Year: 1886

page_text: "
The paved flooring or "suelo
covers the whole length of the Court of 80 metres
(or less) and is finished on the right hand by a stone line 11 metres from the left-
hand wall.
The Front-Wall should be 11 metres in height, by 11 metres in width.
The Left-hand Wall extends the whole length of the pavement, that is to say
80 metres, (or less) divided, by painted black or red lines (which are numbered)
into 20 squares of 4 metres each, or less according to the size and' length of Court
built. The height of this Left-hand Wall for a distance of 24 metres from the
Front-Wall, is the same as this latter viz:-11 metres, gradually diminishing in
the following 16 metres (from the 24 metres) in a stepped form until the height is
reduced to 7 metres and from this point, which is half the length of the Court, the
Left hand Wall remains the saine height of 7 metres. The back, or rebounding
wall is 8 metres high by 11 metres wide and can be used or not, according to the
game that may be played, of which there are various classes.
The game is limited by the horizontal upper lines marked upon the Left hand
Wall, and also by those marked upon the paved flooring, which correspond with
the horizontal oues. Within these lines the player has to" serve
such "service"
D07
"

page_text: after being served by the player, and these mues are cancu
lines.
OF THE DIFFERENT CLASSES OF GAMES.
THE GAME OF "BLE,"
The game of "Ble" is, of the many classes the most entertaining and the one
which would be played in England in preference to many of the others.
"
This game can be played with the Cesta or "Chistera," (Basket) "Pala"
(Wooden Bat). "Guante," (Glove) or by the naked hand, called a
"Mano."
"
Upon the Front Wall of the Court there is fixed and located an Iron or Steel
band, from 4 to 6 inches broad, stretching from the Left-hand Wall the whole
width of the Front Wall, vizt. 11 metres and raised from the "suelo or paved
flooring at a distance of 1 metre, 18 centimetres. This band marks the limit and
any ball hitting the Wall below, or the band itself counts as a fault in serving or
as one notch or " tanto "
to the adversary or adversaries of the player or
players who may place the ball below this said band of Iron or Steel, this band
or limit line being in all cases a permanent fixture.
"
"
The lines of the pavement are subdivided into those which limit the minimum
of the rebound of ball served, called the service "Eskas" and into those which
limit the maximum of the ball's rebound called the Pass "Eskas."
"
"
"
The first mentioned or Service "Eska" for a game played with the naked hand,
should be 3 squares from the Front Wall, and at 4 squares for a game played with
the Chistera," (Basket), "Guante" (Glove) or the "Pala" (Wooden Bat). The
second or Pass Eska should be 6 squares from the Front Wall for a game
with the naked hand and 7 for playing with the "Chistera," Guante," or "Pala."
The Server, must bound the ball on the "Suelo " or paved flooring, previous to
serving it, behind the first or "service Eska" line, excepting in the game when
played with the naked hand, when he can bound the ball, upon any part of the
pavement or "Suelo," and after the signal is given to his adversary he must play;
he is allowed three serves, after which he loses a point or "tanto" if he does not
fulfil these conditions.
"
If the Server when he serves, changes his mind and does not wish to serve, he
can catch the ball with the band that is free, but only in this case is a player,
at any time during the play of the game, when played with the "Chistera,"
Guante," or Pala," allowed to touch the ball under any circumstances and in
the event of his so doing he loses a point or "tanto." (I should here state that the
former two instruments are firmly secured upon the right hand of a player, if a
right handed person or upon the left-hand, as the case may be, by means of tape
fastenings which are securely bound round the wrist when the band has been
inserted into the place for same on the back of either the "Chistera" (Basket) or
"Guante" (Glove)). The ball in rebounding from the Front Wall at any time, the
play may be going on, may be taken in the air or in any form, provided the same
has not bounded twice upon the "suelo," or pavement of the court and a player
returning a ball to any part of the Front and Left hand wall after it has twice
struck the "suelo," loses a point to his adversary.
If any special conditions are arranged between the players before the game
begins, so that a certain Square or "Eska" shall be used for service, the ball must
bound behind the arranged Square or "Eska" if not, it counts a point to the
adversary. The service, to be "good," the ball must rebound front the Front Wall
between the "Service Eska" and the "Pass Eska" but without touching either of
these so named boundary lines. If the ball should touch either of these lines, if
the first, or "Service Eska," it counts a fault, but if the second or "Pass Eska" it
counts as a "let." When the ball touches or bounds beyond the "Pass Eska" the
Server must return to his place, and again serve. If three times consecutively
he does this he loses a point or "tanto." If the ball when served, in rebounding

