professional players and the rise of gambling and challenge matches. The break between indoor and outdoor forms caused many variants to diverge from the original Llargues version. Thus Perxa evolved into Galotxa, and which in turn gave rise to Escala i corda, while Raspall was still played in both courtfields. llargues is the only variant that uses the original "ratlles" rule, the others using a net to separate two sides on the playing area (as galotxa, and escala i corda), or with no court division at all (raspall). Another case is the Frontó variety, which was first documented in the late 19th century, influenced by the popularity of the main Basque pelota variant, which involves players throwing the ball against a wall. Nowadays, Valencian pilota is played in the whole Valencian Community, but every area has its preferred variety. Professional players of Escala i corda and Raspall are hired to play at the trinquets or in streets during the towns' festivals. The popularity of this sport is rising again with the building of new cortifields at schools, weekly broadcasts on Valencian public TV, the management of a professional company (ValNet) and the Handball International Championships with countries where these sports with a common origin are played. Playing area There are two basic versions of the sport depending whether it is played outdoors in a designated street or indoors. Variations of the game played in the street are Galotxa, Llargues and Raspall. The streets must be long and wide (Llargues or "longs" is the one which needs the most elongated playing ground). If the streets have some irregularities, such as balconies, lights, sidewalks, traffic signals, etc., they may be used in order to score. Some municipalities have built "fake streets" which look like real ones but are meant only for pilota games. As for the ones played indoors there are: Frare: Is a short Valencian frontó with bevels on the corners that cause the ball to bounce unexpectedly. Mostly played in the North of the Castelló province. Frontó: Valencian frontons long courts with a high wall, frontis, against which the players bounce the ball off a rear wall where the ball may be bounced as well and another wall at the left of the players. The frontis has a high line which marks the lowest point where a bouncing ball may hit. Galotxetes: Played in a space with a high net