Mon Apr 14 00:30:00 UTC 2025: ## From Lynnfield Little League to Banana Ball: Local Unicyclist Lands Pro Baseball Contract

**Lynnfield, MA** – Jonathan Luders, a Lynnfield native, is trading in his New England roots for the sunny skies of Texas, all thanks to a fourth-grade unicycle class and a viral social media presence. The former Seton Hall University baseball player has signed with the Texas Tailgaters, a new team in the wildly popular Banana Ball League, founded by fellow Massachusetts native Jesse Cole.

Luders’ journey to professional baseball is anything but ordinary. His baseball career began in Lynnfield Little League, continued through high school and a five-year stint at Seton Hall (extended by a COVID-19 interruption). He even played for the North Shore Navigators and briefly in the Cape Cod League, boasting a perfect 1.000 batting average after a single hit before his release. A knee injury derailed his attempt to enter the MLB Draft League last summer, but Luders didn’t give up. He continued training and posting videos on social media, unknowingly catching the eye of Cole.

The key ingredient? His unicycle. Luders’ unique skill, learned in a before-school class taught by his elementary school gym teacher, Ms. Robertson, became a surprising highlight reel. Videos of Luders practicing his batting skills while riding a unicycle went viral, leading to Cole’s attention and a contract offer. Luders will combine his baseball skills with his unicycling abilities in the unique and fan-centric Banana Ball League.

“I never imagined unicycling on a baseball field!” Luders exclaimed. “It’s a dream come true,” he added, expressing excitement about playing in a league known for its fun, engaging atmosphere and fan-first approach. His first game with the Texas Tailgaters will be against the Party Animals in New Mexico this May. The Banana Ball League’s return trip to Fenway Park is scheduled for July 5-6.

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