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Living the Jai Alai Life

We thought that Jai Alai (pronounced high lie) was just for crossword puzzles, but the game is quite popular in the Basque region of Spain. Sadly, it's nearly gone from the national consciousness of most other places on earth. Even though it was an international craze at the turn of the 20th century, only two courts remain in the U.S., both in Florida. Hardly national treasures, they operate more like OTBs than anything else.

It's surprising, because the game sounds exciting; players compete by alternately hurling a goatskin ball against a wall with a cesta, which is made from Spanish chestnut and reeds, trying to get their competitor to drop the ball instead of returning it successfully. The ball goes really, really, fast: Up to 180mph. Think of it as death squash, or extreme racquetball.  

If you want to see jai alai in person, villages along the Spanish coast near San Sebastian are your best bet. Information is sometimes posted here as well. It sure beats watching a bullfight, if you ask us.

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