Pelota
The game of Pelota is mysterious to many of us, and yet it has an ancient history.
Origins
Pelota means little ball and it originated hundreds of years ago in the Basque region. Now there are several forms of the sport.
Fascinating Facts
In Spain, the game is popular that the authorities had to forbid its being played against the walls of the cathedral at Barcelona!
There are two uncovered court forms of pelota. One is played against a front wall (fronton), either barehanded, with a leather or wooden long glove-like protector (cesta), or with a chistera strapped to the wrist, a sickle-shaped wicker-work implement three feet long, much like a mud-guard, in the narrow groove of which the ball is caught and from which, thanks to the leverage afforded, it can be hurled with tremendous force. There are several players to a side, frequently an uneven number to allow a handicap. The other form is the one played by professionals, usually with three players on each side, two forwards and a back, distinguished by a coloured sash or cap. The server (butteur) slips off his chistera to serve, bouncing the ball on the but, a kind of stool, about 30 ft. from the, wall, and striking it low against the wall. The side that wins the toss has the first service. The ball must be replayed by the opposing side at the wall, which it must hit over a line 3 ft. from the base of the wall and under the net fixed at the top of the wall. The game is counted 15, 30, 40, game, reckoned by the number of faults made by the opposing side.
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