A small collection of newspaper articles from the West Schuylkill Press & Pine Grove Herald, Tremont, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, announcing and describing Donkey Ball events in the greater Lykens Valley area. For all other blog posts on this topic, see: Donkey Ball.
From the West Schuylkill Press & Pine Grove Herald, 13 September 1935:
Mr. and Mrs. Yerkes and Children and Mr. and Mrs. Fetterhoff took in the Donkey Base Ball at Tower City.
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From the West Schuylkill Press & Pine Grove Herald, 19 June 1936:
DONKEY BASE BALL HERE ON JULY THIRD
A Donkey Baseball game will be played on the Tremont Ball Field on Friday, July 3rd, at 6:30 P.M. This game is being played under the auspices of the Brennan-Kelp Post American Legion. Price of admission will be twenty-five cents for adults and ten cents for children under twelve years of age.
Anyone who has witnessed a game of Donkey Baseball knows what a riot of fun is in store for those who will attend the game on the 29th. Eighteen players will be needed and all those desiring to play are requested to get in touch with Mr. Paul A. Schick, Legion Commander.
If you did not see the last Donkey game played in Tremont, don’t miss this one. You’ll get more laughs per minute than you ever had in your life.
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From the West Schuylkill Press & Pine Grove Herald, 18 June 1948:
V. F. W. POST 3432 TO SPONSOR DONKEY BALL GAME ON AUGUST 27
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3432 of Pine Grove announced this week that their organization is completing plans for a “Donkey” baseball game in Pine Grove on Friday evening, August 27.
This novelty will feature tow local teams, and from all probability, will take place on the new diamond at the high school. It has been years since there was a “Donkey” game played in this community and the affair is expected to attract a capacity crowd to the new stadium. A similar game was held at the North End Park quite a number of years ago.
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From the West Schuylkill Press & Pine Grove Herald, 13 August 1948:
HOMECOMING COMMITTEE TO MEET ON TUESDAY
The final meeting of the Tremont Homecoming Committee will be held at the Legion Home on Tuesday August 17, immediately after the donkey ball game. All persons who are to take any part in the operation of stands, etc., are asked to be present.
Volunteers are needed for the cashier booths to sell tickets during the three-day celebration. Young girls or women who are willing to sell tickets are requested to report to Martin Hoff at next Tuesday night’s meeting at the Legion Home, second floor.
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From the West Schuylkill Press & Pine Grove Herald, 2 June 1950:
DONKEY BALL GAME UNDER LIGHTS HERE NEXT THURSDAY NIGHT
Not only baseball fans, but every man, woman and child in the entire West End is in for a real treat next Thursday evening in the form of a donkey baseball program scheduled for Pine Grove High School stadium.
There is no hoax about it. The fans expected to attend will see real donkeys trotting the bases in a game which is stamped “wilder than a rodeo and funnier than a circus.” Not a sing;e person in the Pine Grove-Tremont sector will want to miss seeing this fascinating attraction.
The contest will match the American Legion All Stars versus the local Junior All Stars, with all players compelled to execute their diamond skill on “horseback.”
The unusual attraction will be staged under giant floodlights, at 9 o’clock. This will mark the first night game at the new high school athletic field and probably the first after-daylight baseball game in the sports history of Pine Grove.
Tickets are available and can be had by contacting any member of the Legion ball team, at the local Legion Home or at the Pine Grove and Tremont offices of the Press-Herald. Donations for adults is 60 cents, for children 35 cents.
Local officials were fortunate in booking the donkey baseball program and it is hoped that fans will display their appreciation by patronizing the game.
[Photo with advertisement at top of this post]
Hey, Hey, It’s Here…
DONKEY BASEBALL
Wilder Than a Rodeo — Funnier Than a Circus
UNDER GIANT FLOODLIGHTS at
PINE GROVE HIGH SCHOOL STADIUM
THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 1950
American Legion All Stars
versus
Junior All Stars
Adults 60 cents —- Children 35 cents
Game Starts At 9:00 P.M.
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From the West Schuylkill Press & Pine Grove Herald, 25 July 1958:
DONKEY BASEBALL AT REINERTON ON MONDAY, JULY 28
It will be an evening of fun at the football field of the Porter–Tower Joint School System, Reinerton, on July 28 when the Porter–Tower Lions Club will sponsor something entirely different in the world of sport – a Donkey Baseball Game. This game, that is sweeping the nation, packs thrills, chills and spills. It is fun to the ‘nth degree. It will amuse the adults as well as the kiddies. If you have ever ridden a donkey you know what the players expect and you will want to be among those present when the whistle blows at 8:30 p.m. on Monday, July 28.
The Lions will oppose the Porter–Tower Rotarians in the Donkey Ball Game for the purpose of raising funds for the youngsters participating in the Midget Baseball League to this area. As this promises to be an evening of fun – Don’t Miss It!
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From the West Schuylkill Press & Pine Grove Herald, 27 August 1963.
Hilarity Ahead For Spectators At Donkey Ball Game
Wednesday, August 28 will be “Donkey Day” in Pine Grove.
These unpredictable animals will hold the center of attention at the high school athletic field on High Street, Pine Grove, where they will engage in a baseball game sponsored by the Lions Club at 7:30 p.m. in the evening.
This is said to be the finest group of Baseball Minded Donkeys on the road today, each a pastmaster at his own particular specialty, whether sliding, bucking or just standing still.
Those attending are urged to take particular notice of “Dynamite,” the leader of the donkeys. Like a true showman, he looks to the crowd and laughs heartily as only a donkey can, whenever he dislodges a rider.
With men trying to play baseball and donkeys doing everything to discourage their efforts, there is only one thing that can result, that is an evening of hilarious entertainment.
Tickets may be purchased from any member of the Pine Grove Lions Club.
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Articles from Newspapers.com.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.