At 100 mph, injuries are more devastating in Jai Alai.
Many players get bruises and scrapes for sliding on the floor or hitting the wall, but it is not uncommon for players to be hit by the pelota and break bones. One player in 1973, Rene Rocha, Andoni Echaniz, was hit in the face by a speeding pelota (Georgia East Staff). He hit the ground for a second or two then stood up (Georgia East Staff). Echaniz had to undergo facial surgery (Georgia East Staff). He had to have multiple bone rest, and he had two fractures on his face(Georgia East Staff). One of the fractures was to his orbital bone, the bone surrounding the eye. It is said that when players get hit by the rocketing pelota they never return the same (Georgia East Staff) In 1968, Fernando Orbea was hit in the head with a poorly thrown ball (Georgia East Staff). This injury lead to the requirement of helmets for the safety of the players (Georgia East Staff). In 1973, Rene Rocha was hit in the eye and did not return to professional play (Georgia East Staff). Orbea, and Echaniz have returned to the fronton and the professional level. Orbea is now retired, but Echaniz is still playing for Dania Jai Alai and is the great player he was before his injury.