Going Pantsless In Grant County
By Mike Bibb
'Funny Corn Hole' Poster, picture, metal print, paint by AestheticAlex | Displate
"I am not one to judge how a man plays cornhole," he said. "If he or she finds that he has a distinct advantage by playing without their pants, and they're operating within Wyoming State statutes, I'm all for it. I'm not going to take any action against it." — Sheriff Alex Bakken, Carbon County, Wyoming, reported in the Cowboy State Daily News, Jan. 29, 2026.
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Sometimes, things get a little mixed up. Like the time a Deputy Sheriff in Carbon County, Wyoming was confused with a Deputy Sheriff in Carbon County, Utah.
There's also a Carbon County in Montana and Pennsylvania. I assume their cornhole rules are about the same.
Both deputies in Utah and Wyoming may enjoy playing cornhole in their driveway — but only one does it without his pants.
A noticeable difference, but is it against the law?
After all, if it's alright to "open carry" a firearm, surely similar reasoning would apply when playing Commando Cornhole with a less lethal device.
Which brings me to the question: Did you know 14 of the 50 states have a Grant County?
Me neither, until I looked it up on Wikipedia. Considering General Ulyssis S. Grant is credited with being a bad-ass soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War. He later became President. I would have thought there would have been more counties bearing his name.
Confederate General Robert E. Lee has 12 states' counties with his surname — all in the South.
Incidentally, neither Ulyssis or Robert had anything to do with cornhole. Guess they didn't have time. There was a war going on and a nation to piece back together.
Today, I'm sure something called "Commando Cornhole" is played in all these areas. In fact, it may be the rage.
Apparently, it's identical to the original cornhole, with one exception — a player doesn't wear pants, shorts or underwear.
I'm not certain Sheriff Raul Villanueva has ever received a call from a distraught citizen informing him one of his deputies has been seen playing Commando Cornhole in his front yard — pantsless.
As in "Necked from the butt down."
Nor am I aware if such a legal infraction has ever crossed the county attorney's desk, or presented before a grand jury for possible indictment?
Or, for that matter, if playing cornhole half-nude is a civil offense? Especially if two or more people are involved. Maybe such activities are covered by the "Right to peaceably assemble and play cornhole — without pants" clause.
Let's consider other sports which could adopt similar pantsless policies to increase participation and media coverage: Tennis, bowling, pole vaulting, skate boarding, bench pressing, billiards, wrestling, high jump, fishing, soccer and MMA, among others.
Apparently, the American Cornhole Association hasn't specifically commented on the problem, advising: "The legality of playing cornhole nearly nude is not explicitly addressed in the rules, but generally, playing games in a manner that is considered indecent or offensive may violate local laws."
Suppose what the meaning of "may" means is up to the courts. It "may" be alright in Carbon County, Utah and Wyoming, but "may not" be alright in Grant County, New Mexico.
Until the State Supreme Court hears the matter, it's probably best to keep your pants buttoned-up until a ruling comes down.
Either way, no sense crying over it.
While Commando Cornhole infractions — allegedly — could be sweeping the country, it's social appeal has been a carefully guarded secret.
At least it hasn't reached the news studios of CNN. Who, without a doubt, would be reporting the unusual event as a Trump inspired stunt, more threatening to national safety than his Nazi Storm Troopers in Minneapolis.
Then again, Commando Cornhole participants may actually be a clever ruse to disguise pantsless Nazis.
Imagine, legions of advancing nearly necked Nazis, bean bags in hand, would immediately strike fear into the hearts and minds of ordinary citizens and cornhole sports fans.
Equally puzzling, when saluting do Nazi cornholers actually wear their swastika armbands on their arms or another part of their anatomy?
Admittedly, I had no idea of the depth Commando Cornhole has penetrated into our society. While I haven't checked to see if Commando Cornhole gear and apparel is available on eBay and other online shopping sites, it's probably just a matter of time before the Commando Cornhole Playoffs reach World Series and Superbowl status.
Budweiser and Coke will be paying millions for a 30-second TV ad featuring a Mad Rabbit pantsless-cornholer-lookalike tossing the winning bag as the final buzzer sounds.
The hysterical crowd and viewing audience would immediately rip off their pants in celebration while the Mad Rabbit facsimile, sans pants, is hoisted and simultaneously proclaimed the MVP and GOAT of the historic contest.
All of this would have never been possible without the inspiration and motivation of a Deputy Sheriff in Carbon County, Utah, who had the courage to show the world the popularity of playing a normally mundane game of cornhole could, almost miraculously, soar to unprecedented heights by simply dropping his pants.
Exhibiting such foresight, and other things, I'd almost bet he is destined to become the Chief Executive Officer of the Commando Cornhole League of America (CEOCCLA).
NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, ain't got nothing on this guy. Except, maybe, pants!!!
