Jai-Alai Fronton Closing After 48 Years in Seminole

Credit: Orlando Media, Bill from JaiAlaiUSA.net

Orlando Jai Alai, the Seminole County parimutuel where gamblers bet on handball-like games, is closing after nearly 48 years in business.

Employees were told Thursday that the struggling fronton's last day of operation would likely be Dec. 27.

Mutuels manager Howard Ostrom said the business' leadership had been trying aggressively for years to keep the business afloat, but increasing competition from other gambling outlets in the state contributed to its demise.

"I think most [employees] knew the writing was on the wall," Ostrom said. "Business was dropping steadily for years."

Fronton owner Hort Soper could not be reached for comment.

Jai-alai games are played February through April. The rest of the year, people come to place bets on races and games at tracks across the country.

On Thursday, some customers said they were upset but not surprised.

"We're like a family here," said Pedro Santos, 56, who lives in Kissimmee and has been coming to the fronton for 10 years. During that time, he said attendance has decreased dramatically.

"On a day like this, you'd see this place packed," he said, gesturing toward a room where a few small clusters of people moved about, and where most betting carrels were empty.

Crumpled betting tickets littered the floor and occasionally someone hollered while watching a race on a TV screen at a faraway track. There were no waits for placing bets.

About 75 people work at the fronton year-round. The fronton also employees about 30 jai-alai players, who fling small balls with boomerang-shaped baskets strapped to their wrists.

Live racing and jai alai have been declining in popularity across the state, but the Fern Park pari-mutuel was especially vulnerable because Seminole County prohibits card rooms.

Betting facilities in other parts of the state have propped up their finances with poker games. Ostrom said unfair policies at the state and county level put the business at a disadvantage. In recent years, the fronton tried to get annexed into Casselberry, where it hoped to receive authorization to open card rooms, but city commissioners weren't interested.

Casselberry Mayor Charlene Glancy, who opposes gambling, said she hates to see any business close, but she noted that it could be an opportunity for the land next door to the city limits.

"It's possible the time for jai alai has passed, and there will be a stronger interest for a different type of business there. We'd love to have it if it could be something else."

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Well I have many thoughts on this Jai Alai fans and I will post them after I gather all the facts. Just a very sad time for jai alai, another facility lost, another amatuer program lost, many jobs lost including a family of three who all worked at the fronton.

Bye bye from Orlando Jai Alai after 48 wonderful years, signing out its HOV.

Elizegi

There was some mentioning of Elizegi and his absence from the World Championship at Club Fronton. It was told from Fronton member “Dpo” that he was excluded do to his temperament, which was his eventual downfall at Miami Jai Alai. What a shame, he was one of the most exciting players to watch of the late 90s – mid 00s. He had that ferocious style and he attacked the pelota at every opportunity. He always favored the picada, and he had monstrous power from either side. When he stepped on the cancha you could feel that “business was about to pick up”. He was not the best catcher in the world but made that up with effort and desire. He never favored long volleys and the closer he crept to that front wall, the quicker the point was going to be over with one of his powerful forehands.

He was extremely emotional, which is rare for a jai alai player. I have many, many memories of Elizegi (including the “high cesta in vain” to Michelena and Arra after winning the Citrus for Orlando) but one stands out in my mind. It was a game 12 championship singles game on a Friday night in December, and there was a halfway decent crowd on hand. The game before, game 11, Goiko and Elizegi were running the game out from post one, just dominating the game when they ran into post eight which I remember being Orbea and Wayne.

Well it was a great point, Goiko was throwing everything at Wayne and Wayne was doing it all – climbing the wall, fall down rebotes, desperation right side rebotes, scrapping the sidewall – it was amazing. Finally with Goiko cheating inside, a rebote comes out to Orbea and he fires a soft, long rebote that isn’t thrown wide enough and Elizegi is just waiting on the wood. Like a lion ready to pounce he snatches the soft rebote and fires one of the hardest right side rebotes I have ever seen, but it landed well out of bounce. The crowd went nuts whistling and booing, and Elizegi exchanges words with several of the patrons. He was seething, his body tense and pulsating with anger. The eight runs it out.

