Berlin Businessman Works to Revive Jai Alai in Connecticut

In 2010, Matt DiDomizio opened an jai alai fronton in Berlin — the first time there has been such a facility for this sport since 2001.

Three years later, Connecticut Amateur Jai Alai is still going, and DiDomizio continues to garner players. There is no professional jai alai played there, however DiDomizio offers lessons and opens his facility for anyone who wishes to try the ball game.

"I say that unequivocally and without doubt because there are still a lot of people that love the game,” DiDomizio told The Republican-American in a recent interview. “And there is a history of the sport here that there isn't elsewhere."

DiDomizio has talked about opening a fronton, which is a professional jai alai facility, however it’s a matter of building support.

The Republican reported that DiDomizio has sought to bring jai alai to Connecticut’s two casinos — Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun — however neither business has responded to multiple letters he has sent

Jai alai’s somewhat seedy past as a fixed game with mafia ties came up recently during the trial of James “Whitey” Bulger, The Hartford Courant reported.