Word: pelota
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Dates: during 1950-1959
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Over the years, Basques have developed four varieties of pelota...
...Yoko garbi, in which two-or three-man teams carry short, sickle-shaped wicker baskets. These chisteras, used for both catching and throwing, add a wicked impetus to the pelota...
...years, Jean Urruty is a past master at grand chistera. Next to the husky Spaniards in their rose-colored shirts, Urruty and his teammates looked a little too frail for so tough a game, but the very first serve dispelled any Basque doubts. Urruty bounced the pelota, caught it in his chistera and slung it against the wall with whiplash speed. There was a sharp, dry crack, and the ball had bounced back 60 yards. The Spaniards were already on the defensive...
After a wartime layoff, during which he served as an infantryman in the French army, Urruty went home to concentrate on pelota. By then he could whip all comers. Once one of his ardent admirers presented him with a big cigar. Deeply honored, Urruty returned the compliment. He gave his fan, Sir Winston Churchill, a chistera as a souvenir...
...Urruty's soft drop shots fell just out of reach; his low returns were unplayable. After two hours and 54 minutes of the murderous pace, the groggy Spaniards were thoroughly beaten, 60-50. Jean Urruty and his team were pelota champions of the world...