"Cowboy Pinball" makes headlines in Owensboro's "Bull Bash!"
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Photo via the Owensboro Times[/caption]
Things seemed to get a little too rowdy at the Owensboro Sportscenter Saturday night, when a game of "Cowboy Pinball" was featured in this year's "Bull Bash!" programming.
According to a report by the Owensboro Times, the “Cowboy Pinball” game was all done in pursuit of $100. The bill was tied to a bull's flank; the first participant to grab the money without stepping out of his circle would be declared the game's winner. In total, there were 23 volunteers who participated in the game. Each volunteer signed a waiver beforehand, which warned of potential injuries, accidents and even death, according to event officials. However, the national company in charge of overseeing the event refused to share a copy of the waiver with the Owensboro Times.
There is a video of the incident, and viewer discretion is advised. It's not clear if any of the participants suffered any serious injuries, but the video shows two men being thrown into the air and another one being cornered by the bull. Two event employees confirmed the second participant was awake and alert after the incident, but did seek medical treatment.
"A hush came across the gym," one spectator told the Owensboro Times. “This did not seem normal for [the producers of the event]. I never saw the [second] man [regain consciousness]. They were trying to decide who should get the $100 prize, and the people who were still left on the floor said they didn’t want it. They said to give it to the guy who was injured."
Laura Alexander, general manager of the Owensboro Convention Center and Owensboro Sportscenter, said her staff was unaware "Cowboy Pinball" would be played until it was announced during Saturday's event.
“We have spoken with the producers of the event and asked them not to include this game in [Sunday's] show in light of yesterday’s event,” said Alexander. “I have been told that this game is common among rodeo shows.”
The Owensboro Times @MaggieDavisKSR
Photo via the Owensboro Times[/caption]
Things seemed to get a little too rowdy at the Owensboro Sportscenter Saturday night, when a game of "Cowboy Pinball" was featured in this year's "Bull Bash!" programming.
According to a report by the Owensboro Times, the “Cowboy Pinball” game was all done in pursuit of $100. The bill was tied to a bull's flank; the first participant to grab the money without stepping out of his circle would be declared the game's winner. In total, there were 23 volunteers who participated in the game. Each volunteer signed a waiver beforehand, which warned of potential injuries, accidents and even death, according to event officials. However, the national company in charge of overseeing the event refused to share a copy of the waiver with the Owensboro Times.
There is a video of the incident, and viewer discretion is advised. It's not clear if any of the participants suffered any serious injuries, but the video shows two men being thrown into the air and another one being cornered by the bull. Two event employees confirmed the second participant was awake and alert after the incident, but did seek medical treatment.
"A hush came across the gym," one spectator told the Owensboro Times. “This did not seem normal for [the producers of the event]. I never saw the [second] man [regain consciousness]. They were trying to decide who should get the $100 prize, and the people who were still left on the floor said they didn’t want it. They said to give it to the guy who was injured."
Laura Alexander, general manager of the Owensboro Convention Center and Owensboro Sportscenter, said her staff was unaware "Cowboy Pinball" would be played until it was announced during Saturday's event.
“We have spoken with the producers of the event and asked them not to include this game in [Sunday's] show in light of yesterday’s event,” said Alexander. “I have been told that this game is common among rodeo shows.”
The Owensboro Times @MaggieDavisKSR
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