Chicago’s (New) Baseball Team
In a sports city known for tradition, the arrival of the Chicago Snowballs will disrupt the baseball community in new ways that are limited only by the imagination. It’s a reimagining how the beautiful game of baseball can be faster, louder, more inclusive, and unapologetically fun.
At first glance, the Snowballs invite an obvious comparison to the Savannah Bananas and that’s not accidental. But look closer, and Chicago’s newest team is building something distinctly its own.
Inspired by the Bananas…But Not a Copy
The influence is clear. Like the Bananas, the Snowballs lean into “sportstainment”, which is a blend of real baseball and musical theater. Expect dancing players, trick plays, music, and crowd interaction woven into a tight, fast-paced experience.
But the Snowballs are not part of the Banana ecosystem, nor are they trying to replicate Banana Ball rules or branding. Instead, they’re using the revolutionary concept as a launchpad.
Cherie Travis: The Vision Behind the Movement
At the center of it all is Cherie Travis, whose background is anything but typical for a sports team owner.
She’s a Chicago attorney, real estate investor, adjunct professor at DePaul College of Law, and instructor at the Chicago Police Academy. Her résumé matters. Travis isn’t coming from traditional baseball front-office culture. Rather, she’s approaching the sport as an outsider with a builder’s mindset. Cherie has openly acknowledged that her inspiration and singular goal is to create a “fun show that brings people together.”
Cherie Travis (Left) and Kristen Adamiak (Operations Manager) are the driving force behind the Chicago Snowballs.
Leadership Style and Vision
Travis’ philosophy is rooted in three ideas:
Opportunity Creation
Cherie has spoken about giving athletes, especially women and multi-talented performers, a platform they wouldn’t otherwise have. Many of the players have full-time jobs, some have families to support, and others want a shot to realize the dream of being a professional baseball player.
Community and Joy
The idea for the team reportedly came after seeing the Bananas and thinking about how to “spread joy.” That mission shows up in everything from ticket pricing to fan engagement. Cherie’s vision matches her personality which is filled with positivity, optimism, and generosity.
Hands-On Leadership
Cherie is deeply involved in every aspect of this new venture. She personally recruited the players and coaches, shaped the roster in alignment with her vision, and established an unwavering culture of fun and professionalism.
Key Differences That Matter
Cherie is adamant about the Snowballs not being a “Bananas Knockoff”. With the counsel of baseball and entertainment advisors, she set out to out Banana the Bananas!
Co-Ed Competition as a Core Identity
The key defining difference is the Snowballs (and their arch rivals the Rocket Squirrels) are built as a fully co-ed professional teams with men and women playing together, equally. This isn’t a gimmick, but rather foundational to the identity and mission. And, the girls can play!
One of the most popular and talented players on the Chicago Snowballs roster is Laila Summers, a former standout college softball pitcher who has taken the rare step of adapting her softball motion and athleticism to throw a baseball competitively. But Laila’s talents extend far beyond the mound. She is also an accomplished singer whose energy and personality perfectly reflect the entertainment-driven spirit of the Snowballs.
Unlike traditional baseball structures, the Chicago Snowballs emphasize equal compensation and opportunity across genders. This approach reflects the intentional leadership of Cherie Travis, who has built the organization around the belief that talent and contribution should determine opportunity, not outdated norms about who belongs on the field.
Under her direction, the Snowballs are not only rethinking how the game is played, but also who gets to fully participate in it and be valued for their role. This philosophy is a living example of how sports organizations can evolve when inclusion is treated as a core principle rather than a side note.
A Talent Show Meets a Baseball Roster
While the Savannah Bananas pioneered the idea of blending baseball with entertainment by bringing in players who learn to perform, the Chicago Snowballs take that concept even further. They make it central to their identity.
Within the Snowballs organization, athletes are expected to be not just baseball players, but as complete multi-disciplinary performers capable of contributing as musicians, dancers, circus-style entertainers, and even world-class acrobats. The result is a traveling variety show where sport, theater, and spectacle are fully integrated into one continuous experience for the audience.
