Garate's Mexican Shoes

Garate is one of the finest jai-alai player in the amateur field. He is 19 years old and 6 foot 6 inches tall,a back-courter obviously. You see him and reminds you physically and his playing style in some way to a 7 years ago Lopez. Garate's left-hand swing is so loose that he reaches the back wall easily, better than most of the pros. His right-hand posture has to improve but he is got the potential. He is not a consistent catcher yet when comparing with professional players. Beñat Garate (his father played in Dania and Milford) is in Mexico D.F. playing the "Lorenzo Berho" tournament, a competition where two Mexican amateurs, Valdez brothers, two Basque aficionados, Zulaika and Garate play mixed with 4 professionals, Egiguren, Foronda, Arriaga and Hernandez. Garate, the young giant from Markina is doing well on the court, but outside he had apeculiar problem because his physical sizes.

Last Friday when the expedition from the Basque arrived to Mexico city, they were informed that a welcome dinner party was organized to honore them. The thing is that according to protocol people invited had to attend all dress up, a suit and formal shoes required. The two aficionados of the expedition, Zulaika and Garate faced a problem, nobody told them anything about dinner parties, so tennis shoes, shorts and a sport playing uniforms, that's all they had for dressing. Zulaika, 5 feet, 9 inches high and a 10 shoe size, did manage wearing Hernandez's jacket and pants, and Arriaga's shoes. The problem was with Garate. Where in all Mexico do you find a 13 shoe size? when just a few hours remain for dinner?...

Don't ask me who or how they got them or what kind of shoes he wore, the thing is that the giant from Bolibar-Markina appeared for dinner fulfilling all requirements. Young players have a lot to learn, inside the court and outside, especially when travelling.