VOA标准英语2012--Game of Jai Alai Struggles to Attract US Fans

Game of Jai Alai Struggles to Attract US Fans

Jai Alai is not child's play. The ball weighs about 150 grams and flies at high speed around a playing court, called a "fronton."
That speed is dangerous and it is what powers the sport.
Long time player John Silvia says the speed of the ball is what first drew him to jai alai.
“The ball averages about 140 miles an hour [about 225 kilometers per hour]. It kind of comes at you like a snake in the air, so it is very difficult to catch. It's very exciting, very fast. I love it!,“ Silvia said.
The players catch and throw the ball with a wicker basket glove called a "cesta" wrapped tightly around one hand.
That, and the ball itself, are features of the game that hark back centuries to the game's origins.
The rules have also changed very little over the years. Players have to keep the ball in motion by hitting it against a wall.
If a player lets the ball go out of bounds or bounce more than once, he is replaced by the next player in line.
The game used to be very popular in many parts of the United States.
“My mom took me when I was a kid to watch, and ever since then I was hooked. The guys were running around and jumping up the wall, and the crowd was screaming when they made good catches. And I was just very excited to see it; I always wanted to do that,” Silvia said.
During its heyday¹ during the mid-20th century, frontons could be found across the country.
Fans turned out by the thousands to be entertained by the sport.
And betting helped make it popular.
Today, Florida is alone in retaining a fan base.
And even here, it is on the wane².
Most bettors have gone elsewhere, says long-time fan Rob Craig.
"Nowadays, a lot of times you come and it's a very empty building, very few players. I think the sport just hasn't invested a lot in rebuilding itself. There is a lot of new competition in the area. There is gambling³, there are casinos, there are slots. It's just one of those things where the sport needs to make a true investment and invest into itself," Craig said.
Manager Simon Jackson says Orlando Jai Alai is trying to do that. He says one aim is to help people understand the game more clearly.
"What we are trying to do is explain the sport in its fullest to give people better understanding and help them with their wagers⁴, which is part of what this sport is about. So we are trying to get out more information so that people are not scared," Jackson said.
Jackson says he would like to see the game recapture its popularity. And he says, he believes that can be done with proper marketing⁵ and public education.

1 heyday   

n.全盛时期，青春期

参考例句：

• The 19th century was the heyday of steam railways.19世纪是蒸汽机车鼎盛的时代。
• She was a great singer in her heyday.她在自己的黄金时代是个了不起的歌唱家。

2 wane   

n.衰微，亏缺，变弱；v.变小，亏缺，呈下弦

参考例句：

• The moon is on the wane.月亮渐亏。
• Her enthusiasm for him was beginning to wane.她对他的热情在开始减退。

3 gambling   

n.赌博；投机

参考例句：

• They have won a lot of money through gambling.他们赌博赢了很多钱。
• The men have been gambling away all night.那些人赌了整整一夜。

4 wagers   

n.赌注，用钱打赌( wager的名词复数 )v.在（某物）上赌钱，打赌( wager的第三人称单数 )；保证，担保

参考例句：

• He wagers $100 on the result of the election. 他用100美元来对选举结果打赌。 来自互联网
• He often wagers money on horses. 他时常在马身上赌钱。 来自互联网

5 marketing   

n.行销，在市场的买卖，买东西

参考例句：

• They are developing marketing network.他们正在发展销售网络。
• He often goes marketing.他经常去市场做生意。