Spanish Federation of Basque Pelota
Encyclopedia
The Spanish Federation of Basque pelota or Federación Española de Pelota Vasca is the main governing body of Basque pelota in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...

 and one of the most important in the world along with the International Federation of Basque Pelota
International Federation of Basque Pelota
The International Federation of Basque Pelota is the world-wide governing body for Basque pelota. It sets the regulations for international competition and organizes the competitions.-History:...

.

History

Basque pelota first gained popularity during the 1920s
1920s
File:1920s decade montage.png|From left, clockwise: Third Tipperary Brigade Flying Column No. 2 under Sean Hogan during the Irish Civil War; Prohibition agents destroying barrels of alcohol in accordance to the 18th amendment, which made alcoholic beverages illegal throughout the entire decade; In...

. Several tournaments were organized and the Hand-pelota, remonte and pala championships were introduced for the first professional pelotaris.

In 1924 Basque pelota was introduced as a demonstration
Basque pelota at the 1924 Summer Olympics
Basque Pelota was a demonstration sport at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris. It was the second time that the sport was included in the Olympic program; it was an official Olympic sport at the 1900 Games that were also held in Paris...

 sport in the 1924 Summer Olympics
1924 Summer Olympics
The 1924 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the VIII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1924 in Paris, France...

, and the popularity of the event was the main reason for the creation of the Spanish Basque Pelota Federation.

The first typed of pelota to be included were doubles hand-pelota, pala, remonte and cesta punta. Provincial federations were set up in Álava
Álava
Álava is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Álava. Its capital city is Vitoria-Gasteiz which is also the capital of the autonomous community...

, Aragón
Aragon
Aragon is a modern autonomous community in Spain, coextensive with the medieval Kingdom of Aragon. Located in northeastern Spain, the Aragonese autonomous community comprises three provinces : Huesca, Zaragoza, and Teruel. Its capital is Zaragoza...

, Castile
Castile (historical region)
A former kingdom, Castile gradually merged with its neighbours to become the Crown of Castile and later the Kingdom of Spain when united with the Crown of Aragon and the Kingdom of Navarre...

, Cataluña, Guipúzcoa, Navarra, Salamanca
Salamanca
Salamanca is a city in western Spain, in the community of Castile and León. Because it is known for its beautiful buildings and urban environment, the Old City was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. It is the most important university city in Spain and is known for its contributions to...

 and Vizcaya
Biscay
Biscay is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Biscay. Its capital city is Bilbao...

.

The activities of the Federation were interrupted during the Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...

 but were restarted in 1940, when singles hand-pelota and short pala categories were introduced.
The same year the first top-tier hand-pelota singles championship
1st Hand-Pelota singles championship
The 1st Hand-Pelota singles championship is the most important tournament competition of Hand-pelota category of Basque pelota. It was created in 1940, when the new Basque Pelota Spanish Federation, to have a champion of the category. In its beginnings, the championship was disputed every two...

 was organized, resulting in the win of Atano III over Txikito de Iraeta with a final score of 22-8.

In 1941 the first top-tier hand-pelota doubles championship
1st Hand-Pelota doubles championship
The 1st Hand-Pelota doubles Championship known as Campeonato de España de mano parejas is the second most important tournament of Hand-pelota category in Basque pelota, after the 1st Hand-Pelota singles championship, known as manomanista...

 was played, resulting in the win of Onaindia and Urcelay over Txikito de Iraeta and Gallastegui with a final score of 22-18. And in 1957 the first second-tier hand-pelota 2nd category singles
2nd Hand-Pelota singles championship
The 2nd Hand-Pelota singles championship is the second most important hand-pelota tournament.The championship is played since 1957 and has been the previous scenario for future 1st category pelotaris such as Retegi I, Retegi II, Arretxe, Beloki I and Olaizola II.The winner of the tourment earns the...

 was played resulting in the win of Del Val over Otxoa with a final score of 22-8.

During the 1960s
1960s
The 1960s was the decade that started on January 1, 1960, and ended on December 31, 1969. It was the seventh decade of the 20th century.The 1960s term also refers to an era more often called The Sixties, denoting the complex of inter-related cultural and political trends across the globe...

 several new competitions were introduced. Most were regional, second category and youth tournaments.

In 1989 the Cuatro y Medio Euskadi Championship
Cuatro y Medio Euskadi Championship
The Cuatro y Medio Euskadi Championship is an individual championship of Basque pelota, often known as the cage due to the fronton dimensions.Cuatro y Medio, means Fourth and a half, meaning that every ball that rebound far from that mark is considered pasa , making it a game of presition more than...

 was introduced, resulting in a win for Retegi II over Galarza III with a final score of 22-6.

Competitions

The pelotaris in the federation are mainly under contract of the two major Basque pelota companies operating in Spain, focus in the Basque Country, Asegarce
Asegarce
Asegarce is an Basque event production and deportive license company, mainly devoted to Basque pelota. Through the Bainet company, it has also made audiovisual productions.-History:...

 and ASPE
ASPE (Basque pelota)
ASPE Jugadores de Pelota S.L. is a deportive management company dedicated to promove Basque pelota.- History :The company was established in 1998, taking place ever since in the Cuatro y Medio, Doubles-pelota and hand-pelota categories....

.

Categories regulated by the Federation

  • Hand-Pelota Singles
  • Hand-Pelota Doubles
  • Long Pala
  • Short Pala
  • Frontennis
  • Share
  • Cesta Punta

Main tournments hold by the federation

  • 1st Hand-Pelota singles championship
    1st Hand-Pelota singles championship
    The 1st Hand-Pelota singles championship is the most important tournament competition of Hand-pelota category of Basque pelota. It was created in 1940, when the new Basque Pelota Spanish Federation, to have a champion of the category. In its beginnings, the championship was disputed every two...

  • 1st Hand-Pelota doubles championship
    1st Hand-Pelota doubles championship
    The 1st Hand-Pelota doubles Championship known as Campeonato de España de mano parejas is the second most important tournament of Hand-pelota category in Basque pelota, after the 1st Hand-Pelota singles championship, known as manomanista...

  • 2nd Hand-Pelota singles championship
    2nd Hand-Pelota singles championship
    The 2nd Hand-Pelota singles championship is the second most important hand-pelota tournament.The championship is played since 1957 and has been the previous scenario for future 1st category pelotaris such as Retegi I, Retegi II, Arretxe, Beloki I and Olaizola II.The winner of the tourment earns the...

  • Cuatro y Medio Euskadi Championship
    Cuatro y Medio Euskadi Championship
    The Cuatro y Medio Euskadi Championship is an individual championship of Basque pelota, often known as the cage due to the fronton dimensions.Cuatro y Medio, means Fourth and a half, meaning that every ball that rebound far from that mark is considered pasa , making it a game of presition more than...

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