Sacred Heart Alumnus Mark Smith Brings SHU Pride to Banana Ball Stage
7/28/2026 1:00:00 PM | Baseball
Fairfield, Conn. – Former Sacred Heart baseball standout Mark Smith returned home to Connecticut in memorable fashion this weekend.
Fairfield, Conn. – Former Sacred Heart baseball standout Mark Smith returned home to Connecticut in memorable fashion this weekend, representing both the Party Animals and his alma mater on one of the game's biggest entertainment stages.
Smith, an East Haven native and current player for the Party Animals in the Banana Ball League, took the field at Dunkin' Park in Hartford, a venue that already held special significance in his baseball journey. During Friday night's game, Smith entered as a pinch runner before revealing what was underneath his Party Animals jersey — a Sacred Heart baseball jersey that he continued to wear for the remainder of the game.
The moment served as a tribute to the program where Smith starred during his collegiate career and to the home state that helped shape his baseball path.
"It was so great to be back in my home state of Connecticut, and even greater to step foot back into Dunkin' Park after playing here in 2022 with Sacred Heart University," Smith said. "It was very sentimental to me being able to reconnect with some familiar faces and truly a series that I will remember forever."
Smith played at Dunkin' Park during his time with the Pioneers in 2022, making his return to the ballpark even more meaningful. Now performing in front of packed crowds as a member of the Party Animals, the Connecticut native was welcomed back by fans who embraced both Banana Ball and one of their own.
"Connecticut natives were incredibly welcoming and showed their true passion for Banana Ball!" Smith said.
Since joining the Party Animals, Smith has continued to pursue the game he has loved since childhood, taking his talents to the professional level while entertaining fans across the country.
"Playing for the Party Animals has been nothing but a dream come true," Smith said. "I'm so thankful that I have had the opportunity to continue playing the game I grew up loving, especially at a professional level. What a blessing."
For Smith, the weekend was more than just another stop on the Banana Ball tour. It was a homecoming — one that allowed him to celebrate his Connecticut roots, reconnect with the Sacred Heart community and proudly showcase the jersey that helped define his journey.
Smith, an East Haven native and current player for the Party Animals in the Banana Ball League, took the field at Dunkin' Park in Hartford, a venue that already held special significance in his baseball journey. During Friday night's game, Smith entered as a pinch runner before revealing what was underneath his Party Animals jersey — a Sacred Heart baseball jersey that he continued to wear for the remainder of the game.
The moment served as a tribute to the program where Smith starred during his collegiate career and to the home state that helped shape his baseball path.
"It was so great to be back in my home state of Connecticut, and even greater to step foot back into Dunkin' Park after playing here in 2022 with Sacred Heart University," Smith said. "It was very sentimental to me being able to reconnect with some familiar faces and truly a series that I will remember forever."
Smith played at Dunkin' Park during his time with the Pioneers in 2022, making his return to the ballpark even more meaningful. Now performing in front of packed crowds as a member of the Party Animals, the Connecticut native was welcomed back by fans who embraced both Banana Ball and one of their own.
"Connecticut natives were incredibly welcoming and showed their true passion for Banana Ball!" Smith said.
Since joining the Party Animals, Smith has continued to pursue the game he has loved since childhood, taking his talents to the professional level while entertaining fans across the country.
"Playing for the Party Animals has been nothing but a dream come true," Smith said. "I'm so thankful that I have had the opportunity to continue playing the game I grew up loving, especially at a professional level. What a blessing."
For Smith, the weekend was more than just another stop on the Banana Ball tour. It was a homecoming — one that allowed him to celebrate his Connecticut roots, reconnect with the Sacred Heart community and proudly showcase the jersey that helped define his journey.
Saturday, May 16
Tuesday, May 05
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Wednesday, April 22