Next game, the championship singles and the lineup was as follows:

1 Goiko

2 Tevin

3 Luis

4 Elizegi

5 Laucarica (sub)

6 Benny

7 Irastorza

8 Wayne

So the game starts with a long volley between Goiko and Tevin and eventually Tevin seats Goiko with a well placed left side rebote carom. Tevin handles Luis with ease and then faces Elizegi. I should note that during warm ups for game 12 Elizegi was still hot - pacing around, and when he got a chance for a practice shot he was just drilling the ball.

Anyway Tevin serves it to Elizegi and he fires a merciless right side carom from the back wall that scores and hits the side screen with great authority. The next point he overserves to Laucarica and while in the cage takes off his cesta and slams it into the ground, he is clearly ready to explode. Next point Benny hits the overhead screen, and then the 7 Irastorza sits down Laucarica. Wayne then defeats Irastorza and he beats Goiko when Goiko threw a rebote carom off the court. Luis defeats Wayne, then Tevin defeats Luis and up again comes Elizegi.

Great point with Tevin doing everything possible to beat Elizegi but Elizegi was possessed he was saving everything and Tevin could not locate the chic chac. Finally Elizegi catches a left side at the nine line and is now on the offense. Roles reverse and it’s now Tevin saving everything trying to stay alive. Elizegi was repeatly placing the big forehand on the inside and I told my wife that he is setting him up for the carom. Finally after getting another desperation rebote out of Tevin, Elizegi receives at the three line. He winds up the big overhead forehand and Tevin once again retreats to the sidewall where the previous forehands have gone, instead this time Elizegi throws the carom and it scores. Immediately Elizegi starts to glare at the fans that were pestering him and gives the entire front row a vicious glare and struts past them with great swagger. I was loving watching this unfold.

Next up the six Benny and Elizegi beats him with ease and then up comes Laucarica, Elizegi on game point. Laucarica returns the serve from the right and Elizegi is just stalking the pelota from the six line. He catches from the right and throws a huge right side forehand that screams toward the back wall with visions of “Chula” written all over it. It takes a sharp bounce and Laucarica dives back and just gets enough of the cesta under it to save it. Elizegi takes it from the three line from the left side and hammers it of the middle of the back wall. Laucarica returns a weak left side rebote, very high off the wall though and Elizegi catches from about the nine line and hammers it. This reoccurs about 5 times and finally Laucarica switches the tempo up and throws a left side rebote dejada but it is up on the front wall enough for a charging Elizegi to catch it from the left. Elizegi attempts the home run but Laucarica has just enough room at the 1 ½ line to tap a left side rebote. Elizegi who was standing in the middle of the cancha at the four line sprints to the wood and SLIDES ON HIS KNEES, sticks the cesta out against the side screen, catches it and throws a very weak right side from his knees. He barely had enough room to get the shot off against the screen, it was an amazing save and the fact the he got of a return was equally amazing. Laucarica is waiting in the middle of the cancha from the three line, catches the soft return and winds up like he is going inside. Elizegi sensing this charges like a bull back to the inside and Laucarica chips a carom to the EXACT SPOT that Elizegi would have been if he stayed on the wood. Elizegi sees this and without hesitation slams his cesta on the side wall and the tip goes flying up in the air, he then looks at the cesta closely and then hits it four or five times against the wall until just the bottom part of his cesta remains on his hand. He then walks down the wood pulsating in anger and has words with the patrons in the front row again, then walks past Laucarica and stops for a second like he is going to kill him, and then turns for the cage. Classic Elizegi in many ways, the power, the effort, the madness, the style, and the temper – it was all on display on that chilly night in Miami.

Txik-Txak-“Zula”, Benny, and player thoughts.

I take great pleasure reading the blog “Txik Txak Zula” every time it is updated. It provides the American and English speaking fans something we have not had in a long time, and that is information from the Basque land written in English. I would of not known the pairings if it was not for this blog, it is truly jai alai gold. I also like the opinions he shares and how he puts a personal perspective on what he sees. He simply just doesn’t report the action, but gives you his true opinion on what he sees. I love it.

The recent blog was a wonderful piece on the match between Goiko/Alberdi III and Egi/Felix. Without seeing this match I would like to share my comments. If you would like to read it you can find it at the Fronton homepage or here: http://txik-txak-zula.blogspot.com/.

