The Return of Roller Derby

UPDATE - Thanks to the commentors that  pointed out mis-named the opposing team in the Your Mom bout.  It was of course the Sioux City Kornstalkers and not the Twin City Terrors.  After the bout I was talking to my friend Angie and said something like "I saw male roller derby a couple years ago when they Twin City Terrors did an exhibition bout during the intermission at an MIR bout a couple years ago."  I have a short recap here.  And then with the upcoming bout with TC Terrors being announced over the PA sytem shortly there after, somehow the opposing team that I saw that night became the Twin City Terrors in my mind within the next couple days before writing this post.  I apologize to the Twin City Terrors and everyone else for the confusion.


The Des Moines Derby Dames (D3) kicked off the new season of roller derby on Saturday.  With AHL hockey no longer in Des Moines, roller derby and Bucs hockey are my sports of choice but for some reason I haven't been able to get in to the Bucs this year.  It had seemed like a long time since the last derby bout and I was really looking forward to this bout.  The competition, the crowd, the cheering, the freak watching...everything sounded good.

I knew it was going to be a big crowd.  D3 has always drawn a good sized crowd, even their first bouts last year had a really good turnout, but for this first match they teamed up with a lot of things to guarantee a big crowd.  The new and Iowa's only men's roller derby team played before the D3 bout, and the Derby Bratz the age 7-17 team was set to provide half-time entertainment.  That's triple the derby for the money.  In addition, they also had a featured Groupon offer with two-for-one tickets (and over 800 people purchased, I believe).  The bout took place at the State Fair Grounds in the new Jacobsen Exhibition Center.  I had never been in the JEC, so I wasn't sure what to expect.

Angie and I pulled in and the parking lot was packed, there were cars all over the place...the lot was full, the streets were full, and people were starting to park in the various grass embankments.  Even worse there was a huge line of people waiting to get in.  For the most part, I think lines are a sign of poor management and I hate waiting in them.  Angie and I wasted a little bit of time hoping it would dwindle but it only got larger.  Luckily, right when we got to the line, D3 sent someone else outside to take the groupon coupons and we were able to get right in.  Love when that type of thing works out.  FYI - there ended up being over 2500 people at derby Saturday night.  It was a huge and very diverse crowd.

Taking our places trackside, we settled in to enjoy some derby.  The Des Moines men's team is named Your Mom.  I thought this was a horrible name at first.  It just sounded dumb.  That was until I heard it in action.  At the bout, it made me laugh every time the announcer had to say something like "Penalty assessed to Your Mom," or "Ooh, a bit hit by Your Mom."  I warmed up to the name quite a bit.  I am pretty sure I mentioned it before, but I am just not that in to men's roller derby.  The men's leagues are more about power than finesse.  This is why I like women's derby - big hits and aggressiveness are definitely part of the women's derby but there is also a much bigger focus on skating agility.  Watching Your Mom was OK, but it wasn't really what I was hoping to get out of derby this night.  Angie did make a valid point here...pretty much everything you read about roller derby mentions fishnet stockings - where were your fishnets guys?  Somebody needs to get comfortable with their masculinity and slap some on.  Your Mom did totally kill the competition - when we took our seats the score was 129 to 15.  I wasn't sure if that was right at first and maybe they were having scoreboard issues, but soon it became clear that Your Mom was completely shutting down the competition.  Your Mom overall just looked much better conditioned and had the endurance to skate hard the entire match, while the Terrors Kornstalkers were quickly dragging their skates.  The final score was Your Mom 375, Twin City Terrors Sioux City Kornstalkers102.  Ouch.

