Proceeds from donkey baseball to benefit park enhancement project

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

Get ready for a night of laughter and excitement as donkey baseball will take over the softball fields in Henning. This hilarious family-friendly event promises to bring a unique blend of baseball and unpredictable donkey antics that will provide a night of unexpected fun.

Similar to donkey basketball, local residents will ride donkeys as they try to hit and catch the ball, as well as “run” the bases on Saturday night. The event will not only provide entertainment as the summer months end but will also act as a fundraiser for the Henning Community Playground Improvement group. Proceeds raised from the event will benefit the community playground improvement project to make accessibility improvements to the local playground. 

Gates at the donkey baseball fundraiser will open at 5:30 p.m. The opening pitch is set for 7 p.m.  Tickets are $15 apiece and can be purchased at the door. Children ages preschool and under will be free of charge. 

Henning Police Chief Mike Helle, who is helping to organize the event, said there are still spots available for people who would like to participate on a donkey baseball team. Anyone who would like to register a team, or join individually and be assigned to a team, can contact a member of the Henning Community Playground Improvement Group or visit the organization on Facebook and send a message. 

Helle said the game will use similar balls and bats to what is commonly used in wiffle ball. Once a person hits the ball, they will need to get their donkey to first base by either running and pulling the donkey or riding it to the base. In-between the two games there will be an intermission where children can ride the donkeys and get an up-close look at the animals.

“We will do an intermission of 15-20 minutes and kids can come down and ride the donkey,” he said. “We have some pooper scooper’s and people to go into the crowd to make it a fun time.”

The event was organized as a fun way to raise money for the community playground improvements at both Amundson Park and other parks around town, including a small swing set in-between the baseball and new softball field. Some of the equipment that could be purchased includes handicap-accessible equipment that can be utilized by people of all ages. While the goal is to raise money to benefit the community, Helle said the hope is to also give people a fun way to spend one of the final nights of summer together.

“It certainly is going to be something different to get people out,” he said. 

In addition to donkey basketball, the Henning Area Community Association will host its annual Community BBQ from 4-6 p.m. The event will be held at the Henning Event Center and will include everything from turkey, pulled pork, coleslaw, pasta salad and baked beans. The cost of the meal is $15 for adults, $5 for kids ages 5-12 and children under the age of five eat for free. The annual Community BBQ was moved back two weeks this year to coincide with the donkey baseball fundraiser with the goal of making it more of a community event.