Katy Baseball Player Drafted to Banana Ball’s Firefighters Team
- ncookclark
- 6 minutes ago
- 2 min read
KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
December 11, 2025
By Natalie Cook Clark
In 6 years since their inaugural season, Banana Ball has taken the nation by storm with their unique baseball rules and fan-favorite dances and skits. In their recent draft, a Katy resident and longtime baseball player was drafted to The Firefighters, one of six Banana Ball League teams.
Lamar Sparks, 27 years old, is a Katy resident and baseball playing enthusiast. He graduated from Seven Lakes High School in 2017 where he starred on the baseball team and went into professional baseball after playing college ball/ His professional teams include playing for the Baltimore Orioles and the Milwaukee Brewers.
This coming baseball season Sparks is entering a whole new ballpark by joining the Banana Ball League and becoming an outfielder for The Firefighters. He was selected in the 4th round of the draft.
Sparks was introduced to the idea of playing Banana League ball from some of his fellow baseball friends.
“I’ve been to playoff games and the World Series and I’ve never seen anything like that at a baseball game,” says Lamar Sparks in reference to the fans in the stands and a Banana Ball game.
Sparks admitted that he felt nervous at the draft even though he’s been through this process before.
“To me a Banana Ball draft was no different than a MLB draft,” explains Sparks. “It’s a dream to play professional baseball no matter how I’m doing it.”
Sparks baseball career began at 4 years old here in Katy, TX. He’s thankful for his parents Rev. Pat and Gina Sparks and his sister Jency. Rev. Pat Sparks retired last year from being the longtime pastor at St/ Peter’s United Methodist Church, where Kingsland campus attendees often heard baseball references in their sermons.
Sparks loves baseball and inspiring a new generation of baseball players.
“Baseball is a game of failure, learn from failure and persevere, and keep going,” Sparks advises young players.
Sparks is excited to continue to grow in the Banana Ball League.
“It’s still competitive but this is so much more fun,” says Sparks. “This is good for mental health.”
He says that the tryout process was very unique as the first thing he did was a dance, something he has no previous experience with.
“I’ve always had good rhythm, but this got me out of my comfort zone,” says Sparks. “Then I got to work on some trick plays out in the field.”
Sparks says that they players were told that they were looking for good players and that they would teach them to do the rest.
“I’m very excited,” says Sparks. “I’m able to be part of something truly special and unique.”
The schedule for the 2026 Banana Ball World Tour is out. Learn more at their website.
Follow Lamar Sparks Banana Ball journey on his social media accounts.