When the Derby Dames took the rink it was all good.  I wasn't sure if I would be into it as much as I had in the past.  I was just in one of those moods and after then men's I was just 'meh'.   The Dames however quickly got me back into the derby mood and reminded me what I liked.  Great skating, funny names, awesome jukes, hanging on by the edge of the skate, and of course big hits too.  Stella Italiana was as awesome as I remembered, scoring 15 unanswered points on the first jam.  Quick, lithe and tiny she is a joy to watch skating through the pack, and continually dominated Quad City's jammers throughout the match.  Cosmo Disco seems to have stepped up her game since last year...but feisty as ever.  Cosmo scored big points and big hits.  She ended the night with a nice bruise and rink rash on her upper thigh (and new holes in her green fishnets).  New skater Smallsbury Steak also skated and jammed with lots of heart and drive throughout the entire night.  It wasn't all offense though.  The blockers and the pivots did a great job of shutting down Quad City's jammers and forced them to take many penalties.  A shout out to all the dames...you guys skated great all night.  The bout ended D3 187 to QC 67.  Good job girls.

Already looking forward to the next match...and for Des Moines other roller derby team (the 2010 undefeated) The Mid Iowa Rollers to start their season next month.  I wish you guys would set up matches against each other or at least double header matches.  I like you both and enjoy both your bouts but a little intercity rivalry would be awesome.  It is silly to ignore the other team.  You both have such great things to offer the city, teamed together you would but unstoppable.

The Derby Dilemma

This Saturday, both the Mid-Iowa Rollers and the Des Moines Derby Dames have a bout...on opposite sides of town. What to do?  Personally, I would like to see both bouts but that just isn't possible.  I will probably go to MIR, although that is not 100%.  The reasons would be mainly because I have been watching them longer, so know the players and the talent better.  That doesn't mean the DMDD won't be putting on a great show, I'm sure they will.  Is Des Moines big enough to host two derbies on the same night?  I am not sure.  I know each team does have it's own fans but there are many crossovers from all the t-shirts that I see at both team's bouts (plus I'm one).  This also happens next month on the 19th.  What to do?


It is probably too late for this season, but next year it would be nice if they could team up for double header when scheduling conflicts arise.  Start a little earlier, end a little later...get twice the roller derby and a huge group of fans.  I think that would totally be a win-win for everyone.  Expose all the fans to both teams, have a packed house and great atmosphere.  Double Derby = Double Awesome.




Quick recaps of the past couple weeks derby action.

On May 8th, the DM Derby Dames took on the Muddy River Nightmares.  It was good to see Syphiliz from MR Nightmares again...but I didn't get to see her without her helmet, so no Mohawk action.  It was my first time seeing the DM Derby Dames.  The Derby Dames put on a valiant effort but lost.  I thought they skated hard and with a lot of heart but didn't quite have the team work aspects down.  Better coordination with the blockers in the pack to prevent the other teams jammer from advancing and boosting our own jammer would help quite a bit.  All the dames seemed to have good potential and will do well with practice and time.  Skating was decent but need to work on speed, endurance, and side-to-side movement.  All in all, the Dames weren't bad for a team just a couple bouts into their inaugural season.  Special shout outs to Stella Italiana who always skated fast and loose and Cosmo Disco who skated well but was of smaller stature than most and was constantly being knocked to the ground (I'm sure she was black and blue by the end but she always got right back up and skated).  7 Flags Center could use better and more seating as many people had to sit on the concrete floor track side in the "suicide seats" which is not ideal for roller derby enjoyment.  Come see the Des Moines Derby Dames take on the Old Capital City Girls from Iowa City tomorrow night May 22nd, 7pm at the 7 Flags Events Center in Clive.

May 15th, the Mid Iowa Rollers took on the Mahaska Mayhem.  I was rushed when arriving to this bout and was never able to focus and really enjoy it.  MIR started off slowly with a lot of penalties.  So many penalties that I didn't think they would have a chance in the long run.  Great defense and blocking by the pack however, prevented the Mayhem from taking a large lead.  One example was when our jammer was in the penalty box at the beginning of a jam.  Mahaska had the opportunity to grab a huge lead.  Anna Killakova had a perfect strategy where she sped up the pack so that they were racing down the track with the opposing jammer barely able to catch up.   When the jammer did finally catch up she was perfectly blocked and checked to the ground.  Calmed down, MI Rollers were able to build and keep a lead throughout the rest of the bout.  Noticeable absences were cTAL faTAL and Fanny Firestarter, hopefully you will be back this weekend.  A couple new comers skated and held their own...although need a little work on strategy and calling off the jam at the appropriate time.  Come see the Mid Iowa Rollers take on the Sioux City Roller Dames tomorrow night May 22nd, 7pm at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines.

