Pelota Nacional (Ecuador)

Pelota Nacional or National Ball is a sport similar to tennis wherein players use spiky wooden racquets to hit a small rubber ball back and forth. The object of the game is to hit the ball so that it bounces into the opponent’s field and is not hit back, thus earning points. It is an important historical sport that originated in Ecuador in the 15th century and continues to be played today, specifically in the North Andean region of the country.