Long Distance Travelers

Puryear Park in St. Petersburg is home to America’s First and only Public jai-alai court and has no shortage of players looking to play on it.  Even if it means a three-hour drive each way.

Yes sir, a three-hour drive (each way) from Daytona Beach is what former Bridgeport star player Adam Albrycht (pronounced “All-Brite”) commutes on a regular basis.  And he is not the only one.  Joining him on a regular basis also includes another former Bridgeport jai-alai player, Steve “Rastock” Rastocky; former Newport pro Ty Wilson; and amateur Eric Auman; all whom live in the Orlando area – about 2 hours away (sometimes much more with traffic).  Former pro Gary “Cachin” Doyle makes a two hour plus drive from Spring Hill; top notch amateur Anthony “Ant” Sutton also makes near two-hour drive from Spring Hill also and are regulars at the cancha.  Bill O’Connor, another long time amateur was also making a three-hour drive to play, while Alex “Amigo” Ruiz makes about an hour and a half drive from Davenport on a regular basis but does stay in town for a few days to make the most of his trip while looking out for his mother.          

Recently in a 15-hour period, last Thursday night, the St. Pete cancha was host to our only female player – Morgan , a former top female collegiate soccer player who graduated a couple years ago and is now a teacher, and her father Greg “Echeva” Kathan, a co-founder with Paul Kubala of the original Puryear park jai-alai from the late 1980s.  She can certainly hang in there with the big guys and loves her time out there on the court.  The following morning, about 12 players were out there including the above mentioned “Long Distance Travelers”.     

Talk about some dedicated players, often making a drive longer than they can play out there in the summer heat!