Archive for July, 2010
Derby Name:
Hi 5
Number:
5
Team(s):
Cleveland Steamers, All-Stars
Position(s):
I’m happy to serve wherever duty calls.
What brought you to the world of derby?
I’ve been doing roller derby as long as I have lived in Cleveland. I moved up from Athens, Ohio to Cleveland in 2007 for a job and heard about BRRG just before they were to hold their first fresh meat August. It was great timing and I’ve enjoyed skating so much with everyone.
How do you feel you about your progress you’ve made since your start?
I feel like a completely different skater since I was that girl in the red tank top skating for the Steamers in Season Two. I skate differently, think and understand the game differently, and I think I have more strengths as a skater.
I loved Slambassador, why did you change your name?
I think it goes along with feeling like a different skater. Plus, it was a very long name that didn’t fit well on the back of a jersey. I will most likely change my name next year too. Let me know if you have any suggestions.
How did you trick Algebro into being a referee?
No tricks needed, he joined to share in this crazy derby thing but was surprised in how intellectually challenging and physically demanding it is to be a roller derby referee. It has been fun for him.
What skates are you currently using?
I skate in Riedells 395s.
What are your Season 5 personal goals?
Personal goals are to become a powerful hitter, get lighter on my skates, and learn how to use opposing blockers as “helpers” when trying to stop the opposing jammer. I would really like to play every position well eventually. All of those things plus I would love to be able to do hurricane kicks and the circle waltz on roller skates.
I noticed you have been doing a couple races lately, how has that been going?
It’s going well, I’m hoping to run a marathon in late September which is something that I’ve wanted to do for a while.
What are your hopes for the future of BRRG?
I would like for BRRG to continue to become more competitive at a national level.
What are your thoughts/feelings about Steamers from when you started, to current day?
The Steamers have always been a cohesive, fun team with an overwhelming number of secret nerds. The fun has always carried through but I’ve noticed our team really likes to talk about strategy and rules more now than ever. The nerd-ism has crossed over to derby.
What books have you been recently enjoying?
A few books that I’ve read that stand out recently are “No one belongs here more than you” which is a collection of short stories by Miranda July. I’ve also been reading “Marathon : the ultimate guide” by Hal Higdon. I am also revisiting some Flannery O’Connor.
Do you have any pre-bout antics to get you prepared?
I don’t have any antics per se but I do spend some quiet time alone and visualize what I want to do on the track.
How has roller derby affected your life?
I have turned into a jock for the first time ever, I’m not sure exactly when and how it happened, though I think Primp Daddy may have had something to do with it.I am more active than I have ever been in my life and maybe a little more dull headed. I also know so many inspiring women now and came to meet them almost instantly when joining the league.
How are you feeling about being on the travel team?
I like All-Stars, I enjoy the competitive camaraderie and playing with girls across the league that I don’t normally get a chance to join up with as teammates.
What do you do when you are not playing derby?
I like to run, lift, read, spend time with friends, take classes at CSU, and generally just enjoy living here in beautiful Cleveland.
In your opinion, how roller derby can achieve more recognition as a sport?
I think as more derby leagues are established and more people personally know someone playing the sport of roller derby, more people will come to know it as a sport. WFTDA and sports journalism play a huge role in getting it recognized as a sport. It would be great to see the WFTDA National Championships broadcast on television so that people could see the highest levels of athleticism of the sport of roller derby.
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What a beautiful start to my day. I walk into my box to start my workout, and a girl walks up to me and says “Do you only own roller derby t-shirts”? To which I reply, “no I have a couple other shirts”. It is nice to know that when you are trying to put up the top score on the board, people are taking note to derby shirts I often wear at my box. Plan for tonight: Partying with Pinups!
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Really I am still in awe of what took place the other night. Let this night live in infamy, July 10th 2010 – the end of the Hellbombers undefeated reign of terror. The whole night was impressive; anyone who was a derby fan and had to miss this bout, I feel very sorry for.
