Beti Jai fronton by architect Joaquín Rucoba (1844-1919), author of the Plaza de toros de La Malagueta, the Mercado de Atarazanas and park in Málaga, and the City Hall of Bilbao, among other works. It was the fourth infrastructure of these open features in Madrid at the end of the 19th century, in a time when the sport of Basque pelota reached a remarkable popularity in the Spanish capital. It was preceded, in this order, the frontons Jai Alai (1891), Fiesta Alegre and Euskal Jai. It was opened on April 29 of 1894 (other sources indicate the May 29 of the same year)
Jai alai is no wall on the right side, all jai alai players must play right-handed (wear the cesta on their right hand), as the spin of a left-handed hurl would send the ball toward the open right side. The sport can be dangerous, as the ball travels at high velocities. It has led to injuries that caused players to retire and fatalities have been recorded in some cases. Jai alai is a popular sport within the Latin American countries and the Philippines from its Hispanic influence. It was one of the two gambling sports from Europe, the other being horse racing,