Exploring Archives: The Quirky, Creepy, and Mystifying - Donkey Baseball

The bizarre history of the "funniest sport on Earth" - donkey baseball.

By Megan Lockhart, Archives Technician

This poster from 1936 was promoting a game of “donkey baseball” which was held in Woodstock, Ontario on June 7 of that year. Yes, you read that correctly, donkey baseball. Four local teams took part, the Canadian Legion, the Oxford Rifles, the Ontario Hospital, and the Woodstock Baseball Club the game took place at the Woodstock Arena. Admission was 35 cents per adult and 10 cents per child.

Labelled the “funniest sport on earth”, donkey baseball wasn’t so much a sport as it was a comedy act. All players were mounted on a donkey except the pitcher, the batter, and the catcher. The rules were similar to that of traditional baseball, but with the addition of donkeys. Once the batter got a hit, he would mount a donkey and ride it to first base. The outfielders were allowed to get off their donkeys to pick up the ball but before throwing it had to get back on their donkeys. The ball was then thrown to the pitcher, which he then threw to the baseman. So, why donkeys? Donkeys are known for their stubborn nature, and it was often difficult for the player to control the donkeys and have them move where they intended which no doubt led to a slew of comedic scenes with players struggling to direct the donkeys to each base and some players even falling off their mounts.

So how did this crossover between barn and baseball start? The game of donkey baseball was mainly popular in the 1930s. The 1930s was an era of hardship for most. People were living through the Great Depression, a period of worldwide economic downturn which led to widespread unemployment and poverty. In difficult times, people find ways to cope, often through distraction and humour. Thus, cultural phenomena such as donkey baseball are born. The game of donkey baseball was invented in 1934 by a man named Ray L. Doan of Muscatine, Iowa, USA. The popularity of the game exploded and it soon became a trend across North America; however, it obtained a higher level of popularity in the Midwestern United States than it did here in Canada. A short film was even created describing the game in 1935, which can be viewed on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcNWfcdEJ6E

Donkey baseball games, while not as popular as they were eighty-five years ago, are still played in North America, mainly at events such as fall fairs. Today, donkey baseball is surrounded in controversy as it has been associated with animal cruelty. Some schools in the United States which once held donkey baseball games for fundraising purposes have stopped the practice due to the animals and human players sustaining injuries, with some donkey sanctuaries taking in the donkeys used for such games.