Music & Derby Notes

You may remember me talking about Ben Karis-Nix about a month ago during my Jupiter Sunrise is a great band you never heard of post.  He is on tour in Europe at the moment and offering his last EP as a free download for a limited time.  I've had it for quite a quite a while...and it is pretty decent.  More electronic than rock but the poetry of his lyrics are still there.  I encourage everyone to download it here.  The EP contains an alternate version of Steal Me, the video I embedded previously.  Free music...and no guilt about being a pirate.

On a Pale Horse, which is one my favorite local band and which I have previously mentioned here. Is playing a benefit concert on Grand Avenue outside House of Bricks on July 10th.  This is important for a couple reasons.  First, it is the first time in two years that Pale Horse has played a show (they broke up summer of 2008) and the first time this particular line up has played together in three plus years.  Second, it is to help raise money for two year old Bradley Allen who was been diagnosed with a rare brain cancer and is continually undergoing treatment.  Pale Horse is playing the second day of a two day event to help out Bradley and his family.  Please click to find out more about Bucks4Bradley.  Pale Horse is an awesome homegrown rock band...check them out for the last time (hopefully not).  Lots of other bands for your entertainment too.

Derby reminder for tomorrow night.  Mid Iowa Rollers will be skating in Hy-Vee Hall at the Bad Girls Ball.  The DM Derby Dames last weekend was a good time.  The Dames have a much needed week off, so MIR will have to be your derby fix. I hope to have a more detailed post on the Derby Dames soon.  If you are looking for something to do Saturday night, check it out.  Stop by and say hi, I'll be in the stands.

More posts with actual content next week.

Derby Dames Are Go

Tomorrow (Saturday) is the first chance that I will have to check out the other roller derby team in town, the Des Moines Derby Dames.  I have seen the Mid-Iowa Rollers many times but due to scheduling conflicts I have not been able to attend a Dames bout.  I am excited to see how it compares - both action-wise and show-wise.

I feel a little conflicted however because the Dames are skating against the Muddy River Nightmares from Clinton.  The same team that the MIRs skated against at the last bout I attended.  So, I am attending my second roller derby bout of the season with different home teams but the same opponent.  Maybe the Muddy River Nightmares should become my new home team?  I must admit that I am looking forward to seeing #666's awesome mohawk again...all though the whole punk attitude of 'Fuck the World' is really boring to me, I must admit to really enjoying their hairstyles.

Des Moines Derby Dames Roller Derby
7PM Saturday May 8th, 2010
7 Flags Events Center, Clive IA

If you are there, stop by and say hi.

On A Roll

Last weekend was the season opening bout for the Mid Iowa Rollers.  I was excited.  The exhibition match in March was OK, but it had a few drawbacks.  First, the teams were comprised of girls from all over the Midwest...basically whoever could make it.  That was interesting in itself, but meant that there was little teamwork as they hadn't skated together before.  The second drawback was that it was at Skate South.  Skate South is a decent place by itself, but you can't get that elevation to kind of look down on the skaters and appreciate the skating.  It is kind of neat being on the same level, it is a whole different experience but I also think there is something missing.  Also Skate South's parking lot is tiny...it barely held the cars of the team members let alone the fans.  I ended up parking about half a mile away.

