Overview
- The Indianapolis Clowns selected the 2018 ALCS MVP first overall in the inaugural Banana Ball draft, confirming his full-time commitment for the 2026 season.
- The Championship League launches in 2026 with a 60-game schedule as the Clowns return through a partnership with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
- Bradley, who last appeared in MLB in 2023 with the Royals, previously played a Banana Ball game at Fenway and says an MLB comeback is possible though not a priority.
- Founder Jesse Cole cast Bradley as a potential trendsetter for late‑career pros seeking shorter seasons, with league attendance projected at 3.2 million next year.
- Indianapolis also added right-hander David Griffin in the second round, following earlier Banana Ball cameos by Roger Clemens and Johnny Damon that paved the way for ex-MLB participation.