As a fan I appreciate the info you have shared here. And I completely
agree with you about the importance of (and lack of) proper form
when it comes to Americans playing this great game. Back when
we had schools they produced some Americans who had learned the
right way to throw, control the ball, rebote, remate, etc. Not
all...but those who had these tools became the stars. We don't
see that now. There are Americans who have some natural athleticism
who become good enough to compete, but we don't see that textbook
pure jai-alai style anymore. Of course not all Basques have the
proper training either, but more do....I think as a result of
more opportunities for instruction and court time and usually
the chance to start at a younger age. You can't fault the Americans
in that sense, nor do I blame them for taking the chance to go
pro if a player manager watches them play and is willing to sign
them.
I remember back when I was a serious amateur player I was practicing
one day with some pros, and I remember Corky asking me "Why
aren't you playing pro?" Now I will admit that I was glad
to hear that a pre-strike pro paid me that compliment and thought
I could play pro. But my response was that I was not ready....and
what I meant by that was that I wanted to play pro only if my
talent got to the level that would have been good enough to play
before the strike. In other words, I did not want to barely be
able to play early games on a weak roster and play just to say
I was a pro. People who do that seem to stop progressing, stop
practicing and have a short career. I wanted to be a pro only
if it meant being what I'll call a 'real' pro, if that
makes any sense. Maybe only those who truly follow this sport
and know the difference understand that point of view. In my case
since I started late (18) and finished school before getting to
that level I ended up in a non jai-alai career, but with no regrets
and the knowledge that I did not embarrass myself or be another
also-ran pro who hadn't taken the time to develop into a true
pelotari.