page_text: from the Front Wall, hits the Server or his partner (when more than two are
playing) anywhere on the body, before it is touched by their adversaries it counts
a point to the adversaries, but, if it hits either of the adversaries first, it counts as
a point to the Server and his partner.
The same rule holds good during any time in the game while "play" is
going on.
THE PLAYERS.
Two or more players divided into sides, can play a match, the usual number is
four two against two, Red and Blue colours are generally used to distinguish the
sides. A red "Boina" (cap) and "faja" (sash) are worn by those whose names
come first on the cards or advertisements of the match to be played, those that
come second wearing blue. All the players being otherwise dressed in white
trousers (flannel or linen) and shirt. In all questions that may arise during the
play, the umpire's decision is final.
The players having once begun the match or game, cannot leave the court or
pavement, not even for repose, nor for changing their "alpargatas" (a rope-soled
canvas shoe used by players of this game) therefore chairs are always ready and
may be brought to them as well as anything else they may require.
The players are not obliged in any match or game, to lengthen the number
(generally 50) of points arranged although they may at any time "Evens all" and
if the game should be lengthened it must be mutually agreed upon by all the
players. When playing a match or game, wherein it has been agreed to lengthen
the number of points, if both sides are even beyond the original amount of points
advertized, they can suspend the game if both contending parties agree to do so.
The maximum time any player can take for resting between the points, will be
2 minutes, but this does not apply for any player to change any of his clothes or
shoes or for any other necessity if required.
THE JUDGES OF THE GAME AND UMPIRE OF THE COURT.
The judges of the game must be thoroughly instructed in all the details and laws
of the game and give no preference to any one of the players and they must decide
in all cases where there is any dispute, and be 2 (or more) in number, or 1 judge
for each side playing in the match or game. These judges will have for president.
The umpire of the Court" who must be quite capable and competent, as in
addition to the above attributes, he has unlimited power. The judges are chosen
by the players before they enter the court and the Head Umpire by the judges.
The judges may sit wherever they think most convenient to overlook the game.
When they have any consultation, or doubt, or they have to resolve upon any
particular point, all the judges shall retire to a private place where their con-
sultation cannot be overheard either by the public or by the players. The decision
to be by a majority of votes. In case they should be equal in votes, the Head
Umpire of the Court, gives his decision which is final.
Los BOTILLEROS OR BOTTLEHOLDERS.
Each contending party of players has the right of naming a person who has the
special name of "Bottleholder," and his duty is to serve the players with anything
they may want and they cannot name anyone else during the time play lasts. The
"Bottleholders" may not go to the judges unless they are called, nor may they
communicate with
L
11

page_text: 66
13
"EL PELSTERO OR BALL KEEPER.
"
In every Court where ." Pelsta is played, there is a person who is named the
"Ball-keeper," his duty consisting in keeping in good order and service the court
and balls. Immediately a player sends a ball out-side the "Fronton" or court, the
Ball-keeper" will give him another ball until the first be found. This employé
or "Ball keeper" will see that the court is open from sunrise to sunset for all
those who wish to play, and learn the game, being duly authorized to charge and
receive a certain sum from all who may wish to use the court for such purposes and
he will have all the necessary things in connection there with ready, such as
"Chisteras" (Baskets) "Guantes" (Gloves) "Palas" (Wooden Bats) Balls, and
clothes for playing and changing such as trousers, shirts and "Alpargatas" (shoes)
etc. etc. This on every day, except on the days when there is there is a match to
he land

