Mesoamerican Ballgame Association USA

Mesoamerican Ballgame Association USA
SportUlama (de Cadera)
Founded2019
First season2023
Organising bodyInternational Mesoamerican Ball Game Association
No. of teams3
Country United States
International cup(s)Mesoamerican Ball Game Championship

The Mesoamerican Ballgame Association USA or AJUPEME USA (Asociacion de Juego de Pelota Mesoamericano USA) is the main sports organization for Ulama de Cadera in the United States.[1][2] It is a member of the International Mesoamerican Hip Ball Game Association based in Mexico.[3]

Format

AJUPEME USA plays Ulama de Cadera, or hip ulama, meaning it plays the iteration of Ulama with hips.

Players wear suede and leather around the midsection and a faja, a woven belt. An 8-lb rubber ball that is approximately 8 inches in diameter is used to play Ulama de Cadera.[4] The ball is made from the rubber of an Arbol de Castilla tree and sulfur.[5]

Gameplay

In the US version of ulama de cadera, each ulama team has seven players on the field at any time. The game has two halves with 20-minutes each, with a ten-minute halftime. Players can only contact the ball with their hips.[5]

Domestic teams

Within AJUPEME USA, there are currently four delegations: California, Arizona Practice, Nevada, and Yankwik Mexiko (New Mexico). Each delegation governs the sport in each of their respective states.

AJUPEME USA teams
Team Location Delegation Est Venue Note
Oceyolotl de San Fernando Valley San Fernando, CA California 2019 El Cariso Community Regional Park Formerly Itzpapalotl San Fernando Valley
New Mexico Macanas Albuquerque, NM Yankwik Mexiko 2022 Mesa Verde Community Center
Atlético Tlecoyotes de San Diego San Diego, CA California 2023 Chicano Park
TBD Yuma, AZ Arizona Practice TBD[4]

National team

National record of AJUPEME USA:[3]

International Hipball Championship/ Mesoamerican Ball Game Championship
Year Host Ranking
2019 Orange Walk Town, Belize 3rd place
2022 Xcaret, Quintana Roo, Mexico 3rd place

References

  1. ^ "Group of athletes look to bring back Ulama, one of the world's oldest sports - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  2. ^ Calderon, Jannelle (2023-10-19). "Ancient Mesoamerican sport makes a comeback in Las Vegas". The Nevada Independent. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  3. ^ a b ajupemeusa. "ajupeme-usa". ajupeme-usa. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  4. ^ a b Hyson, Katie (2023-07-28). "Indigenous athletes are reviving an ancient sport in San Diego". KPBS Public Media. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  5. ^ a b Castro, Francisco; Sol, San Fernando Valley Sun/El (2019-06-26). "Mesoamerican Ball Bounces into San Fernando". The San Fernando Valley Sun. Retrieved 2024-06-09.