Finding Jai Alai's Last Hope

Longreads Sports Columnist Britni de la Cretaz and Head Of Fact-Checking Matt Giles wanted to find out what happened to Becky Smith, the woman who was supposed to have become the first female professional jai alai player in the United States, but stopped playing during her peak in the 80's.  What they found when they called is that Becky Smith, now 54 years old, is back on the fronton and might be more important to the sport than ever. This episode is a production of Longreads and Charts & Leisure, produced by Jason Oberholtzer and Mike Rugnetta, with help from Britni de la Cretaz, Matt Giles and Whitney Donaldson. Hosted by Catherine Cusick. Mixed and scored with original music by Jason Oberholtzer and Michael Simonelli. Longreads' theme music was written and performed by Brian Donohoe.