Ryan Howard and Shane Victorino spent years helping the Phillies defeat their opponents. Next summer, they’ll try to defeat each other.
The former Phillies teammates and 2008 World Series champions will return to Citizens Bank Park in August, as opposing coaches in the Banana Ball Championship League. Howard will represent the Indianapolis Clowns, while Victorino will lead the Loco Beach Coconuts for two games on Aug. 27 and 28.
Fans interested in attending must enter the ticket lottery at bananaball.com before 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 31. Entering the lottery provides only the chance to purchase tickets, rather than guaranteeing them.
And although Banana Ball is known for its dancing, trick plays, and unconventional approach to baseball, Howard made one thing clear: Neither former teammate plans to take it easy on the other.
“Our competitive juices are still there, so we’re gonna want to beat each other for the bragging rights, ‘cause the other one won’t let the other one live it down,” Howard said Thursday in an interview with The Inquirer.
The Indianapolis Clowns and Loco Beach Coconuts will play each other on August 27 and 28 at Citizens Bank Park!
Ryan Howard (Clowns) and Shane Victorino (Coconuts) are prime time managers for these games.
This is the only Banana Ball appearance at CBP in 2027. pic.twitter.com/dUoIAbgpeJ
— Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) October 16, 2026
The matchup brings two familiar faces back to the ballpark where they helped deliver Philadelphia’s first World Series championship in 28 years. This time, instead of sharing a dugout, they’ll be competing for bragging rights in a league that blends baseball with live entertainment.
Howard said the opportunity to return alongside Victorino made the Philadelphia matchup particularly appealing.
“It’s always fun when I’m able to get back out there,” Howard said. “Especially doing this with Shane, the Loco Beach Coconuts, Indianapolis Clowns, Philadelphia.”
Howard’s connection to the Clowns extends beyond his playing career. The franchise is a revival of the historic Indianapolis Clowns, a Negro Leagues organization known for combining competitive baseball with entertainment.
Howard, who has ties to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, said Banana Ball founder Jesse Cole approached him about participating after developing the idea with museum president Bob Kendrick.
“I told Jesse, I was like, man, that’s an amazing idea,” Howard said. “For wanting to pay homage and bring the Indianapolis Clowns back to life.”
The revival appealed to Howard because the original Clowns helped introduce an entertainment-centered approach to baseball decades before the Savannah Bananas popularized this modern version. But Howard emphasized that the entertainment shouldn’t overshadow the competition.
“The teams are actually out there playing. They’re playing to win the game,” Howard said.
Victorino, meanwhile, initially approached Banana Ball with the mindset of a traditional baseball player. That perspective changed after his first experience.
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“I went [into] it with a baseball mindset, and after the first game, my mindset changed,” Victorino said.
He came to appreciate the combination of baseball, music, dancing, and audience participation, particularly the way it creates an experience that isn’t defined entirely by the final score.
For Victorino, one of the biggest differences is that fans can leave satisfied regardless of which team wins.
“There’s never a sad face when leaving that stadium,” Victorino said.
That doesn’t mean the former Phillies have forgotten their competitive instincts. Howard recalled that Victorino was always energetic and outspoken during their playing days. The two were even roommates while playing for Triple-A Scranton before reaching the major leagues.
“Shane’s fiery,” Howard said. “Very, very fun, very loud. Always loud, always loud. Bouncing off the walls.”
But Howard also highlighted a side of Victorino that fans might not have seen on the field.
“Aside from all the craziness that you may see on the diamond, he’s got a huge, huge heart,” Howard said.
Their different personalities could make the matchup particularly entertaining. Howard acknowledged that Victorino’s speed was considerably greater than his own during their playing careers, but said both teams will need to balance aggression with strategy.
Even in Banana Ball, he explained, coaches must consider when to take risks and when to exercise patience. Both former Phillies also entertained the possibility of recruiting members of their 2008 championship team for Banana Ball.
Victorino mentioned Jimmy Rollins before offering catcher Carlos Ruiz as a more unexpected choice. Howard also considered Rollins, along with several other former teammates.
The Philadelphia games will feature the same fan interactions that have helped distinguish Banana Ball from traditional baseball, including opportunities for spectators to record outs by catching foul balls.
Victorino expects the atmosphere at Citizens Bank Park to reflect the energy Philadelphia fans brought throughout his playing career, even if the experience is different from postseason baseball.
“It’s electric,” Victorino said. “Be ready to experience that at its finest.”
And while the league’s primary attraction might be entertainment, Howard and Victorino know exactly what’s at stake when they face each other in Philadelphia.
Bragging rights between two former teammates who already know what it takes to win together.
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