​Party Animals’ Bronson Balholm celebrates with his teammates after winning an inning during a Banana Ball game against the Firefighters held at The Ballpark at America First Square in South Jordan on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026.
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Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
It’s 10:50 p.m. The Party Animals’ game against the Firefighters ended just over an hour ago, but Party Animals catcher Bronson “Bronny” Balholm is still at The Ballpark at America First Square in Daybreak, Utah. Still in his black uniform and his blinged-out necklaces, Balholm has swapped out his cleats for Party Animals Crocs while he talks with fans.After every Banana Ball game, players hold meet-and-greets with fans and stay until the last one leaves. Balholm’s line is usually the longest.
Fans sing and dance to music during a Banana Ball game against the Firefighters held at The Ballpark at America First Square in South Jordan on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026.
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Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
Every time the line to meet him starts to get shorter that Saturday night, more fans from the sold-out game join it. Balholm didn’t get much sleep the night before, concerned about the last two — now, three — losses to the Firefighters. He knows the Party Animals need to win to defend their championship title. But his exhaustion didn’t matter at the moment. The fans did.He wouldn’t be here without them, he tells me.As soon as a fan walks up to Balholm, they become his sole focus. It’s as if no one else exists. Many he’s met before — and he remembers them. Some cry when they meet Balholm. Others introduce him to their loved ones over FaceTime. A few young women try to get a date with the Party Animal. Some bring him gifts — bracelets; a personally curated playlist; hand-bejeweled sunglasses with his name spelled out in beads; and a sketch of him hugging his dog, Buddy, which Balholm proudly shows off to me and everyone nearby.
Party Animals’ Bronson Balholm poses for a photo before a Banana Ball game against the Firefighters held at The Ballpark at America First Square in South Jordan on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026.