All Mid Iowa Roller home bouts this year will be at Hy-Vee Hall or Vets Auditorium.  That is quite a step up from half at Skate South, half at Buc Arena (I do like Buc Arena though).  I was a little worried because Hy-Vee Hall is a big place and some of the bouts last year it felt like family and friends of the skaters and me.  Not a huge crowd.  It did pick up as the season went on.  I was just worried since it was the first bout of the year.  I was worried that I would be one of 20 fans in this huge empty space.  I did not want to look like that creepy middle age guy who shows up to ogle the young women.  I am that guy...I just didn't want to be too obvious about it.  There was no need to worry, I wouldn't say it was packed but there were a lot of people there this weekend.  Track Side  and Tier Seating comprised about 1200 seats...I would estimate that it was about 2/3 full.  Well done ladies!  It was good crowd too.  Lots of first timers that were catching on to the action pretty quickly.  Great cheering when we got the lead jammer and big hits.  It was a lot of fun. 

Lots of changes and improvements this year. 

New 2010 uniforms - very nice (picture borrowed from MIR website)

First, the new uniforms are perfect.  Powder blue with black and white trim - very sexy and feminine and a great contrast to the physicality.  They also make you look SO much more like a professional team.  The t-shirts at the beginning of season last year and the dark uniforms later in the season were good, but these uniforms are awesome.  Nice choice!  It really outclassed the other team with their tees with sharpie drawn numbers.

For comparison - Last years uniforms (pictures borrowed from MIR website)

The bout has been transformed this year.  Previously, the bouts were similar to hockey with three 20 minute periods, with a 20 minute break between each.  This year the MIR is going with two 30 minute halves with a 20 minute halftime.  I am not sure if this is more in line with other leagues or the reason for the change.  I don't know how I feel about this change...I guess it was nice to see the same amount of action but still leave about half an hour earlier.  I am sure that is nice for people with children.

Now that MIR isn't in a hockey type facility, they have improved the scoreboard...showing bout time, jam timer, and penalties.  Unfortunately, it didn't seem like the runners of the scoreboard were very good at using it...but once they do get the Jam timer and penalty timers figured out it should be a very nice addition.

Lots of smaller changes too.  There was also a band playing before and during halftime.  A color guard for the presentation of the flag and national, just a lot of little things that made the whole thing seem like more of a professional game.  It was nice.

There could still be some improvements - intros could be shorter, printed programs ran out very early, I never want to see a marriage proposal at a sporting event or concert again unless a player or band member is involved, angle of the seat could be greater (I like the 3/4 overhead view), and a few other minor things...but overall it was a great show.

This opening bout was against The Muddy River Nightmares from Clinton, IA.  I have seen the Mudders last year and several of the skaters participated in the March Mixer...they have some talent.  And also number 666 (sorry forgot your name) had one of the best mohawks I have seen in years.  That alone was worth the price of admission...and I am sad that my photo didn't turn out.  Mid Iowa Rollers has the main core of their team from last year.  Anna KillaKova (formerly Anna Killa Amazon), cTal faTAL, Fanny Firestarter, and Sin DeRolla are just a few of the returning roller girls. This should be a very good year for the Mid Iowa Rollers.  MIR started off a little slow on the first couple jams but once they got the lead they ran with it.  Everyone on Mid Iowa was skating hard and fast.  Big hits were made at opportune times, penalties were avoided.  The Mudders didn't have such luck with some penalties costing them pretty severely (if your jammer is in the box when cTal faTAL is jamming for MIR, you are pretty much done).  Great skate work by everyone involved - plus an awesome Apollo Ohno-esque jump by cTal faTAL over fallen opponents.  This is a game you need to check out.  Mid Iowa ended up winning the bout 151-89...but it was an exciting bout all the way through.  A special shout out to Day Trip Her #10...it was her first bout and she skated well even though she looked freaking exhausted by the end of a couple long jams.  Well played, keep it up.


Your next chance to check out the Mid Iowa Rollers in a home match is on May 15th at Hy-Vee Hall in the Bad Girls' Ball.

You can also check out a feature on them on Metro Woman this weekend (Sun Apr 11th @ 9:30am on ABC5, and Mediacom Channel 22 @ 10am Apr 11th and Tues 13th @ 3pm)


If you can't wait that long, you can check out the Des Moines Derby Dames this weekend at the Val Air Ballroom.  Des Moines has two roller derby teams, who knew?  I've known for a while, I just haven't had a chance to check out a DMDD yet...and will miss this weekend's bout too.  Sadness.