page_text: LOT Claying the same.
I, AUGUSTUS LOUIS APPLEWHAITE LEVISON of 225 Strand in the County of
Middlesex Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this Invention (a commu-
munication to me from abroad by Gaspar Leguina, Aureliano Montejo, Carlos
Gurney, and Carlos Levison, all of Bilbao Spain Gentlemen) and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
This invention relates to the means of playing a game known in Spain as
"Pelota ;" and it will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings
forming part of this specification wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of a court
in which the game is to be played viewed from the near back end. Figure 2 is a
plan view of a complete court with spectators' gallery. Figure 3 is an elevation
of the left hand side wall of the court. Figure 4 an elevation of the front wall and
Figure 5 an elevation of the back wall. Figures 6 and 7, 8, 9 and 10 represent
different implements used in playing the game. The same letters of reference
indicate the same parts in all the figures.
The game of "Pelota" is played in a court denominated in Spanish a "Fronton "
consisting of a level paved flooring A a front wall B left hand wall C and
rebounding wall D. E is the spectators gallery. The paved flooring or "suelo "A
covers the whole length of the court of 80 métres (or less) and is finished on the
right hand by a stone line 11 métres from the left hand wall. The front wall B
should be 11 metres in height by 11 metres in width. The left hand wall C
extends the whole length of the pavement, that is to say, 80 métres (or less) and
is divided by vertical lines c (painted black or red and numbered) into twenty
spaces of four metres each (or less) in width according to the size and length of the
court built. The height of this left hand wall C for a distance of 24 métres from
the front wall is the same as this latter-vizt-11 metres and gradually diminishes
in the next 16 metres in a stepped form until the height is reduced to seven
metres which is the height of the wall from the mid-length to the back end of the
court. The back or rebounding wall D is eight metres high by 11 metres wide,
and can be used or not according to the game that may be played of which there
are various classes. The game is regulated by the vertical lines c marked upon
the left hand wall C and also by those a marked upon the paved flooring which
correspond with the vertical ones. Within these lines the player has to "serve
such "service" being looked upon as "good" or as a "fault" according to where
the ball strikes after being served by the player, and these lines are called "Eskas
or boundary lines.
"
"
Of the different classes of games that may be played, the game of "Ble" may
be specially mentioned. This game can be played with the "Cesta " or "Chistera
(Basket) shewn in figures 6 and 7, the "Pala" (wooden bat) shewn in figure 8,

page_text: the "Guante" (glove) shewn in ngures 9 and 10; or by the mancu
a " Mano."
Папи
Upon the front wall of the court, there is fixed and located an iron or steel
band b from four to six inches broad extending from the left hand wall C the
whole width of the front wall B, vizt 11 metres and raised at a height of one metre
18 centimetres above the "suelo" or paved flooring. This band marks the limit
and any ball striking it or the wall below it counts as a "fault" in serving or as
one "point" to the opponents, this band or limit line being in all cases a permanent
fixture. The lines of the pavement are subdivided into those which limit the
minimum of the rebound of ball served called the service "Eskas" and into those
which limit the maximum of the ball's rebound call the pass "Eskas."
or
"Guante
"
" "
"
"
The first mentioned or service "Eska a for a game played with the naked
hand should be three squares from the front wall and at four squares for a game
played with the basket or "Chistera," the glove or "Guante," or the wooden bat
Pala." The second or pass "Eska a should be six squares from the front
wall for a game with the naked hand, and seven for playing with the "Chistera
or "Pala." The server must bound the ball on the "suelo " or paved
flooring, previous to serving it, behind the first or service "Eska" line, excepting
in the game when played with the naked hand when he can bound the ball upon
any part of the pavement or." suelo," and after the signal is given to his adversary
he must play; he is allowed three serves after which he loses a point if he does not
fulfil these conditions. If the server, when he serves, changes his mind and does
not wish to serve he can catch the ball with the hand that is free, but only in this
case is a player, at any time during the play of the game when played with the
"Chistera Guante or "Pala," allowed to touch the ball under any circum-
stances, and in the event of his infringing this rule he loses a point. I should here
state that the two first mentioned instruments are firmly secured upon the hand
of a player by means of tape fastenings which are securely bound round the wrist
when the hand has been inserted into the place for same on the back of either the
"Chistera" (basket) or "Guante" (glove). The ball, in rebounding from the front
wall at any time the play may be going on, may be taken in the air or in any form
provided the same has not bounded twice upon the "suelo" or pavement of the
court, and a player returning a ball to any part of the front and left hand wall
after it has twice struck the "suelo " loses a point to his adversary. If any special
conditions are arranged between the players before the game begins so that a
certain space or "eska" shall be used for service, the ball must bound behind the
arranged space or "Eska" if not it counts a point to the adversary. The service,
to be "good," the ball must rebound from the front wall between the "service
Eska" and the "Pass Eska" but without touching either of these so named
boundary lines. If the ball should touch the first or "service Eska" it counts as
a "fault" but if it touches the second or "pass Eska" or bounds beyond it the
server must return to his place and serve again. If three times consecutively he
does this he loses a point. If the ball when served, in rebounding from the front
wall, hits the server or his partner (when more than two are playing) anywhere
on the body before it is struck by their adversaries it counts as a point to the
adversaries, but if it hits either of the adversaries first it counts as a point to the
server and his partner. The same rule holds good during any time in the game
while play is going on.
The Players. Two or more players divided into sides can play a match, the usual
number is four-two against two-Red and Blue colors are generally used to dis-
tinguish the sides. In all questions that may arise during the play the umpire's
decision is final. The players, having once begun the match or game, cannot leave
the court or pavement, not even for repose nor for changing their "alpargatas" (a
rope-soled canvas shoe used by players of this game) therefore chairs are always
kept ready and may be brought to them as well as any thing else they may require.
The players are not obliged in any match or game to increase the number (gene-