I think Mark T. has a great point; a true number one seed should have the two best players, no? Isn’t that how a seeding system works? If Goiko and Enbil have won multiple world championships together, don’t they deserve the right to keep defending the crown until they are defeated? If they have lost, then fine, but if they continue to win they should have a right to defend IMO. Punishing Goiko just because he is dominating is not fair IMHO. To say that he should win this championship with a below average back is not fair either, obviously Goiko’s whole strategy changes when he has to compensate for a weak back, the blog clearly mentioned that Alberdi III could not handle the heat from Egi and Felix. Even the best players from every era had players that they were uncomfortable with, maybe with the exception of Boli, who seemed to win with everyone.

As far as the balls go, I have watched Goiko throughout his career and probably could argue that I have seen as much as him than anyone, and he can play with any ball, on any court, against any talent. After a multitude of singles and doubles world championships, dominate tourney play in the states, and just sheer brilliance day in and day out at Miami, against an incredible roster, I am not under the impression that he has a lot to learn. Just some thoughts…………………………….

I talked to Benny a couple weeks ago on the phone and what a great guy. Very open and honest about everything he is doing and he seemed like a regular, everyday guy. I told him that I would keep everything off the record, but let’s just say that Dania has the perfect man for the job, and they should really look into expanding his role.

Couple of player notes before I close:

Aitzol is steadily improving. He has always had great power but his catching has vastly improved and he now has great decision making and placement on his remates. He has a number of kills from each side and he is very powerful.

Aritz in the early games really isn’t fair and that says a lot considering the early talent. He is so smooth and just systematically took those guys apart yesterday.

Enrique may be playing his best jai alai of his career. He is catching everything and is making a lot better decisions and actually trusting his backs.

I was all over Garro in game 9 Monday, just had a weird feeling and he was overlooked big time on the trifecta and exacta wagering. He got to game point with some great catching, then Aragues came up and threw a perfect rebote carom on a ball that was hugging the side wall to dash my hopes. Errrrrrrrrrrrrrr! ;)

When Berekiua gets the left side rebote he just absolutely crushes it! Lately, many of them have flown off the court however.

Gallardo is in great form lately and like I have said many times, just perfect left side form.

That’s all guys! Bye bye from Jai Alai!

Some random jai alai notes……………………..

Santiso has looked much better since his return. A lot better movement and an improved right side.

I’ve always thought Cavier has been overlooked and you can usually get good value on him from a wagering perspective. Doesn’t do anything that stands out but has a nice overall game.

How good can Aritz (who plays as Erkiaga in the Basque land) become? He has a silky smooth style and is fearless. Good catching from both sides as well.

When is Dania going to but their ties with Carlvauho? He plays a very lazy style and constantly runs around the forehand. His right side is nonexistent and makes little effort to get to balls out of his immediate area. A shadow of his former self, that’s for sure.

Its obvious Anndy doesn’t have what it takes. I imagine he’ll be off the roster after this season. Could be a nice addition to the Ocala/Orlando roster perhaps.

Medrano is just the man, playing great the past couple of seasons.

Miguel is still an exciting player to watch. Formally one of Newport’s best the backcourter has seen a lot of injuries throughout his career, including a bad accident. He still climbs the wall with the best of them and gives great effort.

I like Alejandro’s swagger lately. He is playing free and confident and is much improved over the last year. His rebote is a nice weapon in singles.

Gorrono has always played a very sound “textbook” style game, and he does it well. He is putting together another solid season.

I like Jairo’s game. He has great numbers across the board and is one of the class players in the Dania early group.

If Laruent could play consistent jai alai he would be dangerous. Just to many ill timed remate attempts and shots into the pad.

Chasio and Ulises, who are probably early/middle game players on a solid roster, but they are doing a great job in this feature game group. They don’t embarrass themselves, they catch and return solidly.

I think both Garita and Aizpitarde are two nice, young backcourters. They should be around the game a long time and both have late game potential if they continue to develop. Aizpitarde is growing up against a tough group of players and you see it accelerating his development. Just to many drops for Garita but he is getting better and the effort is there.

Echeva is solid. Good catcher from both sides. Not a lot of power but effective for the earlies. That’s all from HOV. Bye bye from Jai Alai!

