IMHO... teaching people how to play (not just inviting them to
the fronton) is key to building a suport base for the sport.
Sure it is exciting to watch but I think when people, and specially
kids, put on a cesta and experience the excitement of throwing
a ball around is when they can relate to the sport and adopt it
as part of their identity.
I have strapped a cesta on 653 kids this year at my school to
experience that excitement of throwing the ball. I have been very
surprised that although the experience is very new to my students,
it is not for many parents of my students. In fact, a large number
of the parents have fond memories of going to the fronton with
their parents or grandparents during their childhood. I have found
that even a few of my parents or someone ralated to them, did
play or tried to play Jai Alai in the past. I even get a good
kick out of parents coming to my office to ask me if they can
use a cesta! Of course we are talking about the late 70's or even
80's years when the state of Jai Alai was a lot healthier than
today and so the fact is that at one point Jai Alai was a big
part of Miami culture.
What has changed?
Two things quickly come to mind (don't forget I am a teacher in Miami):
1) Orbea's Fronton
2) Miami Jai Alai School
These 2 hotbeds of Jai Alai produced hundreds of professional
players... all born and/or raised right here in South Florida!
It is the 'remains' of these 2 schools which presently
represents the 'leftovers' of the pinnacle of Jai Alai
culture of South Florida.
What I am surprised is not being done:
1) No support from either MIami Jai Alai or Dania Jai Alai. IMHO,
both frontones should have a school to develop the local Jai Alai
roots. After all... can't they afford it?
2) The Profesional Jai Alai Players Association (Sorry if I don't
call it the proper name!) should also be doing something to grow
some type of grassroots. Perhaps associating themselves with an
afterschool program, or volunteering time to teach kids how to
play [maybe with Parks and Recreation]. After all... whomever
they teach might be the ones to upkeep their profession!! Hey,
other than Benny, I don't see one single pelotari trying to teach
or volunteer to teach kids!
As a Phys Ed teacher, I can tell you that sometimes I get a little
frustrated not to have a wall (let's not even mention a small
fronton!!) to have my students throw the ball at school. If I
at least had a wall... I could play with my students 'a la
Plaza Libre' as they do in France.
As a wannabe player (yes... I have being trying to play in the
last month!), I also get frustrated that theres no places other
than Miami Amateur to play in (hey, thanks to Luis for keeping
that open!) as Miami Amateur is far from my house and it also
costs me a fee which is a little costly for me (which I totally
understand Luis needs to have paid so that in turn he can pay
the rent!!)
Unfortunately, at the end of the day is all about money! Whether
the frontones make enough money to 'rebuild' Jai Alai
by opening schools and hiring teachers... whether players make
enough money or a stipend to teach kids how to play...
Time will tell whether the 'maquinitas' are the savior
of Jai Alai, or the nails in the coffin!