I am not sure what the difference is between leagues and teams but I am very happy that we have two options for roller derby.  I plan to check out as many bouts as I am able from both teams.

I Feel A Little Like a Pimp

I feel a little like a pimp - Hey look at these lovely ladies, here for your pleasure.    Season opener for the Mid-Iowa Rollers roller derby team is tomorrow night.  April 3rd, 7pm at Hy-Vee Hall.  I have nothing to do with the team, I just enjoy the sport and have a good time every time I go.  I think you will too.

I'd also like to mention that if you are free during the day on Saturday and looking for a way to get out and enjoy the sunshine; give lacrosse a try.  Valley is hosting a series of games at the Indian Hills Junior High School in Clive- games at Varsity games at 10am & 3pm with a JV match at 5pm.  Away teams take on each other at 12:30pm.  A whole day of LAX for free!  Might want to bring a camp chair.  Long time reader Lax Guy is big supporter and promoter of Lax in the Des Moines area (if you couldn't guess from his name).  Check out Lax Guy's blog for more info, speculation, and ideas about lax than you probably ever wanted to know...but it is all still interesting.  I am going to try to make it to a couple games myself as it is the last scheduled spring games for WDM.  Good luck to you and the Tigers tomorrow, LG!

Olympic Dreams Crushed

A few weeks ago radio KXNO announced that they were going to host a curling tournament. My brothers and I were excited as we've enjoyed curling for years but never had a chance to play (a set of stones is outrageously expensive).  We turned in the registration form for our team of "3 Bros and a Ho" and were told that over 20 teams had already registered.  There was a limit of 30 teams, so we were looking forward to a good, full tournament.  We went about lining up our cheering section and letting everyone know about the glory that they would witness in 3 Bros and a Ho.  Having never played, we considered ourselves to be the obvious favorites.  I am a firm believer that if you haven't done something you should just consider yourself awesome at it until proven otherwise.  Who told you that you needed oxygen to breath?  Some loser trying to make you feel small.

Curling Stones Photo borrowed from Felix @ Flickr

Unfortunately, KXNO canceled the tournament due to "lack of interest."  Lack of interest?  With over 2/3 of a full tournament within two days of the start of registration?  No, I think it was more lack of preparedness on KXNO's part.  I had a bad feeling when there was next to no information on their website.  Rules?  Nope.  Schedule besides "Friday & Saturday"? Nope.  Equipment supplied or needed to bring? Nope.  Any of the many other details that you might need to know about a tournament?  Nope.  Their info basically was a PDF sign up sheet that asked your name and your shirt size.  It didn't seem well organized even from my first glance...but I hoped because I would really like to play.  I am disappointed and my Olympic dreams were crushed before they even started.  Boo to you KXNO.

The one good thing about curling being canceled is that I can now make the season opener for the Mid Iowa Rollers on Saturday night.  I love me a good roller derby bout.

It's Derby Time - but not the Kentucky Kind

The Mid Iowa Rollers' roller derby season begins next weekend on March 13th.  I highly enjoyed all the bouts that I was able to make last year.  If you are in the DSM area, I suggest you check it out....a good time always had by all.  Skating girls, speed, violence...fun, fun, fun!  Can't wait to see the new team in action.

Saturday at the Roller Rink

Last Saturday was the final home bout for the Mid Iowa Rollers. The local Des Moines area female roller derby team. As I've said before, I had known about them for a while but this was only the second bout I have actually made it to. This home bout was much better produced than the last bout. The announcers and the technical aspects (like the score board) seemed to be run much better with much less lag and down time. It made a huge difference. Also they had better intermission entertainment in the form of the Twin City Terrors male roller derby team doing a short exhibition bout each break. It was interesting to see the difference between the two genders. Female bouts seem to be more about finesse and agility...being able to bypass opponents with nimble movements. Male bouts were all about brute force, smashing your way through opposing blockers. The female league definitely has their own violence, pushing, shoving and tripping but that is not what makes a big impression on me. I like the skating ability - dodging other players, squeezing through small openings in your opponents defenses, the timing of teamwork, and side stepping a big hit at the last second. I am always impressed by the skill it takes for some of these skaters. Male derby was OK but it seemed ham-fisted and blunt by comparison. This was a pretty good intermission activity, but I would like to see even more variation - I always thought having a band play during the intermission (or maybe afterward) would be a nice fit.

