Baseball hasn’t always been fun for everyone. But a wave of part-game, part-performance theater on the diamond grows by the year — with support from lapsed and new fans alike.
The latest entrant, Boom Ball, will close its inaugural season at Prince George’s Stadium in Bowie on Saturday.
America’s pastime gets remixed with a six-inning-game that wraps up in two hours. Each inning gets a different twist, such as the second and fifth innings, called “fanball,” where every ball in fan territory is live and spectators can record an out.
One of the main characters of Boom Ball’s flagship team, Lucky Llamas, is outfielder DC Banks. Some may recognize the Wheeling, West Virginia, native, who has appeared on “American Ninja Warrior” five times.
He started playing baseball when he was 5 and continued through high school. By Banks’ count, he competed in 14 sports growing up, with particular love of football and rugby.
But he was drawn back to baseball after watching and trying out for the Savannah Bananas.
“Last year, I saw a Savannah Bananas game and I was like, ‘Yo, I need to do this,’” Banks, 33, told The Banner on a phone call.
“You just see so many smiles on the players’ faces, and I’m like, ‘My gosh, baseball is always sort of serious. Why are there smiles on people’s faces?’ It looked like it was fun baseball again.”
Banks found his home with Boom Ball, which has toured ballparks across the country since March. He admits he’s still figuring out some signature antics, but he’s been leaning on television stylings with backflips and entering the game by descending a rope.
“Since I was there from the very beginning to what I’m seeing now, this thing is going to the moon,” Banks said.
Boom Ball activities begin at 5 p.m.; the game starts at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $20.23.
Here are other things to do across the capital region, including music and burger team-ups, ways to start Spooky Season and more.
One of Maryland’s finest
Thursday, 7 p.m.
Ellicott City’s Lindsey Jordan, who fronts Snail Mail, has been crafting some of the finest tunes in indie rock in recent years, including March’s standout album, “Ricochet.” She comes home to Maryland at the Fillmore Silver Spring to team with her peer, Sophie Allison — the mind behind the equally dynamite Soccer Mommy. The duo will give you a glimpse into the present and future of guitar-driven rock.
Burger from down under
Friday, 5 p.m.
One of the capital region’s best burgers, Gaithersburg’s Steeze Burger, will go back to its pop-up roots at The Family Room in Laytonsville. Owner and chef Hunter Karametos will be joined by his burger buddies at Leon’s Smash Burgers, which has grown an online following from its origin in Melbourne, Australia. They’ll wind down The Family Room’s Cars & Cones showcase of vintage vehicles and icy treats.
Admission is free; prices vary.
Leech Woods
Opens Friday and weekends through Nov. 1
A 10-minute walk through a trail of clowns. Scared yet?
The Damascus attraction blends a house of horrors with glow-in-the-dark axe throwing and fire dancers in rural Montgomery County. The newest attraction this season is “Clown Carnage,” a walking trail packed with clowns who pop out every few steps.
College Park Day
Saturday, noon-6 p.m.
The annual blowout at College Park Aviation Museum and Airport is highlighted by an all-day lineup of performances from dance troupes, a University of Maryland ensemble and a Taylor Swift tribute. Other festivities include carnival games, an artisan market and free admission to the museum — along with an accompanying helicopter fly-in.
Admission is free.
Fall Farm Festival
Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
The annual event in Kettering has plenty of fall fun to explore for guests of all ages. Kids can explore a pumpkin patch and a barn full of friendly farm animals. Or try your hand at games such as hobby-horse races and pumpkin bowling.
As a bonus, kids can fill out a bingo card of activities they’ve completed throughout the farm for a chance to win a prize.
Admission is free.
Angélique Kidjo
Monday at 6:30 p.m.
The Benin-born musician will talk about her humanitarian work at the University of Maryland’s Dekelboum Concert Hall at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. Students will perform a selection of her works “Malaïka” and “Bando.”
Admission is free.
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