Get together Animals’ fan-favorite Tanner Thomas, or as some know him, Tanner “Tinder” Thomas, is not simply rewriting the principles of baseball.
A former Virginia Tech standout and MLB Draft choose, Thomas first made waves with the Savannah Bananas earlier than changing into a cornerstone outfielder for the Bananas’ rival workforce, the Get together Animals, in 2023. Since then, he is been lighting up ballparks nationwide.
The Bananas and Get together Animals have packed stadiums throughout the nation as a part of the 2025 Banana Ball World Tour, with over 111 almost sold-out video games throughout greater than 30 states by means of October. The Get together Animals presently lead the standings with a 35-20 report, backed by explosive bats, slick protection, and pitching that retains the social gathering locked tight.
Article continues beneath commercial
Recognized for his blazing pace, ever-changing hair colour, and viral walk-ups (sure, together with his pet python, Stella), Tanner Thomas stopped by Elevating Cane’s “The Mothership,” situated throughout from LSU’s North Gates, forward of the Get together Animals’ sold-out showdown towards the Texas Tailgaters this weekend.
Article continues beneath commercial
Tanner Thomas Says His Coronary heart (And Abdomen) Belongs To Elevating Cane’s
Whereas catching up with The Blast at Elevating Cane’s, Thomas was fast to disclose that his love for the chicken-finger chain runs deep.
“I’ve been to Cane’s so many occasions,” he laughed. “I wish to say my first time ever was a couple of yr, yr and a half in the past. And since then? I can not inform you what number of occasions I have been. But it surely’s been quite a bit.”
His go-to order? “The Caniac is certainly my transfer,” he mentioned proudly. “Stable. Good selection.”
Whereas Thomas retains it basic, his pals go to the acute. “I’ve had two pals which have performed, like, I believe it is a 40-count of rooster fingers,” he added. “I do not know if that is an actual factor or not, however they do this.”
Article continues beneath commercial
From School Ball To Banana Ball
Thomas has been a part of the Banana Ball universe for the reason that early days, again when it was nonetheless a university summer time league and the wild guidelines have been nonetheless of their infancy.
“I began in 2018, 2019,” he defined. “I performed within the school summer time league for… I say Bonna now. I do not like saying the phrase ‘bananas,'” he joked. “In school, we nonetheless performed baseball. If you happen to have been enjoying that day, you did not actually need to do a lot leisure in any respect. The one factor totally different was, for those who weren’t enjoying, you have been on high of the dugout dancing for the dwell crowd.”
However when he tried out for the skilled workforce in 2022, every part modified, and it wasn’t your common tryout.
Article continues beneath commercial
“I introduced all my regular baseball stuff,” Thomas mentioned. “I anticipated batting observe, fielding floor balls, fly balls… the entire 9 yards. However there was a dance tryout. There was a trick play tryout.”
“You have to carry one thing to the desk that nobody else would anticipate,” he mentioned. “To face out, I wore a pizza slice costume. So… you inform me one other baseball tryout that is like that, as a result of I do not know one.”
Article continues beneath commercial
A Valentine’s Day Stroll-Up To Bear in mind
Recognized for embracing the enjoyable of Banana Ball, Thomas leaned all the way in which into his romantic facet this yr for a Valentine’s Day recreation that was an unforgettable second.
“My nickname is Tanner ‘Tinder’ Thomas as a result of I’m single. I have been single for some time,” he mentioned. “I pitched this concept for a promotion… I used to be going to attempt to discover the love of my life, and it turned out to be one among my walk-ups.”
“I did this walk-up three separate occasions throughout the day, discovered a girl, I wish to say her title was Elaine or one thing like that, however she was like 78 years outdated,” he recalled. “And I discovered her within the crowd.”
The day took a heartwarming flip when Thomas introduced her onto the sphere.
“My final at-bat, I ended up strolling out to the plate together with her,” he mentioned. “We did a little bit dance at house plate. We did not find yourself relationship,” he mentioned with a chuckle, “but it surely ended up being a extremely good time, and I believe she actually loved it too.”
Article continues beneath commercial
The Cities That Introduced The Noise
Because the Get together Animals proceed their continuous nationwide tour, Thomas has been overwhelmed by the fan response, although a couple of cities left a long-lasting impression.
“We have offered out a whole lot of video games at this level,” he mentioned. “However there are occasions that the vitality is totally different.”
He pointed to 2 ballparks that stood out. “I wish to say in Philadelphia, the Phillies stadium final yr, actually introduced the vitality,” he famous. “They have been tremendous obsessed with sports activities up there.”
Thomas added, “And fast-forwarding to this yr in St. Louis, these followers additionally introduced the vitality. So these two are in all probability my high two, the place they have been the very best vitality and most purchased into the sport I’ve ever seen.”
His Dream Matchup? A Full-Circle Second
When requested who he’d most wish to face underneath Banana Ball guidelines, Thomas did not hesitate to call an in depth pal.
“I truly simply had a pal that bought pulled up,” he mentioned. “He had his first save ever for the Cleveland Guardians. His title is Nic Enright.”
“I might wish to face him as a result of I believe it might be a cool little full-circle second,” Thomas mentioned, smiling.
Whether or not he is ordering a Caniac Combo, twirling a 78-year-old fan at house plate, or going head-to-head with a buddy in entrance of hundreds, Tanner Thomas proves that in Banana Ball, the one rule that basically issues is: make it enjoyable.