page_text: rally 50) of points arranged although they may at any time be "evens all" and if
the game should be lengthened it must be by mutual agreement of all the players.
When playing a match or game wherein it has been agreed to increase the number
of points, if both sides are even beyond the original amount of points advertised,
the game can be suspended if both contending parties agree to do so.
The maximum
time any player can take for resting between the points will be two minutes, but
this does not apply for any player to change any of his clothes or shoes, or for any
other necessity if required.
The Judges of the Game and Umpire of the Court. The Judges of the game
must be thoroughly instructed in all the details and laws of the game, and give no
preference to any one of the players, and they must decide in all cases where there
is any dispute and be two (or more) in number or one judge for each side playing
in the match or game. These Judges will have for president "The Umpire of the
Court" who must be quite capable and competent, as in addition to the above
attributes he has unlimited power. The Judges are chosen by the players before
they enter the Court, and the head umpire by the Judges. The Judges may sit
wherever they think most convenient to overlook the game. When they have
any consultation or doubt, or they have to resolve upon any particular point, all the
Judges shall retire to a private place where their consultation cannot be overheard
either by the public or by the players. The decision to be by a majority of votes.
In case they should be equal in votes the head umpire of the court gives his
decision which is final.
"
Bottle-holders. Each contending party of players has the right of naming a
person who has the special name of "Bottle-holder" and his duty is to serve the
players with anything they may require, and they cannot name any one else during
the time play lasts. The " Bottleholders" may not go to the Judges unless they are
called, nor may they communicate with any of the public. One "Bottleholder"
may not undertake the charge of waiting upon both the contending parties in the
same match or game.
Marker. At the orders of the umpire, a person is named to mark the points of
the game and to call out the "faults" under the directions of the tribunal.
Ball-keeper. In every court where "Pelota" is played there is a person who is
named the "Ball keeper," bis duty consisting in keeping in good order and service
the court and balls. Immediately a player sends a ball outside the court, the "ball-
keeper" will give him another ball until the first be found. This employé or
ball-keeper" will see that the court is open between specified hours for all those
who wish to play and learn the game, being duly authorized to charge and receive
a certain sum from all who may wish to use the court for such purposes, and he will
have all the necessary things in connection therewith ready, such as " Chisteras "
(baskets) "Guantes" (gloves) "Palas" (wooden-bats) balls, and clothes for playing
and changing such as trousers, shirts, and "alpargatas" (shoes) etc etc. This on
every day except on the days when there is a match to be played.
The Balls. The balls used are usually of the following weights ;-
Those destined for hand play from 100 to 112 grammes
Do
46
pala" play from 112 to 116 grammes
Do for "gloves" or "baskets" from 112 to 118 grammes, and they
measure 6 centimetres diameter. The weights cannot be changed without a
special arrangement in the contract for a match. The number of balls for matches
announced will be eight, in the absence of any special condition that there shall be
more or less. All balls injured or unsewn for a length of more than one centimetre
will be considered as useless. Also, a wet ball which loses its weight, elasticity, or
shape, or one that is broken internally, can be used or not according as the umpire
may decree.
It is needless to give a description of the other classes of games that may be
played, as they are based upon the same rules as in the game of ".Ble" with some
slight differences only in the serving and playing of the ball.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is;-
1. The herein-described court for playing different varieties of the game called
"Pelota," the court being constructed and set out or divided, substantially as herein
specified and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
2. The different varieties of the herein-described game called "Pelota" when
played in or upon a court constructed and set out substantially as herein described,
and by the means herein specified.
Dated this 23rd day of October 1886.
A. L. A. LEVISON.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
Patent Agents,
53, Chancery Lane, London.