I've never lost my fascination for this unusual sport; it seems meant to be played in a gravity-free environment. But it is dangerous: a whirling, rock-hard pelote caroming off reinforced concrete walls at well over 150 miles per hour makes a deadly missile. I once saw a referee carried off on a stretcher after being hit in the leg by a ball on the rebound, and 30 players were killed between 1900 and the introduction of helmets in 1960. This also means the audience is separated from the players by a heavy mesh, and flash photography is strictly forbidden lest it temporarily blind a player. But the low light and fast movement make for photos that emphasize the concept of speed.