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From playing jai alai to watching Isabella
Published January 19, 2006


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A tight grip (JULIE FLETCHER/ORLANDO SENTINEL)
Jan 18, 2006

Inaki Goitiz is a busy man.

He plays jai alai at the fronton in Casselberry four days a week, repairs the baskets [cestas] that are strapped to the players' right hands on his days off, drives a truck in another business venture on Tuesdays and, oh, yes, sometimes baby-sits Isabella, his 5-month-old daughter just for the love of doing it.

Busy, busy.

"But I love it all," he said. "Life is full."

Goitiz, 44, who plays under just his last name, may or may not be a dying breed when it comes to jai alai, because it may or may not be a dying sport. It has been a declining sport for the past two decades, and Goitiz has seen the highs and lows.

He began playing jai alai in the Basque country when he was 10 and turned pro at 14. He has traveled the world playing the ancient sport, including most of the frontons in the United States and even two years in Macao, China.

Unlike many former (and even current) players, he is neither bitter nor cynical about the fading sport.

"I love jai alai," he said. "My son, Andoni, is 6 and is learning the game. He's pretty good, has a promising right side."

Completing the family is Goitiz's wife, Kelly, who is a native of Green Bay, Wis., if you can believe that.

"I married a Cheesehead," Goitiz said.

And there's young Isabella, who had no comment Wednesday on the state of jai alai but showed a determined interest in eating the straw that her dad uses to repair the baskets of his trade.

"See?" Goitiz said. "Jai alai is good for the whole family."

17th Citrus Invitational: If you want to see jai alai at its best, Saturday is the day at the fronton in Casselberry on 17-92, one block south of the 436 intersection. The tournament -- played during the matinee and evening programs -- includes the best players in the world. Goicoechea from the Miami fronton is the best frontcourter, while either Orlando's Elicegui or Miami's Irastorza probably is the best backcourter. For more information, call 407-339-6221.

ODDS AND ENDS
Did you watch Skating with Celebrities? There were people on the show such as Deborah Gibson, Kristy Swanson and Jillian Barberie. I guess the celebrities will show up later. . . . The experts are saying Florida will have the No.1 football recruiting class. Seems to me Hawaii would have the top-rated class every year. . . . The Arena Football League placed Predators Coach Jay Gruden in the No. 4 spot on its all-time top 20 players list, which is OK. But one-way WR Eddie Brown was voted No. 1 over Barry "Ironman" Wagner, which is a travesty. . . . The current issue of Sports Illustrated includes a feature on the Magic's Dwight Howard. They think he's good. . . . And coming soon to Fox TV -- Bungee Jumping with Celebrities.

Noooo! Not that! Talk about cruel and unusual punishment. Nathan Mallett, a lifelong Browns fan, ran onto the field last month during the 41-zip whipping of the Browns by Pittsburgh. A judge sentenced him to sitting in a jail cell with no TV or radio during the Super Bowl weekend.

Can't see or even hear the Super Bowl? Why not hang him?

He also cannot attend a Browns game for five years -- although that's not necessarily a bad thing.

BEAT JERRY -- NFL PLAYOFFS
Unless you remain in denial over what happened to New England and Indianapolis, you should realize the NFL's Final Four are the Proper Four. But only two will go to the Super Bowl. I told you which two before the playoffs began, but let's review one last time.

Pittsburgh (13-5) at Denver (14-3) -- Broncos favored by 3. There are no severe weaknesses on either side, but Broncos have won last 11 at Invesco Field and are 12-2 at home in playoffs. Meanwhile Steelers Coach Bill Cowher is 1-4 in AFC title games -- and the previous five were played in Pittsburgh. Broncos by 9.

Carolina (13-5) at Seattle (14-3) -- Seahawks favored by 31/2. Again, it's a legitimate tossup, with neither team displaying a fatal Achilles' heel to puncture. But the Panthers are down to their third running back while Seattle should have league MVP Shaun Alexander back in decent shape, because what's a little concussion now? Seahawks by 6.

Technically, you have a right to your opinion, and if you foolishly disagree -- go to OrlandoSentinel.com/sports and express yourself in the Beat Jerry contest.