This bout was against the Muddy Water Derby Dolls from eastern Iowa. The bout itself was very one sided. Although down the first couple Jams. The Mid-Iowa Rollers quickly took the lead and never gave it back. All the MIRs did a great job on Saturday. cTAL-faTAL once again stood out as one of the most skilled skaters - fast with great side to side action. I love watching her sprint off the starting line. Rarely can an opponent jammer keep up. Krystallica (I believe was her name) was almost able to keep pace for the first half of the bout but started falling further and further behind. The MIR girls just looked better conditioned. Anna D Killa Amazon looked good again but was having some trouble getting past the pack, she was continually being tripped up by the Dolls and had difficulty scoring. She did however play some wonderful defence during her time in the pack and was able to block the opposing jammer with her long legs and stride. But it definitely was a team effort. Sin DeRolla looked really good and would have scored many points if she would have been able to stay out of the penalty box. Despite the penalty box she was able to recover and not let the other team score many (if any) points. Fanny Firestarter played with a lot of heart and attitude. She might not have been the fastest or the flashiest, but she went out and skated hard every single jam. Lolli Pop Ya seemed to be all over the track, scoring points, huge hits and blocks. Lolli really looked like she was determined this bout. She had a fantastic effort. The entire team looked good and it payed off in the end. I don't remember the exact score but I do remember that the Mid-Iowa Rollers won by 124 points. It was a total blowout, but I do have to hand it to the Muddy Water Derby Dolls for not giving up...although they were out of the competition, they still skated and hit hard.

Roller Derby draws a really mixed crowd. All ages, styles, and personalities gather at the rink. Exampled by the 70 year old grandmother bringing her 8 year old grandson...both of whom were really into the bout, and everything in between. I was a little shocked by the red headed girl who decided to wear body paint instead of a shirt. It is a testament to her beauty though that I didn't even notice that she was missing a shirt until the second time she walked by and the people in front of me made some kind of joke about it. Actually the body paint was very pretty...and intricate design of yellow and green with a little red and blue thrown in (the design reminded me of Frank Lloyd Wright mixed with a little Piet Mondrian and a little bit of Kandinsky). I'm not sure what the point was, it definitely got you some attention but I thought you were cute enough on your own that you didn't need it.

Great season girls. I can't wait till next year (season starts in March I believe).

Photos borrowed from MIR website.

Roll With It

Picture by Crystal Ryan (AKA Mid Iowa Roller cTAL faTAL) I really enjoy this photo.

So the other week I decided to check out the local roller derby team in person. The Mid Iowa Rollers. I wasn't sure what to expect. I knew a little bit about roller derby from back in the day when RollerGames was on TV (no gators here though), and a little more from (much more recently) from the A&E show Roller Girls. I was excited but I tried not to get my hopes up too high because I was worried that it was going to suck.

It did not suck. It wasn't the best thing that I had ever seen but it was a very entertaining evening. I would definitely recommend attending their next game (actually I learned they are call 'Bouts').

We arrived a little late due to previous engagements running longer than planned, we arrived midway through the first period (it is similar to hockey in that it has 3 periods). Unfortunately, this meant that we missed the introductions and the explanation of the rules. I remembered enough to explain the gist to my friend but even then it was a little confusing in the beginning. Ten people skating and pushing and pulling their way around the track with seemingly weird and nonsensical points beings scored. By the end of the second period, I was able to follow the action pretty accurately and by the end of the game I understood it all except for some of the penalties.

Here is what I understand:

• 3 Periods of 20 minutes each.



