VIN'S PEOPLE: Manatee High School alum enjoying his 'Prime' for Savannah Bananas

Correlle Prime knows he is entertaining.

OK, there are some limits, even when you are a Savannah Banana, a player on the nationally popular barnstorming baseball team with their hilarious “Banana Ball” family-friendly antics.

Backflipping outfielders.

Infielders’ trick plays.

A batter on stilts.

Choreographed dance celebrations.

Prime laughed.

“You’ll never see me attempt a backflip on the field,” the 2012 Manatee High alum kidded. “I love to dance, too. I’m just not very good at it.”

No big deal.

Prime, 31, is right at home, pitching and playing first base, enjoying his role in this rollicking Banana Ball phenomenon that’s been selling out stadiums across America and frequently appearing on national TV.

No. 11’s out there in the middle of it, too.

“I’m having a good time. I’m able to see my family. Physically, I’m in the prime – no pun intended – of my career and willing to do all the dances and entertain. One thing Banana Ball provides is an environment to do whatever you feel you want to do at that moment to entertain.

“My style of play is entertaining. I take extreme pride in my defense and the way I pitch. We can be ourselves and it feels great.”

It’s evident in all those smiling faces on the field and in the crowd.

“You don’t necessarily have to be a baseball fan, but there’s something there for everybody. There’s a lot going on in our shows and there are a lot of people who like what we do.”

And how.

'Something there for everybody'

Try 148,000 fans over two nights in Charlotte.

Ninety-thousand for two games in Anaheim.

Eighty-one thousand for one game at Clemson.

And there were 65,000 at Raymond James Stadium in March when Prime came up with 50 tickets for family and friends.

“The product’s appeal is undeniable. People aren’t weighing on every pitch or at-bat. They’re there to be entertained. I’m just grateful to be in this position at the right time.”

The right time, indeed.

Drafted by Colorado in the 12^th round of the 2012 draft, Prime spent six seasons in the Rockies minors, another in the Texas Rangers minors, one season each in Australia and Mexico, and six seasons of independent ball, four of them in Fargo, North Dakota.

Those long road trips late in his career gave Prime a lot of time to think. He was 29 and had a young family back in Manatee County, but he wasn’t done with the game and the majors were getting further away.

“The window was kind of shrinking.”

Then the Bananas entered the picture.

Bret Helton, Prime’s Fargo teammate, roommate and best friend, had joined the Party Animals, part of the Bananas organization, in 2023.

Prime was intrigued.

“If you know Bret, it’s right up his alley. We chat all the time. He said, ‘Man, this thing is pretty cool down here.’ So before the [2024] season I called, told him I need to see you and check out this Banana Ball thing.”

Happy with career transition

So Prime visited Savannah and dropped in on Grayson Stadium, the Bananas home field, thinking he might play catch with Helton while he was there.

Surprise!

“Bret says, ‘Hey, man, you got a tryout today.’ I’m like, what?”

Helton had endorsed Prime to ballclub officials, who had him throw BP and liked what they saw. So they made him an offer playing for the Visitors, their developmental team that plays a handful of games against the Party Animals and Firefighters, another Banana Ball team.

“That didn’t sound bad for a career minor leaguer. I asked my family what they thought. My kids loved it. My fiancée said, why not? So I did that, it went well and eventually they asked me to join the Bananas.

“Funny how it worked out.”

Ironically, next weekend the Bananas will play at Denver’s Coors Field, the home ballpark of the major league team that drafted Prime 13 years ago.

“I never played there as a Rockie, but that organization did a lot for me. I was a kid coming in there. Made some lifelong friends. It should be a treat.”

Prime has made peace with his career transition.

“Ian Desmond [11-year major leaguer from Sarasota] is a mentor and said there are so many big leaguers walking around who never get the chance. That put it in perspective.

“My journey has been vastly different than the majority of these guys. But I’m getting a lot out of being around them every day. I’ve put in so many hours and effort to be in this game it’s cool to have an audience. That’s the main thing for me. The more eyes you can get in front of, the more impact you can make. That fulfills me.”

Vin’s People runs Sundays. Email Vin Mannix at [email protected]. Or call 941-962-5944.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: VIN MANNIX: Manatee High alum enjoying his 'Prime' for Savannah Bananas