Game 2

$2.00
Saturday, December 5, 2015 - 12 noon
Puryear Park, St. Petersburg, FL
2015 NJAA
AMATEUR COURT
CHAMPIONSHIP
Florida vs. Connecticut
Amateur Court Jai-Alai Championship
FLORIDA
CONNECTICUT
Welcome to the first annual Florida-Con
Buster’s
Courtside Grill &
Pro Shop
Open 11am - 4pm
Saturday December 5, 2015
5701 Lee St. NE
Puryear Park
“Matt” Balls
Light
Green
and
Tan
colored
$15.00
Commemorative Program
$2.00
L/XL
$25
tampabayjaialai.com
2
nnecticut Amateur Court Championship!
Welcome to the First Annual NJAA vs. CAJA event!
You will witness some of the best amateur jai-alai action in the
country today as round 1 takes place here in St. Pete. Next
weekend, we all head to Connecticut for Round 2.
This whole event took place when Matt DiDomizio contacted
Laca a few months ago about putting together a Connecticut vs.
Florida event. While N. Miami was supposed to be part of the
action, we were unable to make further communication with the
people down there and we had to pull them off the card.
Next year's event will be pushed up to late April or early May
and hopefully include N Miami and Laca's new court, which will
be about the same size as Matt's court in Connecticut. We would
be able to wrap the event around the grand opening of the Laca
court and 8th anniversary of Puryear Park and an anniversary of
Matt's court.
The same ball is used in both events – the Matt Ball. Enjoy the
action!
Handicapping the winners
Picking the winners of this championship is not
easy. This is a home and away event, where the
winners are expected to be the “home” team at
each cancha. Connecticut will find it hard to
adjust to adjust to the quirky court at Puryear,
while Florida might struggle on the bigger court
in Hartford. Because of the scratches, not all the
same players will appear in the two events. Also,
Connecticut and Florida are not sending their top
6-8 players to play, making it even more difficult
to predict, but the NJAA is sending a few of their
star players up north. It's all for fun and a year of
bragging rights, but that NJAA trophy sure does
look nice!
ODDS
December 5th @ St. Pete, FL
FLORIDA over CONNECTICUT - 1 to 3 odds
December 12th @ Berlin, CT
CONNECTICUT over FLORIDA - 2 to 1 odds
The Salt-Free Solution to Hard Water
727.562.5186
3
The Healthy Alternative To Chlorine
Game
1
Game
1st
Doubles
NJAA Exhibition Game 2nd
10 straight points
POST
2
3rd
POINTS
PLAYERS
1st
Doubles
NJAA Exhibition Game 2nd
10 straight points
POST
Rule & King
1
Eric L & Denver
2
Mike & Eric M
2
Mike & King
3
Ricky & Chris
3
Ricky & Mark
4
Eric L & Mark
4
Rule & Chris
Castanos
Game
/
Mixed Doubles
Exhibition Game
3
10 straight points
POST
SUB
Denver
PLAYERS
1st
Game
2nd
4
3rd
Scott
/
Eric M
Mixed Doubles
Exhibition Game
10 straight points
PLAYERS
1
David II & Thomas
1
Matt D & Anthony
2
Castanos & Denver
2
Julio & Eric M
3
Mike & Frazier
3
Mike & Monty
4
Carlo & King
4
Chip & Rocco
5
Rule & Jacques
5
Eric L & Laca
SUB
Eric L
/
SUB
Eric M
NJAA
Scoreboard
& Statistics
all maintained
by
4
1st
2nd
3rd
POST
POINTS
POINTS
PLAYERS
1
SUB
3rd
Carlo
/
Frazier
POINTS
Game
Mixed Doubles
Exhibition Game
5
10 straight points
POST
1st
Game
2nd
6
3rd
POINTS
PLAYERS
Mixed Doubles
Exhibition Game
10 straight points
POST
Scott & Chris
1
Ricky & Monty
2
David II & King