PELOTA IN THE STATES, THE US OPEN, AND VARIOUS OTHER THOUGHTS

Thinking of all that’s going on in the world of pelota brings a smile to my face. The efforts of Dania jai alai and Benny Bueno, the great action in the Basque country – including Goiko/Enbil defeating Egi/Lopez as the best from both brands (Master Jai and Jai Alive) came together to bring us a wonderful, action packed match, the news that Miami will soon return to the 13/14 game format. As well as many of the former pros returning to the game to help Benny with his efforts. Also, the step of having the president of the Pelota Federation of the United States visit Florida to view the progress that Benny is making with the amateur program – all wonderful steps to keep this sport alive, all great to see.

Hamilton Jai Alai opens its season on the evening of September 15^th and the format will be six post quinella’s featuring all singles matches. The roster will consist of the following pelotari’s: Chaz ( a jai alai veteran who posted 54 wins in 600 games at Hamilton last year, also competed in the past Orlando season, backcourter), Mateo (fiery, young American backcourter, debuted in Orlando, played better than expected in his rookie campaign), Ivan (Cuban journeyman, backcourter), Sierra (Mexican frontcourt, flashy player, still hasn’t reached his ceiling, brother of Dania feature game backcourter Sierra II), Churruca (steady, consistent player), Odriozola (Basque, decent left side, zero right side, journeyman backcourter), and finally Juan Leon and Arta – both Orlando/Ocala players who hope to continue to develop their game through their time at Hamilton. It should be noted that these players play to zero fans; the fronton is placed in a very nondevolped area of Florida and is basically a “front” for the poker operations. The jai alai has never been promoted and there has been very little to no effort put forth to introduce the sport to people of that region. Carlos Pita, a former pelotari, is the Players Manager of this fronton and does little to help the situation. He supports this bastardised version of the sport, or at least stands by while he watches it happen. It’s shameful, these guys are pro athletes playing one of the most dangerous games in the world and they are being paid the bare minimum, they are only being covered by 5000.00 in medical expenses if they are injured (laughable), and they play to zero fans. It’s a shame that these players don’t have better representation, Hamilton what you are doing is deplorable. However, I wish the players luck, and hope they find the fire inside to have a great season of competition against each other.

The Miami Fronton returns to its regular schedule on October 1.

Erkiaga returned to action at Miami.

Haven’t been able to confirm if Luis’ move to the backcourt is permanent, he looks very comfortable back there.

Cisneros is playing wonderful, wonderful jai alai. I had seen someone say elsewhere that his recent play is not all that remarkable due to the depleted roster. LOL. This Miami roster is still awesome and he is playing at a very high level.

Leo returned to Dania, helping their backcourt situation.

Just a little off topic here, but as usual the US Open Tennis tournament was great again this year and I couldn’t be happier for Kim Clijsters. To come back and win this event again, after becoming a mother, is a great story. I was also very happy for the beautiful and very well rounded Caroline Wozinacki. She has very few weaknesses and this was the first time she has advanced beyond the quarterfinal of a major. The Dane is a very classy woman and very well spoken and I hope she goes on to have a brilliant career. As far as the American Woman go, the Melanie Oudin story was very nice and she has the making of being a solid player. I’m not ready to label her a future star, but it seems she has a good deal of talent but needs to improve her composure throughout the match. Speaking of composure, Serena Williams completely lost hers with her verbal assault on the line judge. Inappropriate yes, but sometimes those types of things happen in the heat of battle, and it is not commonplace with her so I chalk it up to emotion. On the men’s side, the great Roger Federer defeated Novak Djokovic in the semis, bring Federer’s record to 13-0 against Djokovic in his career.

That’s all for now, this is HOV signing off for New World Jai Alai!

