Savannah Bananas pitcher Noah Niznik (88) throws a pitch during a Bananaball game between the Savannah Bananas and the party animals at Busch Stadium in ӣƵ on Friday, July 18, 2025.
After the Savannah Bananas played in front of capacity crowds for two nights at Busch Stadium this past weekend, ӣƵ native and Bananas pitcher Noah Niznik thanked fans for showering the team with love and being part of his "dream" weekend.
On Tuesday, the team emailed fans a handwritten thank you note from Niznik, an Imperial native who attended Vianney.
"I just want to thank all of you for the love and support you endlessly show us on and off the field! Being from STL, I spent my whole childhood dreaming of playing in Busch Stadium and being on that mound," Niznik wrote. "To be able to live out that dream in front of you, the best fans in the world, made it even more special!
"STL will always be home, and will always be 'Baseball Heaven.' I heard a lot of the guys say this weekend has been their favorite stop yet, and now see, what we are all about in the Midwest! From the moment we showed up, to the last 'Fans First' group breakdown, it was nothing but energy and excitement! We hope we put on a show for you! As the hometown kid, from the bottom of my heart, THANK You!!"
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Niznik, Friday's starting pitcher, was introduced as a ӣƵ native to the roar of the crowd. After the game, Niznik got to meet and chat with special guest pitcher and former Cardinals great Adam Wainwright.
Savannah Bananas pitcher Noah Niznik (center) gestures to the crowd as he is announced as the starting pitcher during a Bananaball game between the Savannah Bananas and the party animals at Busch Stadium in ӣƵ on Friday, July 18, 2025.
“I told him it was an honor just being a kid from here, growing up born and raised die-hard Birds fan,” Niznik said after Friday's game. “I just pretty much just told him thank you for battling for so long, wearing the Birds on the Bat on his chest and just competing every day.
“‘Thank you for being just truly an inspiration for me and my pitching career.’”
A Cardinals executive previously said the team was in talks to bring the Bananas back to ӣƵ in 2026. The demand for tickets in ӣƵ was higher than any other city on the team's 2025 schedule, a team official said earlier this year. There were more than 160,000 entries in the first 72 hours of the lottery for ӣƵ Banana Ball tickets.
Photos and Videos: The Savannah Bananas (and Adam Wainwright) take over Busch Stadium in ӣƵ
Savannah Bananas pitcher Noah Niznik (center) gestures to the crowd as he is announced as the starting pitcher during a Bananaball game between the Savannah Bananas and the party animals at Busch Stadium in ӣƵ on Friday, July 18, 2025.
Former Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright throws for the Savannah Bananas in a game against the Party Animals at Busch Stadium on Friday, July 18, 2025.
Savannah Bananas pitchers Adam Wainwright, left, and Noah Niznik share a moment after the game on Friday, July 18, 2025, at Busch Stadium in ӣƵ.
The characters of the Savannah Bananas team parade around the infield ahead of a Bananaball game between the Savannah Bananas and the party animals at Busch Stadium in ӣƵ on Friday, July 18, 2025.
Some babies were not as happy as other to participate in the baby race during a Bananaball game between the Savannah Bananas and the party animals at Busch Stadium in ӣƵ on Friday, July 18, 2025.
Savannah Bananas shortstop Ryan Cox, left, and pitcher and Imperial native Noah Niznik sign autographs before a game against the Party Animals at Busch Stadium on Friday, July 18, 2025.
The “Man-nanas” cheer squad puts on a show as they are announced during a Banana Ball game between the Savannah Bananas and the Party Animals at Busch Stadium on Friday, July 18, 2025.
The Savannah Bananas perform to a sold out crowd during a Bananaball game between the Savannah Bananas and the party animals at Busch Stadium in ӣƵ on Friday, July 18, 2025.
Children lined the railing along the end of the home dugout hoping to score and autograph from a player before a Bananaball game between the Savannah Bananas and the party animals at Busch Stadium in ӣƵ on Friday, July 18, 2025.
Savannah Bananas first base coach Maceo Harrison flips off the ground while Alex Ziegler practices bat ricks before a Bananaball game between the Savannah Bananas and the party animals at Busch Stadium in ӣƵ on Friday, July 18, 2025.
Savannah Bananas outfielder Reese Alexiades (2) hits the ball during a Bananaball game between the Savannah Bananas and the party animals at Busch Stadium in ӣƵ on Friday, July 18, 2025.
Party Animals pitcher Garett Delano (777) throws a pitch during a Bananaball game between the Savannah Bananas and the party animals at Busch Stadium in ӣƵ on Friday, July 18, 2025.
The Savannah Bananas stand for the national anthem before a Bananaball game between the Savannah Bananas and the party animals at Busch Stadium in ӣƵ on Friday, July 18, 2025.
Banana Ball founder Jesse Cole throws T-shirts to the crowd from the top of the first base dugout during a game between the Savannah Bananas and the Party Animals at Busch Stadium on Friday, July 18, 2025.
Split stands in the grass in the outfield of Busch Stadium during a Bananaball game between the Savannah Bananas and the party animals at Busch Stadium in ӣƵ on Friday, July 18, 2025.
Split holds a yellow case containing the "first peel" banana ahead of a Bananaball game between the Savannah Bananas and the party animals at Busch Stadium in ӣƵ on Friday, July 18, 2025.
