Howard County Fair hosts donkey baseball game

ST. PAUL, Neb. -- 

Donkeys have a moniker, and more often than not, they're able to live up to it.

Each one has a unique personality and temperament, so controlling them can be quite difficult at times.

“I thought it was donkey basketball,” said Sen. Dan McKeon, who represents District 41, until he was made aware of it being with a bat and ball. “I’m always game.”

The Howard County Fair introducing a new form of entertainment to this year’s festivities, bringing in a show from Chippewa Falls, Wisc.

“This is the first time that I know they’ve done something, but it’s something different," McKeon said. “I’ve never played the game before. We’re in the second game, so we’ll see how it works.”

Donkey baseball is a different take on the American classic.

Around 40 brave souls learned the rules beforehand. The pitcher and catcher are on the ground and they can not touch the ball after it’s pitched. The hitter is also on the ground, and they have to get on the donkey after a successful hit.

Fielders can get the ball anyway they can, so long as they are holding on to their donkey. To make a throw or a catch successfully, they have to be high atop their burro.

Baserunning is equally interesting, because each time you get bucked off the donkey, it’s considered a strike. After three, it becomes an out, so staying on is even more important than getting a hit.

With Kent Boughton working the mic, folks at the fair were treated to a buckin’ good time - and quite a few falls.

“It’s kind of like me being at the (Nebraska) legislature. You’re working with a bunch of donkeys at times,” said McKeon as a base runner fell off the donkey behind him. “You struggle.”