The Washington times., 1921-03-11

DunuTeOS OF IuOuSduuS Vi uoiidIo al
other fans.
Jai-alai. meaning a merry game, Is
even more popular than horse racing
fronton. as Il Ia called seats $500
persons. but the crowds have been so
great that another fronton is being
erected at a cost Of $500. 900. and this
one will seat 5000 persons.
Emilio Eauiluz. a tall. handsome
Cuban, has been playing Jai-alai for
seven years, and has become such an
expert that he has little difficulty in
defeating his opponents. The result
has been the starring OF this agile
youth. and he is featured somewhat
like motion picture stars arc in the
United States. He plays only on the
big days-Saturday and Sunday.
Whenever EquiluZ Is billed to play
standing room is at a premium. The
best players in the islands are pitted
against him, but seldom has he been
outdone. So popular has he become
that the jai-slai fans a few days ago
presented him with a big automobile
But Emilio Is modest. He admits
that his salary from the fronton COM
pany is s., 400 a month; that he plays
only eight days a month and only
seven months in the year, because
there are no games from June to
October.
GAME KEEPS YOU FIT.
You don't have to take any exer-
else to be in condition to play this
game" said Eauiluz. THE game it.
self keeps you At and brings into play
every muscle OF your body: but you
must not let them become too hard
There is one thing ] am careful about
eating. / don't overeat and | feel
in perfect health. am six feet tall
and | weigh 1914 pounds.
Il wish jai-alai could be played in
the United States. The Americans
who come to Cuba get very excited
over the sport. They stand on their
feet and cheer, and ] am sure II
would be a success in your country"
Jai-alai Is the Spanish national
ball game, known there as pelota. 1t
belongs to an ancient family Of
games and has developed into a
great variety of forms in different
countries.
or all athletic sports none calls
for greater strength, endurance. skin
ard dexterity on the part of the
player. perhaps, than jai-alai.
The game Is played in fronton.
Each one Is known by special
name. The one at Havana is said
to be the most important in the
world.
The court or playing ground tcan-
cha) Is a rectansle 21o feet long
and IS feet WIDE. paved with c.
ment The front, rear and side walls
are of granite blocks, laid with the
greatest care. On the front wall
0rontis) three narrow strips of thin
metal are fastened, one parallel to
the floor, three feet and three inches
above It; the second, parallel to the
first, thirty-six feet higher. The
third is a vertical band connecting
the outer ends Of the other two.
The back wall (pared de rebote)
laid in the same position as the
second and third strips on the front
wall. The side wall (pared
izauierda) has a single horizontal
strip running the entire length of
the court at height of thirty-nine
feet three inches above the floor.
The individual games (ainielas) the
players are numbered by lot. Number
begins the play by serving to num-
Der 2, and the point Is played out be-
tween the two as in the cases of
match games. The loser OF the point
retires and player number 3 takes his
place. The winner of the first point
serves the ball to player number 3,
and the point is played out as before.
In this way the game continues, the
players coming out in succession I'm
I'll one has scored the required mum
Der CASUALLY six points. II is in the
individual games that Emilio Equi-
luz shines out as the tai-slai star of
Cuba, although his work in the games
Is brilliant.
The ball used IL about the size OF
an ordinary tennis ball. but Is made
OF solid Brazilian gum and costs SIS.
The price OF seats for the games rune
from 30 cents for gallery tickets to
f12 for a box OF six seats. The show
starts at $50 p. m. There are usually
two team games and two individual
games during the evening. 4 band
plays during intermlssion and tho
betting, mostly Feri-mutuel. progress
es. Bookmakcrs wearing red caps
mingle with the audience. writing
their tickets.
IT'S great sport, and n YOU see