2
Matt D & King
3
Castanos & Frazier
3
Mike & Chris
4
Carlo & Laca
4
Rule & Anthony
5
Eric L & Jacques
5
Julio & Denver
Matt D
Game
7
/
Monty
SUB
Mixed Doubles
Exhibition Game
1st
10 straight points
2nd
POST
8
POINTS
PLAYERS
Chip
Game
3rd
/
1st
10 straight points
2nd
3rd
POST
PLAYERS
1
Chip & Thomas
2
Scott & Laca
2
Castanos & Monty
3
Chip & Mark
3
King & Jacques
4
Ricky & Rocco
4
Julio & Denver
5
Anthony & Eric M
5
Carlo & Mark
/
SUB
King
POINTS
Mixed Doubles
Exhibition Game
Rule & Thomas
David II
3rd
Thomas
1
SUB
2nd
PLAYERS
1
SUB
1st
Eric L
/
POINTS
Eric M
Eric Lanctot
3565 126th Avenue North
Clearwater, FL 33762
(813)-833-5592
Phone 727-528-8301
Fax 727-528-8424
[email protected]
[email protected]
5
Game
Mixed Doubles
Exhibition Game
1st
10 straight points
2nd
9
Eric L & King
2
Mike & Chris
3
Rule & Denver
4
Mark & Eric M
21 straight points
1
1st
2nd
3rd
POST
POINTS
PLAYERS
1
SUB
10
3rd
POST
NJAA vs. CT
Roster Challenge
Game
POINTS
PLAYERS
NJAA
a. Scott & Rocco
b. Julio & Anthony
c. Chip & Laca
d. Castanos & Thomas
Julio
/
2
Connecticut
Jacques
a. Matt D & Monty
b. Carlo & Frazier
c. David II & Jacques
SUBS
Game
11
NJAA vs. CT
1st
Front Court
2nd
Singles Championship
10 straight points
POST
PLAYERS
Game
12
3rd
Rule
/
NJAA vs. CT
1st
Back Court
2nd
Singles Championship
10 straight points
POST
POINTS
PLAYERS
1
Chip
1
Laca
2
Matt D
2
Jacques
3
Scott
3
Anthony
4
Carlo
4
Monty
5
Julio
5
Thomas
6
David II
6
Frazier
7
Castanos
7
Rocco
SUBS
SUBS
Rule
The Salt-Free Solution to Hard Water
727.562.5186
6
Mark
Mark
The Healthy Alternative To Chlorine
3rd
POINTS
Ex-Pros
1st
Singles Championship 2nd
Game
13
3rd
NJAA Exhibition Game 1st
Doubles
2nd
10 straight points
3rd
POINTS
PLAYERS
POST
1
Frazier
2
Denver
3
Scott
4
Matt D
5
Rocco
6
David II
7
Ricky
POINTS
PLAYERS
1
Ricky
/
Denver
2
Eric L
/
Chris
3
Mike
/
Mark
4
Rule
/
Eric M
SUB
King
N/A
NJAA vs. CT
Team
Championship Game
Game
15
21 straight points
POST
PLAYERS
1
Chip & Laca
2
Matt D & Monty
3
Castanos & Thomas
4
Carlo & Frazier
5
Scott & Rocco
6
David II & Jacques
7
Julio & Anthony
SUBS
14
10 straight points
POST
SUBS
Game
Rule
/
1st
Special
Thanks to all of
Our Sponsors!
2nd
3rd
POINTS
NJAA Scoreboard & Statistics
all maintained by
Mark
Eric Lanctot
3565 126th Avenue North
Clearwater, FL 33762
(813)-833-5592
Phone 727-528-8301
Fax 727-528-8424
[email protected]
[email protected]
7
Player Profiles
NJAA Tournament Players
Paul Kubala - CASTANOS
50 years old. Co-founder of the NJAA. Key principle in getting the St. Pete court built – the
first public court in America – after decades of work. Been playing on the Puryear Park court
since 1987 and knows the court better than anyone. Deadly sidearm forehand when on the
outside. Crafty veteran can mix up speeds to offset opponents. Always a top performer on the
NJAA court.
Eric Pigntaro- ROCCO
26 years old. Started playing in 2005 at Britton Plaza Tampa and then 2008 at Puryear Park.
Rising star played pro jai-alai in Orlando in 2012 and 2014 and in Dania 2012. Now deals
blackjack at the Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood. Rapidly became a top player at Puryear Park.
Solid player with no weaknesses. Does not play much lately because of his job and this can be
a factor. However, he always rises to the occasion!
