Story: Miami: Home of the World's Fastest Ballgame

Eight pairs of men, each wearing numbered jerseys of a given color, march out to the center of the stage to ceremonial bull-fighting music. They give the crowd a synchronized wave of the Cesta. All but the first teams walk back to the bench. The betting clock completes its countdown. Bettors scramble to the cashiers. A loud buzzer sounds. The referee whistles. The first player bounces and serves a ball. The game is on. Movements are masterful, creating brilliant challenges. A magical combination of acrobatics and dance, players run, jump and leap. The crowd cheers.

Looking for a way to add some excitement to your vacation in Florida? In this lovely land of sunshine there are other awesome adventures awaiting you, like Jai Alai! Called "the world’s fastest ballgame” by the Guinness Book of World Records, Jai Alai (pronounced ‘hi-lie’) is an upbeat, high-speed game played with a rock-hard ball traveling up to 180 miles per hour. Fiercely competitive, it’s a big-time thrilling and fun experience for all who attend.

My interest in Jai Alai began during my first escape from the cold New York winter to Miami. With its blend of tropical charms and big city sophistication, Miami is a perfect winter destination that held many exciting attractions for me: the sun, blue skies, a beautiful trail of beaches, and a fabulous Art Deco District. But a big draw came to be one night when my aunt and uncle took me to a Jai Alai fronton—or stadium—located just west of downtown Miami.

Walking in the fronton was fascinating. The playing court was in a vast open space, three stories tall surrounded by several tiers of stadium sections. We sat in the lower level, close to the stage. A former dance teacher, I was mesmerized with the energy, strength, technique and artistic expression of movement in each player.

I followed the play-by-play action as teams caught the ball in an enlarged basket accumulating points. A spectacular sport, the game was exciting right to the very end. I had to know more, and began visiting often. Soon I learned about the game, and became friends with a great American player, Joey Cornblit, who retired in the fall of 1995 after a phenomenal 24-year career. I even experienced the thrill of being a winner.

What is Jai Alai?

Jai Alai is best described as an exotic, indoor, and fast-paced game of Basque and Spanish-style racquetball, offering more action and excitement than any sport in the world. Agile athletes hurl a rock-hard ball back and forth at high velocity, with speeds up to 180 miles per hour. Opposing players or teams alternate hurling a ball against a wall and catching it until one of them finally misses and loses the point. Adding to the fun and thrill of the game is the dimension of wagering with the opportunity to win thousands of dollars.

The History

In the Basque language, Jai Alai means “Merry Festival.” A unique sport played in various places around the world; Jai Alai came to Cuba from Spain in 1989. The most daring of games played at festivals in Spain, Jai Alai was fully introduced as a professional game at the Miami Fronton in 1926.

From being a regional sport, Jai Alai spread out to different cities within Spain and as far as mainland China and Egypt, as well as to Mexico, Brazil, the United States, the Philippines, Italy and Indonesia, among others. Through the years, some frontons opened and others closed. But wherever it played, Jai Alai created an interest in the audiences and many youngsters started to play, contributing to the creation of a great number of excellent players throughout frontons of the world. World Jai Alai, based in Miami, has promoted the most extensive amateur Jai Alai program ever, with a number of schools in Spain, France and one in Miami.

Jai Alai Equipment

Cesta
Attached to the players arm is a wicker basket—hand-made from reeds found only in the Pyrenees Mountains of Spain—used to hurl balls at high velocity against a wall at high speed to score points. The cesta is custom made and fitted to each individual player.

Pelota
Considered the most lethal ball of any sport, the pelota is the size of a baseball and harder than a golf ball constructed of hand wound Brazilian rubber with two hand-sown goatskin covers. Each time one is used, it’s checked to ensure the correct weight and that it is perfectly round. If it isn’t, it’s removed immediately from game-play.

Protective Helmet
In 1968, it became mandatory that players wear a protective helmet constructed of a tough acrylic material to provide protection from the rock-hard speeding pelota.

Player Jersey
Designates post position by color and front number, and the player by back number. Each game has eight post positions, Number 1 through 8, with eight corresponding colors.

Faja
The traditional red sash belt worn by the players. In Europe, the color of the belt determines the post position.

Shoes

Players wear rubber soled professional athletic footwear that provides maximum traction on concrete floor and the sidewall.

How to Play

Win – Wager that a team or player will finish first or second. Whether your team is first or second you receive the price shown alongside “Place” on the scoreboard.

Place – You wager that a team or player finishes at least third, and receive the price shown alongside “Place.”

Show – Wager that a team or player will finish at least third. You receive the price shown alongside “Show.” Tickets for Win and Place are $1 and above.

Quiniela – Pick two teams to finish first and second in any order. Regardless of which of your teams wins or is second, you receive the “Quiniela” price. Tickets are $2 and above.

Quiniela Boxing – Increase your chances of winning by tying up all possible combinations on a three-number box. For example, if you purchase tickets on 1-3-5 you have three numbers tied up: 1-3, 1-5, and 3-5. A win in any of these combinations gives you the quiniela price. When placing a wager, ask for your three numbers. The cost is $1 per combination.

Trifecta – Pick the three teams or players to finish first, second and third, in that exact order. For example, if you pick a 1-3-5- trifecta, the number 1 must win.

What’s New

In recent years, several schools in the Basque Provinces within France opened schools for youngsters who have enrolled in the professional rosters of American frontons. The same has happened with their American counterparts. Everyday, there are greater numbers of American players throughout the frontons of this country.

Take a Jai Alai Vacation

Come and enjoy all the exciting, live action. Nothing can match the excitement of being at the fronton itself. You’ll go home feeling like a winner—figuratively and literally.

Directions

Miami Jai Alai is located at 3500 N.W. 37th Avenue, ten minutes from the Miami International Airport. Open year round daily except Tuesday, the facility with its luxurious décor and Court View Clubhouse is undoubtedly awesome. Post time for matinees is noon and 1 p.m. on Sundays. Friday and Saturday games start at 7 p.m. General admission is $1. Reserved seats are $2. Valet parking is available. For reservations or information, call 305/633-6400.