A key figure bringing this vision to life is Paul Stancato, the Snowballs’ entertainment director and emcee during performances. Stancato serves as the connective tissue between the baseball and the entertainment, shaping the rhythm of each event and ensuring the energy never dips between innings.
Behind the scenes, his creative direction helps unify the diverse elements of the show into a cohesive production rather than a collection of disconnected acts. His presence on and off the field helps turn each Snowballs event into something closer to live theater than a traditional ballgame, keeping fans engaged from the first pitch to the final moment.
The Snowballs lean heavily into local flavor, what Cherie Travis describes as “pure Chicago energy.” That identity shows up in a performance style that feels a bit edgier, more urban, and unmistakably rooted in the city’s character, especially when contrasted with the Savannah Bananas’ signature Southern charm. Fans can expect more than just a game.
They will encounter familiar Chicago faces throughout the season, along with entertainment from local acts such as the iconic Jesse White Tumblers. Even the ballpark experience reflects that hometown pride, with the possibility of classic Chicago staples like Chicago-style hot dogs and Old Style beer featured at concession stands.
Groovin’ to the music of DJ Mike!The Experience: Baseball as a Full Production
Calling a Snowballs game a “game” almost undersells it. The organization describes each event as a live entertainment spectacle, with choreography, comedy, and audience participation baked into every inning. Several of the innings will include innovations not found in any baseball game in the world, including Savannah.
In addition to the slight of hand tricks after catches in the field, players breaking into song, team dances, interactive fan moments, and a two-hour time limit. Here are some of the new and entertaining ideas the Snowballs and Rocket Squirrels have in store for fans of all ages and backgrounds.
- Dodgeball: In the 2nd and 4th innings, after the second player up to bat hits the ball, a rubber ball is thrown onto the field. The runner has to round the bases without stopping and avoid being hit with the ball by the defensive team. If they are hit with the ball, they are out. If not, its a home run!
- Backwards Baseball: In the 3rd inning, players have to run in the opposite direction after hitting the ball. Third base becomes first base and first base becomes third base. Sometimes, runners forget which way to run causing fun and chaos at the same time.
- Carnival Baseball: In the 5th inning, the baseball field becomes a carnival of possibilities. Every ball that is hit, even if it is foul, it’s in play! It’s like the Snowballs version of the game of Cricket.
Cricket anyone?If traditional baseball is a slow burn, the Snowballs are designed to feel like a nonstop show. Cherie and her team plan to continue to innovate throughout this inaugural season with one goal in mind, which is a non-stop show with a surprise at every turn.
Yes, the Savannah Bananas lit the spark, but the Snowballs are trying to prove that the model can evolve to be more inclusive, more theatrical, and more locally flavored.
If they succeed, they won’t just be Chicago’s newest team. They’ll be a glimpse at where live sports might be headed next.
Full Disclosure
I’m an assistant coach for the Chicago Snowballs. My son, Rick (Slick Rick #2), is one of the players. After spending years coaching baseball hitters and college softball players, I was looking forward to experiencing this chapter from the stands as a proud father and fan. But as the preseason developed, Cherie asked if I would spend some time working with the hitters. What began as a simple effort to help players prepare quickly evolved into a larger role, and I am now serving as an assistant coach for the team.
Coaching at practices and watching from the dugout has given me a firsthand look at what Cherie is building. Beneath the entertainment, music, and energy is a genuine commitment to player development, teamwork, and creating an atmosphere where athletes can thrive while fans are fully engaged. I’ll still be a father rooting for his son who is living his dream of playing professional baseball, but I now have the best seat in the stadium.
Two guys who love baseball!Final Thoughts
Buy a ticket at the Chicago Snowballs website expecting baseball, but be prepared to leave talking about the entire show.
Fans can meet the players on the field after the game.
Love it! And of course you’re an assistant coach. No way you could resist being part of this!