Scott King – SCOTT K
57 years old. Not to be confused with “King” who is on the roster and was named after Scott
King in 1986. Started playing at the age of 8 at South Miami, North Miami and Orbea's. Played
pro jai-alai in Tampa from 1983-1995, Ocala 1981-1995, Ft. Pierce 1981-1982, Quincy 19811983 and Orlando 2012. Solid, intelligent player with no weaknesses. Major pro-union guy is
a solid ambassador to the game.
Jeff Conway – LACA
60 years old. Aging amateur veteran started playing in 1978 at Seminole Middle School.
Played 20 years there (no back wall) which explains poor rebote skills. Was a great catcher
with a very strong reverse. Will show glimpses of past success on occasion. Been playing on
Puryear court since 1992. Donated money to get court built in conjunction with city. Plans to
build private court on residence where he owns massive jai-alai museum.
Thomas Fillmore – THOMAS
42 years old. AKA MUCHORIGHTSIDE. 23 years amateur jai-alai experience. Was ticket
puncher at Tampa jai-alai and his ID hangs in the Laca Museum. Multiple 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place
finishes at Tampa, Ft. Pierce, Orlando Jai-alai amateur leagues since 1996. Multiple backcourt
championships at NJAA court since 2008. Slowed down recently by major neck surgery
leaving titanium plates and screws in him.
Julio Restina – JULIO
28 years old. Smoke throwing and a smooth catcher who is now in his prime. Current 2015
NJAA champion with highest winning percentage at .588. Won 2014 NJAA title with a
remarkable .597 winning percentage. Hard thrower from both sides with excellent catching
skills. Played amateur in Tampa 1996-1998 and Orlando 1999-2014. Regular at Puryear Park
since 2008. Could dominate at Matt's court.
8
NJAA Tournament Players (continued)
Anthony Sutton – ANTHONY
8 years old. Considered by many to be the greatest amateur player ever from Florida. Began
playing at age 15. Started playing in Tampa amateur in 1995. Won many tournaments in
Tampa, Ft. Piece, Ocala with Paul Berglund and Ricky Solaun. Strong forehand and amazing
catcher. Just recovering from 2 major knee operations. Turned down pro contracts with Ocala
in 2000, Orlando multiple times from 2005-2013 and Hamilton in 2006.
Charles Stutts – CHIP
47 years old. Don't let his size fool you. Crafty and intelligent player has been a top 3 finisher
in the NJAA multiple times. A little rusty now since he stopped playing for a year or so until
recently playing again. Subbing place of Mark's son “Matt” whom Chip was originally
sponsoring. Played many years at Orlando, Tampa, Miami and Ocala frontons as amateur.
Variety of kill shots.
Connecticut's Tournament Players
Geno Mikulski – GENO
SCRATCHED FOR ST. PETE EVENT ONLY – 49 years old. Solid front court player at
CAJA who has played mainly at the amateur courts in Milford.
Fred Monteleone – MONTY
48 years old. Solid back court player at CAJA who played mainly at Jai-alai Heaven in
Bloomfield, CT.
Jacques Berberian – JACQUES
72 years old. The “dinosaur” of all jai-alai players. Has been playing longer than anyone can
remember, mostly in Milford, CT. Steady back courter at CAJA.
Carlo Chiulli – CARLO
40 years old. The youngest of the CT players in the tournament. He has played mostly
outdoors and at CAJA. Cousin of Matt's and helps run the establishment in Berlin, CT. Plays
front and back, but will play front in the tournament. Huge fan of jai-alai and was frequently
seen in Orlando for the Citrus Tournament.
Steve Frazier – FRAZIER
48 years old. Very strong back court player who played at the Milford amateur fronton and
played professionally in Hartford for 8 years. Was a regular at the CAJA court until moving to
Florida last year. Will only play in the St. Pete tournament.
9
Connecticut's Tournament Players (continued)
Matt DiDomizio – MATT
51 years old. Owner of the CAJA. Has been playing jai-alai for 34 years. Started outdoors and
then played at the Milford amateur courts. Played pro for 3 years at Hartford. Solid front court
player with no weaknesses. Excellent knowledge of his court (obviously!) and an amazing
rebote artist. Shocked the jai-alai world by building his own amateur court in Berlin,
Connecticut seven years ago.
