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Jai-Alai Equipment

Protective Helmet - Made mandatory in 1968, constructed of a
tough acrylic material and provides protection from the rock-hard
speeding Pelota. (see "Pelota")
Player Jersey - Designates post position by color and front number;
the player by back number. Each game has eight post positions No.1 thru 8,
with eight corresponding colors.
Faja (red sash) - The traditional belt worn by the players. In Europe the
color of the belt determines the post position.
Cesta - The wicker backet custom made and fitted to the individual player. Used
to catch and throw the ball at high velocity.
Shoes - Rubber soled professional athletic footwear; provides maximum
traction on concrete floor and side wall.
Each Pelota has two hand sown goat skin covers. No two Pelotas
have exactly the same bounce, increasing the challenge of the game.

The Equipment in Jai-Alai Has Not Changed
for Hundreds of Years. It Is Still Hand-Made.
The Cesta
Wicker basket made from reeds found only in the Pyrenees Mountains of Spain.
The frame is made of steam bent chestnut. The hand is inserted into a leather
glove and held in place by a wrap-around called a cinta. Cestas cost
over $200. A player uses about 15 per season.

The Pelota
The most lethal ball of any sport, the Pelota is 3/4 the size of a baseball,
harder than a golf ball, and has been clocked at speeds in excess of
180 m.p.h. The Guiness Book of Records calls it the world's fastest ball.
The pelota is constructed of hand wound Brazilian rubber with two hand-sown
goatskin covers. Pelotas cost over $150 each and must be re-covered after
15 minutes of play. No machine has ever been developed to construct a pelota.



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Website Developed by Ed Martino,PH.D.
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