<P> Although the sport has been in decline in America for several years, the first public amateur jai alai facility was built in the United States in 2008, in St. Petersburg, Florida, with the assistance of the city of St. Petersburg and private funding from Jeff Conway (Laca). Jai alai is virtually unknown in the western United States but still maintains some popularity in parts of the Northeast . </P> <P> In addition to the amateur court in St. Petersburg, The American Jai - Alai Foundation whose president Victor Valcarce was a pelotari at Dania Jai - Alai (MAGO #86) and was considered the best "pelota de goma" (rubber ball) player in the world, sponsors (in North Miami Beach, Florida) the only indoor air conditioned cancha, (once owned by World Jai - Alai as a school that, in 1972, produced the greatest American pelotari, Joey Cornblit #37) that is still open with free lessons from some of the sport's best . During the late 1960s, in addition to North Miami Amateur, there was at least one other amateur court . From International Amateur Jai - Alai in South Miami professional players emerged including "RANDY" #44 at World Jai - Alai, regarded as the first American pelotari who turned pro in 1968 and enjoyed a lengthy career . In the 1970s and early 1980s Orbea's Jai - Alai in Hialeah featured four indoor courts . Two of the courts played with hard rubber balls ("pelota de goma") were shorter than a standard court (75' / 90') & used for training players and amateur leagues . There were also two courts played with the regulation pelota (hardball / "pelota dura"), one short in length (115') and one regulation length (150'). Orbea's also sold equipment such as cestas and helmets . Retired players visited and played as well as highly skilled amateurs, pros from Miami Jai - Alai and various other professional frontons operating at the time . What the South Miami, North Miami, Orbea & later the Milford amateur courts contributed to what is thought to be the golden age of the amateur jai - alai player & the sport in the United States is impressive . In the late 1980s at least one other amateur court was constructed in Connecticut . </P> <P> At Dania Jai Alai, there is a "Hall of Fame" to document the best front and back court players . </P>

Where is jai alai played in the us