“Why don’t chickens play baseball?” (joke)

A popular children’s pun about baseball is:
 
Q: Why don’t chickens play baseball?
A: Because they hit fowl balls.
 
The joke has been cited in print since at least 1983.
 
   
5 February 1983, Lethbridge (Alberta) Herald, “Eggy Riddles,” pg. B7, col. 2:
Why don’t chickens play baseball? Their hits are always fowl.
 
Twitter
Mike Campbell
‏@mike_campbell
why don’t chickens play baseball?
8:03 PM - 19 Jul 2008
 
Google Books
A Laugh a Day Will Keep the Doctor Away!
By Jack V. Grazi
Xlibris Corporation (Xlibris.com)
2010
Pg. 217:
Why don’t chickens play baseball? Because they hit fowl balls!
 
Twitter
Michele Price
‏@prosperitygal
RT @diettogo: Why don’t chickens play baseball? Because they always hit fowl balls.**Groan and giggle at same time
11:53 AM - 5 Jul 2010
 
Google Books
Whit’s End Mealtime Devotions:
The Second Helping
By John Avery Whittaker
Colorado Springs, CO: Focus on the Family
2013
Pg. 18:
Q: Why don’t chickens play baseball?
A: Because they hit fowl balls.
   
Twitter
Uncle Duke
‏@UncleDuke1969
Me: Why can’t chickens play baseball?
Son: Ha! Cuz they only hit FOWL balls?
M: ‘Cause they have no thumbs, idiot.
S: …
M: Go read a book.
8:01 PM - 10 Aug 2015