• Each period consists of multiple Jams.



• A Jam is basically like a play in football, its when all the action takes place - a Jam lasts 2 minutes or until it is called off by the lead Jammer.



• Each team consists of four Blockers (the Pack) and one Jammer.



• Jammer is identified with a star on her helmet.



• One blocker for each team is a Pivot - identified by the striped helmet cover.



• Pivots are at the front of the pack and set the pace of the pack while also acting as blockers.



• Blockers try to block the Jammer from the other team while assisting their own Jammer through the Pack.



• Jammers start each Jam 20 feet behind the Pack of Blockers.



• Jammers must make their way through the Pack (get past all the opposing team's Blockers).



• The first Jammer to make it past the Pack legitamately (no penalties) becomes Lead Jammer - they now have the ability to stop the Jam before the two minute mark (if they want).



• Jammers now sprint around the track and can score by lapping the opposing teams blockers (passing them a second time).



• Jammers can call off the Jam early for many reasons like - they fall and the other team is going to score more points, to keep the other team from scoring, they are tired, they don't think they will get around the track again (save energy).

All and all, it is a quick and highly entertaining game.

Here is a nice graphic that I borrowed from the San Diego Union Tribune, that illustrates some of the scoring rules.

I made it to the bout about midway through the first period. It did not look good. The Mid Iowa Rollers were losing bad (like 21 to 56). cTAL faTAL and Anna D. Killa Amazon however started a string of amazing jams. cTAL was fast and nimble and able to weave through the pack much faster and cleaner than the opposing teams jammer. I am pretty sure she scored a couple grand slams while the opposing team scored next to nothing. cTAL would squeeze through the smallest spaces between blockers and several times looked like she was off-balance and barely on one wheel, but she always made some amazing saves and never lost her footing, continually speeding along the track. Killa Amazon looks about 10 feet tall on skates (I'm sure it's only about 6'6" but she towers over the competition). Her natural stride length quickly outpaced the other jammer and the blockers alike. She looked like a gazelle when she skated - in a good way, naturally long, thin, graceful legs.

The rest of the Mid Iowa Jammers held their own and the team started making ground. However, ICT Roller Girls seemed to have a commanding lead that MIR couldn't overcome. Mid Iowa didn't give up and the crowd was really getting into it. Finally, with very little time left in the third and final period...maybe a minute and a half, the Mid Iowa Rollers were able to grab the lead by a few points. It was an incredible effort by all involved...they just had to hold on for one last jam. This is exactly what you want in any sporting match - a long fought close game that comes down to the final seconds. The Mid Iowa Rollers were able to fend off ICT Rollergirls for that last jam to win the bout. A great finish to a well played bout.

Here is some video from the bout that I attended (not taken by me, I don't own a video camera). It doesn't really capture the fun though.

A few things that could be improved.

• Standard Numbers - I liked that everyone had nicknames and such but I found the non-standard numbers on the jerseys hard to follow. They have numbers like 24/7, 26.2, Infinity+1 (the infinity is a sideways 8), and #FU. Yes they are funny but I found that it made it seem a little amateurish.



• Intermissions - Better entertainment during the intermissions. Just playing music or trying to get the crowd to do the Time Warp quickly led to boredom and restlessness.



• Maybe a little more interaction between the skaters and the crowd. They might have had more of this during the introductions at the beginning of the game but I missed it...so I can't say for sure till I make it on time.
  

I would suggest everyone show up at the next bout - Aug 22 at Bucs arena. Obviously you can't use Rock Gone Wild as an excuse...and you know you don't really want to go see Kelly Clarkson, so go see some weird/cool chicks roller derbying. I think you will have a good time. I'm definitely going again. General Admission tickets are $10 (these are the seats outside the hockey glass in Bucs arena). Floor tickets are $15 (basically On-Ice folding chairs). I've only sat in GA but I think you can actually see the action and understand what is happening a little bit better from the slightly elevated position, but you don't have the advantage of maybe having an out of control roller girl falling in your lap.

Hope to see you there.