First bout Hard Knockers vs. Cleveland Steamers
The Knockers needed this bout in so many ways; going into this bout without a win, struggling to get back in sync, and needing to let out some pent up aggression. But the Steamers are no team to be walked on, they have been on fire this season. As I predicted would be the case, bodies were flying everywhere! WC looked at me when Cupquake came flying into us, and said “its about time someone slid into us”. I really miss the 8 foot borders!  One thing that was killing the Steamers was the amount of penalties, especially jammer penalties. But all in all, I am not sure how different the lineups were for the knockers, but you better keep it for next season. Knockers had pack control most of the night, setting up key blocks, trapping a steamer in the back and forcing twenty foots. And then there was Mommy’s Little Monster – holy shit!! Monster was unstoppable out on the track, over fifty points scored for her team, unbelievable! This bout was so exciting from start to finish, finals had brought out the best in the Knockers, and the Steamers just could not answer. Two in the pink, none in the stink, Ian and his pink snuggie, helped fuel the Knockers to a very powerful win over the always tough Steamers.
The main event Rolling Pinups vs. Hellbombers
I have never seen so much green in the stands, even Destroya’s brother and Killy’s man Josh were wearing green, (everyone loves the Pinups) it was incredible! When the first jam finished, I was like oh yeah this is going to be a war; when the second jam finished I said oh no this is going to get ugly. And this is how how the first half went, classic Bombers style; small jams 4-5 point nickle and dime, and just keep widening the gap. Pinups were struggling to get their pack in sync, Bombers were having an easy time making lead jam. Towards the end of the first half, Pinups were able to out a couple points on the board to try and keep the damage minimal. Often Pinups jammers were forced to call jams without scoring knowing a bomber was right behind them. As the first half came to a close the Bombers were ahead by double 48 – 24.
With the start of the second half the Pinups got themselves back on track, and were slowing starting to stifle the Bombers offense. Back and forth couple point jams, giving the Pinups the confidence needed to get back in the game, Steve (playing the father role to my child) WC, and myself all said the same thing: “you know two big jams, and they are right back in this thing” and then, just like that, huge back to back jams by Boots and then by Pixie, and the Pinups are in the lead! The sound of the crowd was over bearing, it sounded like ten thousand people were in the stands screaming. I jumped up in amazement, the place was out of control! The last two jams are so crucial when the point spread is so close, any team that loses their cool can be completely rolled on. Pixie takes the lead, gets a couple , calls off the jam with time on the clock for one more jam. Boots vs CoCo, the pack is filled with vets, it is on! Boots starts roadblocking CoCo to wear down the clock, 40 seconds left on the clock CoCo is sent to the box, this could really happen! The fear of booty going to the box, greatly overwhelmed my body, jammerless jam could have been devastating. Booty takes lead, calls off the jam, Pinups have managed to do the Unthinkable! PINUPS are the 2010 Hazard Cup Champions!!!
There are so many moments in these bouts that I could write forever! I personally want to thank every skater, bench manager, referee, announcer, medic, and volunteer who made this season so memorable, so enjoyable, and for providing the most entertaining sport that Cleveland has to offer! Thank you!!
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This is it, the Finals, the Hazard Cup, everything you have done leads up to this day. Have you done enough, what about the person next you, how about your team as a whole? Do you feel confident when you step out on that track, that you and your teammates have put everything on the line for this victory? Have you watched the tapes of your previous bout against your opponents? If you were a gambler, would you bet on your own team? Hopefully you have answered yes to all these questions!
The Pinups and the Hellbombers square off for the Hazard Cup on Saturday, this is familiar territory for the Bombers, as for the Pinups this is un-chartered waters. The last time these two teams collided, it was probably one of the best, strategical, cut throat, exciting games to watch all season, and I expect the rematch to be even better!
I had the pleasure of corresponding with an expert in the field about the up and coming bout, I would love to share with you all.
