James M. Banning (June 11, 1865 – October 14, 1952) was a catcher in Major League Baseball in the 19th century.

He played for the Washington Nationals of the National League.

Banning's minor league career included stints with the Fargo, ND teams of the Red River Valley League in both the 1887 and 1897 seasons.

He also appeared in a 25-inning contest for Fargo against Grand Forks, ND in 1891.

This biographical article relating to a United States baseball catcher born in the 1860s is a stub.