New Pelota in Play for the “Chopped Liver League”?
New Pelota in Play for the “Chopped Liver League”?
A new pelota may be in play for the “Chopped Liver League” at America’s only public court in St. Petersburg.
For our hundreds of readers outside of the Tamp Bay Area, you may be asking what the hell is the “Chopped Liver League”? It’s a group of players that come out there every day outside of the Wednesday night gang that have their own group. However, a couple of those players like ex-pros Scott King and Garby do play regularly with the “Chopped Liver” gang.
Last Thursday evening I accidently pulled out a pelota of my bag to begin play with that Arra I had given me while were participating in the Magic City Tournament. We had for the past two months just thrown it around for quick practice if someone was retrieving the pelota going out of the cancha. Play went on without anyone saying anything with a group of 8 players, including former Dania pro and Puryear Park alumni Rocco. After about ten minutes of play I realized we were playing with the Magic City ball and announced it. After a few minutes of debate, we decided to continue playing with it.
Hours after the 2.5-hour performance, all 8 players seem to be in agreement. They liked the Magic City ball over the Matt Ball.
Ever since I visited Matt’s court in 2010 and brought back a few balls, we have been using the Matt ball exclusively. Before that, dating to the 1970s we had been using the lacrosse ball. Anyone that has played with that ball will know what I’m talking about. It sucked. More like a super ball that took horrible bounces of the ground and side walls. Try using one today and you will say “oh my God! We played with that ball for decades?!”
Here’s the review of the players that night………
Seminole King
Its more good that bad, good for front court shots back court passing but because is so light it does tend to bounce out of the cesta or roll around so people with control issues are going to become more prone to throw wild shots.
….Which is good for keeping caroms on the court
But the ball is lighter so if you get hit doesn’t pack the same punch. I did get hit twice.
Alex
I like it
Tiny bit smaller and lighter but much better on the arm when throwing
I would not mine playing with it anytime
Buy more from Scott at Magic city before they move to Miami court
Much better for shots
Need to make slight adjustments but worth it.
I like it better. Great on the arm
Slows down a bit after it hits the side wall and back wall but picas well and live off the front wall
Yes better ball all around! My arms feels amazing
Ask Arra where they buy the ball?
Rocco
Love love love. EXCELLENT.
When I threw the ball the rebotes came out plenty far lol.
Magic Mike
I think the ball if fine and nice and lightweight. Some rebotes don’t come out that far but that is like at magic city and can be gotten used to. Better control on caroms even thought mine did go off court a couple times.
Rule
I liked it….Much more life
Rick B
The ball dies out when it hits the side wall…..which is good thing (caroms)
The ball doesn’t stick in your basket the same because of the weight
Echeva
I’m not playing much, but I liked it – closer in size and weight to a real pelota.
Laca
I thought Echeva, the co-founder of Puryear Park in the 1980s, made the best comment.
I had my shipping manager at my company weigh a bunch of balls. Two of them were Matt Gen 2 balls – the old green ones which are still fast. One had a lot of tape on it – which is a big factor to consider in the balls. The Magic City ball actually has two types of tape wrapped around it. One if red and the outer layer is white. The reason they put red on first is to see the if any of the white tape has come off.
The hard plastic ball is the N. Miami ball. The tan ball is the dead batch of balls I got from Matt and I still have about 80 of them. A real pelota is also included for great reference.
Right now, we have been using the Matt 151 ball – a ball that weighs 151 grams. Mark Burler weighted one at 153 today. The amount of tape on the ball makes a big difference. The Matt 151 is the fastest and heaviest ball ever used. I like it, but after playing Thursday evening with the Magic City ball – not one player complained about a sore arm the next day. I just played Saturday with my Matt green ball, and my arm is tired. A couple others echoed that.
I think for the near perfect size and weight and the general way the ball plays, this is a solid option.
| Weight (OZ) | Weight (Grams) | Diameter (CM) | Diameter (Inch) | |
| Matt Ball w/ extra tape | 5.4 | 153.4 | 6.55 | 2.58 |
| Matt Ball w/ very little tape | 5.25 | 149 | 6.5 | 2.56 |
| Magic City Ball | 4.66 | 132.2 | 6.25 | 2.46 |
| Hard Plastic Ball | 4.17 | 118.2 | 6.4 | 2.52 |
| Tan Ball w/ No tape | 4.48 | 127.2 | 6.3 | 2.48 |
| Real Pelota | 4.3 | 121.8 | 6.4 | 2.52 |
What’s the Future?
This of course revolves around availability of the ball. When the current Magic City season wraps it up in the middle of December, they will have a lot of balls that are dead to them. There is little chance they will work on the new court a couple miles away that will have a front and side wall of the original fronton made of 18” thick granite wall and is 99 years old. The back wall is going to be glass and has been under construction in Spain.
To be far, I think we need the other players to try it before any decision of a change is made. There is no way to make 30-35 players we have all agree to the same thing. And I strongly suggest we do not switch balls in a performance. It’s one or the other. You won’t get the full effect unless you play a few hours with just the one ball before making an opinion.
