Action from a charity donkey-ball game on Jan. 21, 2005 in Pembroke, Kentucky.

Katie Thomas from the New York Times recently wrote an article detailing a pasttime that has been around since at least the 1930s, Donkey ball!

It is what it sounds like, humans ridin’ around a basketball court on the backs of donkey’s, playin’ hoops.

Most all Donkey ball games are for charity and despite that fact, of course there are the animal-welfare groups that say the donkeys are mistreated, leading some schools to cancel the events. That, along with a handful of lawsuits, has left some operators to wonder how long this peculiar slice of Americana will survive.

The rules of the game are basically the same as your everyday basketball game. The only differences are team size (4 per team) and there is no dribbling. Players must be astride their mounts in order to shoot, pass or play defense; and participants wear elbow pads and helmets, and usually attend a briefing on the rules and treatment of the animals.

The hilarity ensues when the referees encourage the donkey’s stubborn nature, having them buck or duck their necks — sending the players sprawling to the floor — and referees reward the mischief with delicious carrots! Other donkeys plant themselves under the hoop, providing players with a reliable scoring opportunity (there are no three second calls..).

“Donkeys have no place in a gym,” said Kristie Phelps, a PETA spokeswoman. “They are very easily confused, and they have no idea what’s going on.”

HOW IN THE WORLD DOES KRISTIE PHELPS KNOW THE DONKEYS ARE CONFUSED?!?!? DOES SHE TALK TO THE DONKEYS, OR IS SHE JUST AN ASS HERSELF?

LONG LIVE DONKEY BALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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