Hello everybody

Hello everybody, it’s Hov once again to check in with my observations……………………………………………

I’ll tell you what; I’m really impressed with the level of play that the Miami players are able to keep their games at with the number of vacancies currently on that roster. Every time I view Miami those guys are giving extreme effort and playing the game hard and that’s wonderful to see. That is why I am careful on how hard I am when I critique Miami. First off the place is legendary and for that reason alone it deserves tremendous respect. Just sitting in that fronton is amazing knowing all the wonderful jai alai that has been played on that cancha throughout the years. It really is the “Yankee Stadium” of Jai Alai. Secondly it’s hard for me to be hard on the place because the players almost always give tremendous effort; constant bickering about the place takes away from the performance on the court. Sometimes people talk so harshly about Miami (due to the fronton condition, the neighborhood, problems with stat keeping, ect.) you almost think they are wishing the place away. Look I want a clean fronton, I want accurate stats, to me the neighborhood is not all that bad – not nearly as bad as some people perceive it to be – but at the end I want to sent a positive message about the game and the remaining big two, especially to anyone new to the game.

Now on to the players –

Man, Alexander Rekalde is world class. The way he plays the game is phenomenal. His attacking style is great and he caught some insane cortada’s in today’s matinee, as well as winning three games, including the feature game singles. He has always been a pleasure to watch and when he is on his game he is near impossible to beat.

Ricky has been playing well and you can tell his confidence is way up playing against this current group of backcourters. He is still guilty of overthrowing the ball from time to time, but his placement is much improved than when he first entered Miami. He and Cisneros have great battles out there on the cancha. Speaking of Joey he had an awesome rebote save on a chic chac in game 9 today. He dove with his right side with the ball having chic chac action towards the wall, twisted his body to throw the right side rebote and got it off with POWER. The ball bounced at the 9 line and went straight over Zinki’s head. An awesome shot and one of the better digs of a chic chac I have seen in a very long time. High cesta Cisneros, you always give great effort and you are a favorite of the boys in the Tampa area!

It’s amazing to watch Patrick continue at the level that he plays at. He has had so many injuries, yet continues to come back and giving it his all. He can still climb that wall and scoop up balls on the short hop with the best of them.

Jon is often overlooked but he has tremendous heart. He never gives up on the pelota and always plays very energetic. Imagine if a player like Solozabal had Jon’s heart inside of him. Scary.

Meanwhile, SOLOZABAL 48 3 5 9. There are his stats from last week. With his ability that should never happen and it is sorta sad watching it take place. He just doesn’t care. I’m sure I’ll get some e-mail’s from some guys saying “he might be injured” or “you never been on the cancha” – but listen, I call it like I see it and when the effort is not there it’s obvious. He should be killing this roster, talent wise he is in the top four in the fronton. It’s amazing he gets away with effort like that.

Sierra II had a rough week. He plays his heart out every point and is a fan favorite. But let me ask this question – is he a true late game player? Does he have the skill set? His game reminds me of a dominate early player but it just doesn’t seem to translate into the later games.

When Cancio is on his game he is very exciting to watch. He attacks the pelota and can end a point quickly. However he has been struggling badly as of late. With him I believe it must be injury because effort has never been a question with him. He played better against the more talented group of early gamers from years past than he is against this current group. Sorta weird………………………..

Somebody I never met in my life approached me at Derby Lane to comment on my statement that Elizalde in the feature games was “laughable”. He told me that any back on the roster outside of Minte could compete in the lates right now in the backcourt. He said basically if you think about it Ulises, Chasio, Amigorena are all guys that have no business in the late games of the big two. They are good players he thought but not your classic stereotypical late game players. Point well taken, I ended up hanging with him for the night, high cesta Artie!

Urbieta has game. ‘Nuff said!

Have a wonderful week and enjoy the play! Bye bye from jai alai! ;)

Miami, Dania and Fronton

Hello jai alai fans around the world, thanks for reading another edition of New World Jai Alai.

The Fronton social network is now up to 544 members as of “press time” and it is a wonderful community. I had no idea that the sport still had so many passionate fans and it gives true hope for the sport. The thing I love about Christian’s creation is the many features – it is not just another jai alai forum. It is truly a social network and will be in the forefront of the rebuilding and refurbishing of this sport we all love so dearly. High cesta to the creator and all the members of Fronton, you guys are doing a wonderful job. It amazes me that it took a gentleman from Sweden to bring us all together, but thank god Christian created Fronton because it was something the jai alai community and the pelota community in general needed badly.

Now on to some of the play from the frontons……………..

