Yuba-Sutter infielder Bobby Lada (11) cranks the first of four High Wheelers' home runs on June 20 in their 23-2 win against Northern Colorado. Photo by Steven Bryla

YUBA-SUTTER, CA (YSBC) - As the Yuba-Sutter High Wheelers completed their first season in our area this past summer, there’s no question they made a positive impact on the community.

The High Wheelers brought excitement and a new brand of baseball as they competed in the Pioneer League. 

As the new athletes joined the community this past summer, some made immediate impacts within the Yuba-Sutter area and were clear fan favorites.

Two former High Wheelers infielders will be missed next season as  Kirkland Banks and Bobby Lada were big favorites among the Yuba-Sutter faithful.

High Wheelers infielder Kirkland Banks (2) turns a double play in their victory over Glacier on June 10. Photo by Steven Bryla

Banks would hangout with his KB “fans of the game” after a home game and Lada’s energy and late-game heroics added him towards the team in a YS uniform this past season.

Banks was on the team until mid-August where he was let go on waivers. Banks hit .278 and had 32 runs batted in (RBI) before he was released after 55 games played this past season.

Lada completed his second-full season with the High Wheelers’ organization where he finished second overall on the team with 122 hits and posted a .312 batting average and with 21 home runs and 75 RBIs.

Banks was later picked up by the Idaho Falls Chukars towards the end of the PBL regular season where he participated in the final 10 regular-season games where he ended the season with their remarkable playoff run to the PBL Championship series before falling to the Oakland Ballers.

Banks and Lada set their sights out for a new identity of baseball as the Banana Ball Championship League had open tryouts as the league was expanding from four to six-full teams.

Yuba-Sutter infielder Kirkland Banks (2) fields and throws a ground ball in the High Wheelers’ 14-4 victory against Grand Junction on May 25. Photo by Steven Bryla

Banks expressed to Yuba Sutter Butte Colusa Sports that his age (26) is considered older in the game to get picked up by a professional club. 

Banks added that he was contacted previously by the banana ball organization for joining in the past.

“After they contacted me this year, I said I might as well try it since they play in front of big crowds,” Banks said. “Everyone is going crazy about them and at the end of the day I’m still playing baseball.”

Lada added that having friends and seeing how much fun they have experienced throughout their times within the Banana Ball brand.

“It’s a new opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and continue to grow,” Lada said.

Yuba-Sutter infielder Bobby Lada (11) fields a ground ball on July 12 in the High Wheelers’ loss to Grand Junction. Photo by Steven Bryla

Both Lada and Banks told YSBC that the adjustments of their fielding game from just fielding ground balls in a routine baseball to adding flare of flips and tricks took time.

“It comes a little bit more natural for Bobby and I,” Banks said. “We like the opportunity to add a little more to a routine play if we can.”

Lada was drafted in the second (10th overall) and Banks was drafted in the ninth round (72nd overall) by the Indianapolis Clowns.

The Clowns will be managed by former Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard.

“It was nerve wracking until the call came in,” Banks said. He added that you had no idea how to think, but it was an unforgettable experience that he’ll never forget.

Lada said that it doesn’t feel like a reality that he got signed by the Clowns because it’s so exciting and he can’t wait to get started soon.

Yuba-Sutter infielder Bobby Lada (middle) cools off with an ice bath after he hit the walk-off grand slam in the High Wheelers' 7-6 victory on June 29 against the Rocky Mountain Vibes. Photo by Steven Bryla

Banks and Lada expressed that when Banks was selected by Indianapolis he was excited to reunite with his teammate from the past couple of seasons and ready to do it on a big stage.

Lada said that he is excited for doing all of the fan experience encounters that makes the Bananas organization different from any other type of baseball.

“We get the opportunity to go out and play baseball freely,” Lada said.

As Banks and Lada will both attempt things out of their comfort zone in a new world, both are excited for the opportunity and experiences they will endure in 2026. 

They are scheduled to begin their journey in the middle of January 2026. For more information on tickets and schedules of the Banana Ball World Tour 2026, go to thesavannahbananas.com.