From Pain Austen
I remember in season 1 when the Knockers and Bombers had some really close bouts that the Knockers came out on top of. So for the first Hazard Cup, there was a lot of support for the Bombers as underdogs (weird, right?). It was crazy. There was so much cosmic ‘win’ energy focused on the Bombers. Do you think they are still floating on that karma? They still have a good portion of that line up that won the championship that first year. The 1st season was also the season of the PinUps polka-dotted dress uniforms. Now that they don’t have to worry about their boobs falling out of their halter tops, the PinUps are a force to be reckoned with. From the looks of things, the PinUps are a really strong team this year. Their only two loses were incredibly close, one in overtime, just like the Bombers in season 1. Are they the chosen ones to break the Bombers streak?
Personally, I do not want to spout off at who needs to do what, or what I feel is the key to your victory. If you have asked me personally (like many of you have, not including the drunken 3am ranting in my back yard last Saturday) I have shared what I feel are the key elements to winning this bout. I will not be posting that today. Today, all I am going to say is good luck, and I wish you the best. WC and I have decided that we will be wearing our white Sk8intheFace polo shirts to not show any favoritism. We have come to know and love so many of you girls it is very hard to root for only one team. We are just happy to be there, and enjoy the bouts.
Steamers and Knockers will be skating first fighting for the third place spot, I expect this game to be very fast paced, and bodies flying everywhere! Best of luck to both teams, be safe and have fun!
Half-Time show will be the Jr. Fire-starters, I am really excited to see them, they always seem to have their bouts during my class times, so this will be the first bout I will get to see them play, expect me to yell just as loud as I always do!
Pinups and Bombers battling it out for the Hazard Cup. I cannot be more anxious for this bout. I have been playing this bout in my mind over and over, I cannot wait to see the action take place! Best of luck to everyone, leave it all on the track!
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Derby Name: punkd pixie
Number: 92
Team(s): The Rolling Pin Ups/ The Burning River All-Stars
Position(s): Jammer/ Blocker
What was the inspiration behind your name? I love punk rock music and pixie just seemed to fit me and then the two sounded great together
How did you first hear of the league? I was at the Leroy Thompson motorcycle show on the east side of Cleveland and BRRG was there doing full contact musical chairs! I watched them go after each other and I knew I had to do this!! So I went to a bout in N. Olmstead to see what it was really all about and I was in love 
Who is your derby Wife, and how is your relationship with her? I am single(in the derby wife arena)!! I like playing the field…hahaha
What happened to the Pixie Sticks?? I know i should bring those back. Everyone loves pixie sticks!!
Your jamming has stepped up vastly, what do you credit this to? I gained a lot of experience last year. With so few Pin ups skating in season 3, Eva and I were jamming almost every other jam last season. .
Who do you miss most that has left the league? That’s a tough question…. everyone 
How do you feel about growth of derby since your start? It’s amazing!!! I am so proud to be part of it all.
Tell us about our time as a part of The Hazmat Crew? I was part of the original committee to propose a “B” travel team and then was elected Captain. It was a struggle starting a new team and we went through some growing pains but I loved skating with those girls! It was challenging but a ton of fun
What has been your most embarrassing derby moment of all time? ummm….
How difficult is it for you to juggle derby and everything else? It’s very challenging. I have a full time job, a part time job, a 17 year old daughter, a boyfriend, the pin ups, and the All-stars…..it’s a constant juggling act but I honestly wouldn’t want my life any other way.
You in life are you inspired by? When things get rough and I feel like giving up I think of my daughter Rachel and how I want to teach her important life lessons, such as, you should never quit. Then I pick myself up and get going again.
What are your Season 4 goals? I want to score some points!! ha ha ha ha And I wanted to not only play hard but learn how to play smarter.
Tell us about your journey to All-Star status? It’s been a long road but very worth it. I’ve been working really hard not only skating but outside of practice work outs as well.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not skating? With such a busy life I usually enjoy chillin out at home with a glass of wine, reading or watching movies with my boyfriend David and my cats. When we do manage a free night we love going to see local bands and are huge fans of rockabilly.
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Turn 2 hopes that your day was fun filled and as wonderful as you could possibly imagine!
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