Let’s start with Miami, who switched to an 11 game format due to injuries and players playing in partidos. I will say this, the players have been playing in an extreme number of games lately and the play has not suffered, everyone is still playing at a very high level and that says a lot about the motivational factors that make Miami such an exciting place to watch jai alai. I thought the play would begin to suffer after a week or two of the extreme workload but it has not. High cesta to all the players for continuing to give your all! There is A LOT of nitpicking that goes on when it comes to Miami but they continue to bring us a wonderful product on the cancha.

Two players come to my mind as I sit to share my thoughts with you……Arrasate and Gallardo, both are playing great jai alai right now. Arrasate is probably the class of this roster right now outside of Rekalde. He just continues to get better and better. His left side has developed wonderfully over the last 2-3 years, turning a weakness into another strength. I said it before, outside of Goiko and Diego, he has the best right side rebote in the business. Gallardo is in wonderful form right now. He is using the side wall wonderfully and his placement on his shots has been wonderful.

Also Arriza, always a personal favorite, is playing nice right now. He is a very good defensive back. He’s very good at catching balls scrapping the wall and balls in the deep corner.

Jabi seems to be a different player when the young guns are overseas. You can’t tell based on emotion of course because Jabi always has the same carefree, expressionless attitude on the court. But he tries a lot more remates and plays more within his game facing this current group. One thing Jabi always does and that’s controls the point. He keeps the backcourter deep and can catch everything from the left side. Except for the occasional over serve, Jabi rarely makes any unforced errors. Hopefully he can continue it when the big boys return.

Just when we thought Xala was coming along, he has started to struggle. I like his game, he is fearless that’s for sure, so let’s hope the man turns it around. I think he can stick in the early games.

As far as Dania goes wow, Arriaga is playing brilliant. His cortada has been perfectly placed and uncatchable and the big forehand has made its return. High cesta to a true legend of the game.

Erik is a natural on the cancha, but do you guys think everybody went overboard on the projection that this pelotari is going to be the next GREAT player. We’ll see, so far he has looked good but I never see him reaching the level of the greats. He has a long feature game career ahead of him and is very, very skilled in all areas of the game. He will be a top 5 front at Dania for a long time……..but is he better than Angel? (That was a recent debate at Derby LaneJ).

Elizalde in the feature games? Really? He has played very well during his latest Dania stint but really, he does not belong in this group. It is a depleted group of backcourters, I understand that, but there are others I would take over him. That being said he has at least been putting in the effort and that’s wonderful to see.

Olate is another one of those Dania players who aren’t great in any certain area of the game, but very solid in everything and he plays within his game. I have always liked his toughness on the cancha and no matter where you put him on the roster he plays strong.

Solozobal must win all his games when I’m not watching. He must be a weekend player because I rarely get to watch on the weekends. J When I watch he puts in minimal effort and seems like he could care less. We have all been saying it for years now, what a waste of talent. Remember the fall down rebotes at the Citrus? Well I haven’t seen one from him since.

Urtaran is another pelotari who has brought his game along very nicely over the years. His catching from both sides has improved probably better than anyone’s over the last three years. BTW, I miss watching his brother Ochoa play, man what a crafty player he was.

Does anyone get more out of less than Sierra II? He plays the game very, very hard every point and has far less talent than many. His game is all effort and guts, very respectable.

Zulakia does a great job with his blog, what a wonderful asset to the jai alai community. He provides information that is very hard to come by in the states and has a wonderful writing style. He made some wonderful points in his last blog and I agree with everything he said about Christian. We could use another 100 Christian’s in the Pelota world. However, stateside the props have to go to Bill Swainfield(sp?). This gentleman has been around the sport covering it on the internet for a very long time now and is always open to wonderful conversation regarding the sport. He was doing what Ralph “tiger” did years ago and still maintains a wonderful website. You can visit him at jaialaiusa.net, a wealth of jai alai information or find him on Fronton. Always check the Fronton’s blogs and forum for great inside scoops and breaking news on the sport which you can’t find anywhere. Yes, jai alai needs salesman and Christian is a great asset as well as a great person. As for the other webmaster mentioned in that blog, well in my opinion, jai alai could use a lot less of that type of personality and mentality involved in the sport but for the time being I guess he serves his purpose.

Have a wonderful evening and hope everyone has a great evening. See you at Fronton and at the frontons;)!