Jai alai resurrection: SouthFlorida.com

Local coach hopes clinics will attract youths to the sport.

The hollow sound of the "pelota" smacking against one of three walls on the court echoes throughout the fronton. Once a game renown in South Florida, jai alai seemed to vaporize from the local sports scene. But now it is entering a renaissance initiated by youth clinics hosted by Dania Jai Alai under the guidance of Player Development Coordinator and Coach Benny Buenos.
Buenos, a retired professional player and jai alai superstar among the handball sports set, is passionate and dedicated to encouraging people to experience the game of jai alai for themselves. After retiring from the game in 2005, he started a nonprofit organi-zation devoted to the development of jai alai in South Florida. Following several years approaching a host of school board members, congressmen and women, and county leaders, Buenos was picked up by the management team and new owners of Dania Jai Alai.
The fresh vision of the new ownership wants to introduce the sport to a new generation, not just as viewers but as potential players -- amateur and pro, boys and girls, men and women. With this goal in mind, jai alai youth clinics are now a part of the organization and have been successful at attracting new players, new talent and exposing kids ages 10 to 16 to a "new" sport in which they have potential to do well.
During a recent clinic, a boy visiting from North Carolina had read about the clinic in the paper and decided to come out and play. And a group of kids come from New Smyrna to attend Coach Buenos' clinics. There is an excitement on the fronton as the children first put on the cesta, a sickle-shaped basket for catching the ball, and then learn to hurl the pelota against the wall. There are many steps involved in learning the game, but mastering the throw and being able to catch the ball provides attendees a satisfaction and sense of accomplishment that keeps them coming back and inviting their friends to try jai alai for themselves.
"[Dania Jai Alai] has a strong commitment to the sport", Buenos said. "[The clinics] are getting kids involved and continuing the legacy of jai alai."
Dania Jai Alai hopes youths will begin to play and bring their friends and family to come watch and share the experience of the fronton.
The clinics take place one weekend a month throughout the year. They are free, and no equipment or experience is necessary to participate. The goal is not only to have young people experience a new sport but also enjoy it while their families look on.
Buenos' intention is to "put a cesta in every child's hand," let kids try the game and see how they progress and how they like it. Ultimately, his goal is to create a league of skilled players so they can begin to compete and perhaps move onto higher levels of play.
Buenos also hopes to start after-school programs and a summer camp that would in-clude jai alai in a rotation of other camp activities.
Children accompanied by their parents are welcome to attend a Dania Jai Alai game. Admission is free, and the fronton is air conditioned with comfortable seats. Refresh-ments from the snack bar are family-friendly and affordable.
"It's like going to the movies" Buenos said. "Only it's free to come in, and it's live."
For more information, visit www.dania-jaialai.com. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on "Amateur Info" to find out dates and how to register for future clinics.

Jai Alai: A centuries-old sport from the Basque Country of Spain and France; translated it means, "merry festival." It came to the U.S. in 1904.
Fronton: The facility where jai alai is played.
Cesta: A curved catching and throwing basket made of Spanish chestnut and reeds from the Pyrenees Mountains.
Pelota: Slightly smaller than a baseball, it is handmade of two layers of goat skin over nylon thread covering tightly wound strands of rubber.