I take a look at the players' list that take part this weekend in the Ocala Citrus Tournament and I can hardly pick a favorite team.
In sports there's an euphemism for unpredictability: parity.
Is it good for sports, for jai alai?
I'm going to miss the absence of Goiko, Rekalde, Lopez and Irastorza. With them playing jai alai has the right mix. Excites both hard-core jai alai nuts and the casual fan. The world loves an underdog and relishes the big upset. Well, after Ocala we wont be talking about big upsets, because as I said, parity is the dominant note in this weekend tournament.
Everybody knows why Miami's big guns wont be in the Citrus, you can not swim and keep an eye on your clothes. Their roster is so short that they can not even attend this month's most important jai alai event. That's a pity. Miami's management should have done the effort to send at least one team.
Even though the Ocala`s Citrus is not what the Australian Open is for tennis. Still, jai alai's over all situation deserves an extra effort.
Well, let's forget the big guns and let see what young ones like Erik and Aimar can do against veterans like Egi and Diego and Oiarbide. Let's see what unfamiliar Ocala players can do. I already can see the glint in the eyes of these players. They wont have too often the opportunity to get a good result, court is on their favor. They are the real underdogs in this Tournament.
Winter is long for Egi, too long. He badly needs events like this to show that he's ranked high, so high that only the Big Guy (Goiko) is up on him. Along with Hernandez they won in Orlando. Egi and Duke Hernandez are talented players, but not exactly inspiring ones like Miami's big guns. However, this team probably will be able to break the thing line between parity and chaotic blandness.
Anyways, the big question remains in the air: is parity good for jai alai?
First, thank you for your column about this tournament. Since there are no more tournaments planned for the rest of the year, in this Country (and none expected according to Dania and Miami management), this Ocala Citrus is more than the month's biggest event.
ReplyDeleteThere is more to Miami's decision regarding their players' absence in this tournament and it stems from the friction between the roster and management. 8-9 players were just released from the roster and there was/is internal strive.
In addition, and this is important, THE MANAGEMENT OF MIAMI JAI ALAI COULD GIVE A RAT'S ASS about the overall state of the sport. Lets be honest here, the sad condition of Florida Gaming (Miami Jai Alai) stems from the fact they have no concern about their customers....jai alai fans. Please note their lack of effort in catering to their customer base. Why wouldn't all frontons put the health of the sport as top priority? Good question, no?
Now lets discuss this Ocala tournament and its teams. First, Solozabal replaces an injured Diego for Dania's top team. Both Solozabal and Diego are elite world-class fronts.
Parity? , having seen all the players I'd somewhat question your conclusion. Granted that last year the local Ocala players were very competitive with a stronger outside field (Goiko,Lopez,etc), It would be a major upset if any of 3 specific Ocala teams were to be victorious. The 2 Dania teams and Egi/Hernandez are clear cut favorites with the remaining two teams on the fence. The post positions in the tournament have been handicapped to reflect this but you still have to get on the court and win the point.
Egi/Hernandez - Solozabal/Enbil - Erik/Oyarbide are the clear favorites.
Aimar/Elizegi - Olabe/Larru - could win under perfect conditions...Aimar and Elizegi first times on the court. Olabe and Larru finished 2nd last year but are also a year older.
Pancho/Gino - Azpillaga/Alliez - Sierra/Tommy - would be a major upset with victory. Pancho playing in his first tournament. Azpillaga has looked very slow in his daily Ocala play. Sierra's lack of rebote is very evident.
All players are very good but this is not parity.
Lets talk after Saturday.
lets face it, at every workplace there is internal grief! Miami Jai-Alai is no different. It make's me think what Christian always preached and that was always keep the line of communication open. Once that stops, anyone can drop the ball at anytime. Who is the players leader at Miami? I would hope there would never ever be another strike cause that would just be it for jai-alai.
ReplyDeleteAs you can tell by the results of yesterday's action, my analysis was dead wrong. The results were not a fluke....all teams made many entrances on the court and each had their chance to win.
ReplyDeleteAll players are very good and you could call this parity.
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