, marinas, and more. So all very fun things! Keep reading to see where North Carolina ranks for fun and what makes our state so much more fun than others! Want to read the full WalletHub study? It’s available here.

  • Top 10 Most Fun States

    Los Angeles, West Coast Palm Tree Sunshine themed background,

    BCFC

    1. California
    2. Florida
    3. Nevada
    4. New York
    5. Illinois
    6. Colorado
    7. Texas
    8. Washington
    9. Minnesota
    10. Lousiana

    The top 7 on this list, I absolutely wouldn’t question. From California which has mountains, beaches, cities, theme parks, and the sheer size well it makes perfect sense. Then you move to Florida the theme park capital of the world and a city that has every tourist option you could ever imagine and then some (Orlando). Not to mention miles of coastline, the keys, and a space center. Nevada has Vegas, New York and Illinois are home to some of the biggest most exciting cities in the country. Colorado ranks high for the previously mentioned outdoor adventurers. And Texas, well it’s Texas.

    And while I’d probably rank the other cities on this list pretty high, they don’t stand out quite as apparent to me as the top 7.

  • 15. North Carolina

    Craggy Gardens Pinnacle Trail along the Blue Ridge Parkway and Blue Ridge Mountains.

    Kruck20

    North Carolina ranked at number 15. So pretty high comparatively. Some of the metrics responsible for our high ranking include:

    • 8th – Restaurants per Capita
    • 19th – Movie Theaters per Capita
    • 10th – Golf Courses & Country Clubs per Capita
    • 16th – Amusement Parks per Capita
    • 29th – Performing-Arts Theaters per Capita
    • 9th – Fitness Centers per Capita

    I’d also add in the proximity to both the beach and the mountains. But regardless of why I’ll take the rankings! Good job NC you’re fun.

  • 19. South Carolina

    Myrtle beach Boardwalk south Carolina

    Larry Gibson

    As I previously mentioned I would have thought Myrtle Beach and Charleston would have ranked South Carolina over North Carolina. But I’d guess the number of larger cities gave us the edge. But SC wasn’t too far behind. They ranked 16th in entertainment and recreation.

  • Our Other Neighbors

    Nashvile TN skyline with red sunset and birds

    Jonathan Ross

    21. Georgia

    24. Virginia

    25. Tennessee

    All the other neighboring states ranked pretty close. All of these states also offer numerous options for fun. In fact, in the past year, I’ve visited all of them for vacation. Yes, they are convenient but they also offer lots of options for fun. Whether it’s Savannah Georgia, one of my favorite cities in the world, or the hustle and bustle of Atlanta. Virginia offers beaches, mountains, Charlottesville wine country, history with Williamsburg and Jamestown, as well as theme parks and proximity to DC. And Tennesee from the Smoky Mountains, to Nasvhille, and Memphis there is no shortage of fun to be had.

  • The Biggest Surprise

    Hawaiian sunset with sailboat and mountains

    Jonathan Ross

    I’m sorry there is no way you can tell me that Hawaii ranks 26th on a scale of fun. 26th, that’s in the bottom half of all states. I’ve never been to Hawaii and yes I can see that they probably don’t have high number of things like movie theaters and obviously they don’t have ski resorts. But there is no way, they are at the bottom. No way at all.

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