David Lubinsky - DAVID II
on loan from NJAA to sub for GENO – 52 years old. The definition of a player that throws
smoke. Hard thrower can hurl the ball as fast as anybody, but will be hindered by Puryear
Park's small size. Played pro from 1985 to 1994. Was offered contact to play in Orlando last
year. Has played pro at Bridgeport, Orlando, Ocala, and Tampa frontons. Practiced in dozens
of courts around the world. Filling in for Geno.
NJAA roster players on the St. Pete only card
Michael Alli – RULE
33 years old. Started playing at the age of 12. Played outdoors and on a racquetball court
before playing at Tampa jai-alai before it closed. Regular at Puryear Park for the past 6 years or
so. Currently number 2 in the NJAA championship for highest winning percentage for 2015.
Superb catcher and possesses excellent court savvy. Does not throw hard, but catches and
returns everything without beating himself.
Ricardo Hernandez – RICKY
51 years old. Began playing at the age of 14 at N. Miami. Became pro player in 1986 playing
at Big Bend/Orlando from '86-'88. Played 1989-1991 in West Palm Beach/Newport RI. Retired
for two years then played in Hartford in 1993 and then Tampa from '95-'97. Started playing at
Puryear Park 3 months ago and is still learning the small court after playing pro all those years.
Very popular with the players already.
Michael Berry – Mike
54 years old. Started playing jai-alai in 1988. Was regular in Orlando amateur leagues winning
many 1st and 2nd place titles. Played at Britton Plaza and has been a regular at Puryear Park for 8
years. One of the best catchers in the game and very fast. Can catch the hardest balls thrown.
He does not throw hard, however. His amazing talking scoreboard and record keeping of the
players for the NJAA site is invaluable.
10
NJAA roster players on the St. Pete only card (continued)
Mark Sutton - MARK
41 years old. Began playing at age 18 with his brothers Anthony and Chip in 1992. Played in
Tampa as amateur in 1995 and has been playing at Puryear since 2008. Incredible talent but
does not play much anymore. Hard thrower and smooth catcher. Won several Orlando and
NJAA league championships. Has the talent to be the best player on the court. Turned down
pro contract from Hamilton Jai-alai in 2009.
Eric Moore – ERIC M
48 years old. Started playing in 1987 and learned to play at Ft. Piece. Played at Tampa,
Orlando, West Palm Beach in amateur leagues. Has devastating power, especially the reverse.
Will literally scare players off the court with his heat. Been a regular at Puryear Park the past
several years. Also played at N. Miami.
Louis Berdellans – Jai-a-Lou
SCRATCHED. 51 years old. Popular player started playing at the age of 19 at N. Miami.
Played pro jai-alai at Newport RI from 1988-1992 and at Big Bend in 1991. Former PR
director for Dania Jai-alai. Has a killer server but now only plays at our Puryear Park events.
Knows the sport of jai-alai and its history as well as anybody.
Eric Lanctot - ERIC L
41 years old. Started playing at age 14 at Puryear Park and then Tampa jai-alai 1990-'92.
Natural frontcourter with strong rebote. Was 5-year placekicker at Vanderbilt University in the
SEC. Did not play jai-alai for 20 years until returning in St. Pete in 2012. Now a regular on the
court and one of the most popular and respected players at Puryear. Seems to step it up a notch
when big names like Daniel, Owens and Benny appear!
Bruce Weissman – DENVER
56 years old. Started playing at Orbea's amateur court in 1977. His love for the sport is
unparalleled. Began pro jai-alai career in 1986 at Tijuana, Mexico. Played pro in 1988 in West
Palm Beach, 1988-1991 in Newport, RI, 1988 in Ft. Pierce, and 1989 at Big Bend. Former PR
director of Orlando Jai-alai. Only plays at our Puryear Park events now.
Christopher La Rosa – CHRIS
37 years old. Started playing at Tampa jai-alai in 1996. Steady player who has greatly
improved since the Matt Ball came into play. Strong catcher and thrower with a variety of kill
shots. Started playing at Puryear in 2009.
Noel Foster – KING
46 years old. Was given the name KING by Laca in 1986 at Seminole Middle School. Not to
be confused with Scott King, we simply now call him “Seminole King”. Played amateur at
Tampa, Orlando, Ocala, Ft. Piece. Went on hiatus for decades until about 6 years ago when he
made surprise appearance at Puryear. Now a regular and possesses one of the strongest arms
from both sides. Only weakness can be his serves.
11
NJAA Roster
tampabayjaialai.com