Basque Pelota

[scruffy1]

I know I know, this is not a true pilgrim-type activity, the game is certainly not very pilgrim-ish, but it is quite an intriguing sport. Walking through Navarra one passes quite a few open air frontons, occasionally school children or adults actually playing or practicing the sport. The basic rules of the game I understand from visits to Cuba ( a nation bonkers after the game!) and their version played only with wicker basket scoops (cestas) often named jai alai or with paddles (paleta goma) and I seem to remember one version played bare-handed like handball. I would like to look in on a game while crossing Navarra but have no idea as to when the games are played, if there is a Pelota Season or championship or where the frontons of the more expert players are located. I have read the translation by Melczer of the Liber Sancti Jacobi and the rather uncomplimentary presentation of the Basque people found there so I would like to see them in more pleasant surroundings. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[mspath]

Scruffy,
To begin your research check out this link for the Navarra federation. Some frontons are most impressive spaces. For example this new slate hall in Bibao.
Happy research!
M

 

[gerardcarey]

Wow! That's a sight and a half Margaret.
Next time if I'm in a hurry I'll give the Guggenheim a miss and go there instead.
Wonder if you can hire a court?
I'd challenge that scruffy to a game.
Reckon I could give him a run for his money.
Loser has to shout vino tinto and tapas for dinner!
I wouldn't mind losing.
Regds
Gerard

 

[CaptBuddy]

I love Jai Alai. Played it at the fronton in Tampa back in my college days. Scruffy, I know you remember the fronton on So. Dale Mabry, just south of Gandy. (Scruffy and I grew up in the same town.)
The Hotel Akarreta, scene of the outdoor meal in The Way, is owned and operated by a former player, who played in Florida. In fact, I recognized him, and we talked of jai alai, Tampa, and 'Glory Days' through the night. His player name was Irun.
There is a lot on the 'intertubes'. I've watched replays of games from Bilbao.
Buena suerte, amigo.

 

[Kanga]

Pelota courts are a wonderful sporting resource - wish we had them in Australia in every little town, like Spain. Those walls are a great place for kids to learn how to hit balls of all kinds - tennis balls, cricket balls, hand balls - even to kick a ball against. And can be done solo. I often think the millions we spend on various expensive sporting facilities would be much better spent on providing a concrete wall and a small court.

 

[scruffy1]

I love Jai Alai. Played it at the fronton in Tampa back in my college days. Scruffy, I know you remember the fronton on So. Dale Mabry, just south of Gandy. (Scruffy and I grew up in the same town.)
The Hotel Akarreta, scene of the outdoor meal in The Way, is owned and operated by a former player, who played in Florida. In fact, I recognized him, and we talked of jai alai, Tampa, and 'Glory Days' through the night. His player name was Irun.
There is a lot on the 'intertubes'. I've watched replays of games from Bilbao.
Buena suerte, amigo.

Alas CaptBuddy, my mother never allowed me to visit the fronton in Tampa, a den of iniquity she said because of the gambling. I did visit once with my Dutch uncle and remember the experience very well. My visits to Cuba as an adult allowed me to see the game up close and learn the rules and the tricks, quite a game.

 

[Castilian]

There are two (main) enterprises that manage professional pelota vasca competitions:

www.aspepelota.com
www.asegarce.com/es

In Navarre, your best bet for pro pelota vasca would be in Pamplona. Couples championship usually runs from late December to April but you would need to verify the exact schedules on any of the webs I quoted above because there are matches at multiple locations what means it might be day(s) of championship without matches in Pamplona. Matches are (usually) on Saturdays. Single's championship is usually in May and June and 4 & 1/2 championship (made in smaller frontones) usually runs from October to December but you would need always to confirm the exact dates (both of the championship and of games in Pamplona) in any of the webs I quoted above.