Pelota Mixteca
During Covid I was working out at the Healdsburg Community center when I saw a group of people playing a game I had never seen before. I approached the men playing the game and asked them in Spanish what they were playing. They told me that they were playing “Pelota Mixteca” also known as “Mixtec-style ball” or “Mixtec Ball”. The game was similar to handball without the wall, it also reminded me of tennis but there were no nets. I asked them if I could interview some of the players and they agreed. I quickly ran home, grabbed my gear and this is the vlog that I came up with.
Mixtec Ball History
Pelota Mixteca has deep roots. The game was played by the Mixtecs and the early variations of the game date back further than 3,000 years ago according to some historians. This game has gone through many changes throughout the years and is an ever evolving sport. The tennis style scoring system is thought to have come from Basque and Valencian Pelota around 400 years ago. While a large portion of Mexico doesn’t know about the sport, Mixtec Ball is very popular in the Mexican States of Oaxaca and Guerrero. The past 40 years, Oaxacans have revitalized the sport in California.
Pelota Mixteca Rules
There are many variations of Mixtec Ball. The following variation is the one that I saw played in Northern California. Pelota Mixteca uses the same scoring system as tennis. The game is played with special gloves made out of ribbon and bee honey. The ball is similar to a softball without the outer shell (traditionally it’s a rubber ball). Each team has 5 players, one player bounces the ball on the ground then hits it to the other side of the court. The opposing team has to hit the ball back within the courts boundaries. Most games are played tournament style with the winning team advancing to the next round.
Rising Popularity
A lot of the older players that I met have been playing since the 1980’s in California. They say that the sport has grown in popularity throughout California. Many tournaments are played with teams coming from all over Northern California, Southern California and Central California. In the North Bay area, Napa California holds some of the most consistent tournaments. According to a younger man I talked to, many players are already teaching their kids how to play.
What’s it like hitting the ball?
In the video I had the opportunity to try on a glove to hit the ball. The glove is strapped to your hand with a ribbon that is similar to boxing wraps. I was not expecting the hard contact when hitting the ball. Over time I can see how one’s arm can get tired from hitting the ball. It would take a lot of practice to be competitive against the seasoned players but it does look like a very fun sport.
Forever Evolving Sport
Like any sport, Mixtec Ball is continually evolving. Even in the last 20 years, players went from only being able to use one hand, to being able to bounce the ball with their left hand and hitting it with their right. The court sizes have also changed. Traditionally the courts were longer and wider than they are today. Due to all these changes and there not being a strict organization to oversee the rules, there are many variations of Pelota Mixteca. Even today, the “traditional” ways of playing in Oaxaca are different from the form Pelota Mixteca I saw being played in Healdsburg’s Wine Country.
Culture & Art
It’s not a coincidence that all the players that I talked to were from Oaxaca. For many of these players it’s a way to keep their culture alive. The players look at Mixtec Ball as an art form that takes them back to their roots in Oaxaca. As they assimilate to American society and their kids and grandkids trade in indigenous languages and Spanish for English-this sport is something they can hand down.
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I hope to create many more vlogs like this one throughout Northern California.
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