“Donkey ball” looks like an ass-load of fun

 Posted by on 18 April 2009  Modern Life
Apr 182009
 

The New York Times — quality journalism for quality people — directs me to the tradition known as Donkey Ball:

a quirky twist on basketball in which humans ride donkeys. Called donkey ball, the pastime has been around since at least the 1930s, kept alive by fewer than a dozen family businesses that truck the donkeys to school gyms across the country in exchange for a cut of ticket revenue.

As the video above shows, it’s more of an excuse to ride donkeys in the gym than it is a real competitive sport. In fact, despite hundreds of YouTube videos, I had to search long and hard to find one that actually appeared slightly like basketball, and not just teens screaming with laughter as their peers tried to mount donkeys and either fell or were kicked. Entertaining, sure, but not Donkey Ball (unless kicked in the testicles?)

The New York Times says that the practice is starting to draw the ire of animal rights people. But the article is long on hyuck, hyuck, and short on finger-wagging.

I think the real problem is a lack of quality activities for rural kids (besides hillbilly heroin). Parents: This is your child on 4-H!

Grant Hamilton

  • Stumpy

    In that particular video you linked, there were donkey handlers that stopped the kid from yanking on the reins, and they stopped the donkey to help the kid get on it. They are being fed carrots and getting exercise and mental stimulation, those things seem to be like good things for donkeys. Methinks it would take some effort for animal rights people to prove that the donkeys are suffering stress while playing Donkey Ball.

    Is Donkey Ball much different from polo? Is PETA going after them next?

    • http://www.absurdintellectual.com/ Grant Hamilton

      According to the article, the handlers actually train the donkeys to be obnoxious and to make it difficult to play, including throwing the riders off. I have a hard time buying the argument that this is bad for the donkeys. Maybe it’s not idyllic, but donkeys have been used as pack animals and work animals for ages. This is a pretty sweet gig.

      That’s a good point about polo, too! PETA probably does have issues with polo, mind you.

  • Stumpy

    True, I’m sure there world is full of animal rights groups that protest animals being used in any way that doesn’t include them roaming a free range and receiving only snacks and cuddles. I think Donkey Ball is pretty amusing, even though my experience working at the BU gym makes me cringe at the thought of donkey hooves marking up the court, and then there’s the pooop…. Hey, does the Brandon Winter Fair still do that slippery-pig chase? They better watch out for PETA too…