Bay Area Derby Bout Recaps

Bay Area Juggernaut rolls over Tucson, 96-39

noreply@blogger.com (South Bay Fan) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:32:00 +0000

Saturday, May 31st was a hot day in Tucson with the temperature over one hundred, to the residents of Tucson it was just another day. But for the fans of Roller Derby who had come from California, Nevada, New Mexico and across Arizona to meet at 7pm at Tucson's BladeWorld, it was only just starting to warm up. California's hottest team, the Bay Area Derby Girls (#10), had come to town to take on the country's sixth ranked team, Tucson Roller Derby's Saddletramps.

After team introductions Sloppy Flo was given a trophy for scoring over thousand points in her career at Tucson. After the national anthem both teams form up with their strongest lineups: For the Bay Area, Sassy Slayher, Pia Mess, Liza Machete and Taxi Scab with Kitt Turbo jamming. For Tucson, Deadlock Doe, Carrie Guns, Tumbleweed and Sami Automatic with Sloppy Flo jamming. The jam set the pattern of the game, as Bay Area's quicker jammers and defensive blocking strategy kept Tucson off balance all night.

What follows is a blow by blow description of the first jam. The first whistle blows and Bay Area and Tucson blockers matched up at a leisurely pace. At second whistle Kitt Turbo explodes off the jammer line and gets a stroke lead over Sloppy Flo. Bay Area blockers tie up Tucson blockers and Kitt is by the first two in turn 2 and stroking hard down the back stretch while Sassy and Pia are trying to seal Doe and Carrie to the inside. Meanwhile Taxi and Machete have switched from offense to defense and Machete is able to hip check Flo, knocking her out of bounds. At the front of the pack, in Turn 3 Kitt takes to the outside, but Doe sends Sassy toward Kitt, who Kitt has to dodge, that gives Doe just enough time to line up Kitt in her sights and take her shot. Doe sends a shoulder into Kitt that Kitt is just barely able to parry, but it takes her out of bounds. As Doe's momentum carries her into the penalty box, Carrie slides in front of the pack in Turn 4 with Pia shadowing her. Meanwhile Flo reenters the track and heads for Turn 3, where Taxi crashes into her from hip to helmet. Amazingly Flo stays on her skates, but the collision leaves Flo out of bounds and at the back of the pack. Kitt puts the peddle to the metal hard and flies down the back stretch. Pia gets inside of Carrie and hip checks her in Turn 1; Kitt is free and clear and under a full head of steam. Flo puts on a burst of speed and flies through the strung out pack as Bay Area blockers whiff their blocks through Turns 1 and 2. Sassy forces Flo to the outside, but has to give up in Turn 3 because of the 20 foot rule. By the time Flo gets free Kitt Turbo has a half lap lead and lead jammer status. The blockers slow and reform the pack, Deadlock Doe moves to the head of the pack. But it's only for a couple of seconds as Kitt approaches. Machete and Taxi make sure Sami is out of position as Kitt slashes for the inside of Turn 1, Tumbleweed cuts to the inside at Turn 2 and almost catches Kitt who bounces to the outside. Carrie just beats Kitt to outside and Kitt is stuck behind a wall of Tumbleweed and Carrie as they travel to Turn 3. Taxi gets inside of Tumbleweed and pushes the entire wall off the inside line. Kitt follows Taxi around Turns 3 and 4 passing Tumbleweed and then Carrie in the back stretch where she hits her hips ending the jam. Sloppy Flo is a quarter of a lap behind and never had a chance. The whole jam took only 42 seconds.

The game continued in this vein. There were no great swings, no dramtic comebacks just a steadily growing lead from beginning to end. Sometimes the lead slowed and sometimes it quicken, but the winner of the game was never in doubt. Of the 36 jams in the game the Bay Area won 20, tied 10 and lost 6. The Bay Area held Tucson scoreless in 26 jams.

But it was not as though Tucson did not have their chances. In fact the Bay Area gave Tucson lots of chances, but Tucson failed to convert them. The Bay Area had skaters in the penalty box in 33 of the 36 jams. Tucson held a blocker advantage of one or two blockers in 24 of the game's jams. In those 24 jams the Bay Area outscored Tucson 71-31. In the 8 jams with even number of blockers the Bay Area won 15-8. And in the 4 jams in which the Bay Area held the blocker advantage, 10-0. Tucson seemed not to know what to do when they held a blocker advantage, the Bay Area blockers, when down skaters, skated with a plan and purpose.

The game was not without dangers to it's skaters as well. In the second lap of the second jam Sassy Slayher gets tangled up with Tucson's jammer, Two-Bit Ore, and is sent head first into floor. The jam is called. Fortunately Sassy gets up and makes it to her bench, where she takes an appreciated three jam break. And at the end of the seventeenth jam Taxi Scab sees Tucson's EMT for a bloody nose.

In other stats; Sloppy Flo had 5 points in the first half and was shutout in the second half. The Bay Area's rookie phenom jammer, Grr Lee Burly, scored 39 points, equal to Tucson's score, was the game's highest scorer. Interestingly penalties mirrored points, the score, 96-39 Bay Area, and penalties 95-41 Bay Area.

The next inter-league games for these teams are the Pikes Peak Derby Dames come to Tucson to take on the Saddletramps, June 28th. And the Bay Area Derby Girls go to Seattle to do battle with the Rat City Rollergirls, June 21st.

March 1st 2008 SF ShEvil Dead vs NorCal Killbillies

noreply@blogger.com (South Bay Fan) — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 20:58:00 +0000

Since everybody is trying out this jam by jam format started by Friction Vixxxen of the Texas Rollergirls, I decided to try it too, please let me know if you like it. I like it because it's easier to write.

Dead Skool

After a successful 2007 season, the NorCal Rollergirls were looking to challenge themselves and decided to invite the SF ShEvil Dead to town to try their luck. They expected to receive a schooling, they had no idea how right they were.

Period 1 – 15 minutes

Jam 1. A-Train breaks first and gets lead jammer, Coco puts on the gas to catch up. Sassy slows A-Train and Coco makes it through the pack first, followed by A-Train who calls off the jam just before Coco starts her second pass. Jam 4-4

Jam 2. Delia gets lead jammer, but slips and is knocked down by B'Stroyer. SJ MayLay comes out ahead and Delia calls off the jam. Jam 0-0. Score 4-4

Jam 3. Exquisite Corpse slides through the pack and is lead jammer, Slappa Ho is blocked all jam long by ShEvil and never gets through the pack. Exquisite makes two scoring passes for a double grand slam. Jam 10-0 ShEvil. Score 14-4 ShEvil

Jam 4. Coco quickly glides through the pack and is lead jammer as Sassy knocks down jammer Biggy Smallz. Coco quickly gets around the track and again zips through the pack, this time followed by Biggy. Coco out paces Biggy and ShEvil seals NorCal to the inside as Coco cruises by on the outside untouched. Coco calls off the jam as Biggy starts to score. Jam 9-2 ShEvil. Score 23-6 ShEvil

Jam 5. A-Train gets lead jammer over Getta Piece. A-Train scores a point before Dakota puts her out of bounds and A-Train calls off the jam. Jam 0-1 NorCal. Score 23-7 ShEvil

Jam 6. As Exquisite blashes her way through the pack and Kimfectious flattens NorCal jammer SJ MayLay, there's no lead jammer this time. With Kimfectious and Windigo mopping the floor with a steadily slowing SJ, Exquisite races around the track for nine points before time runs out. Jam 9-0 ShEvil. Score 32-7 ShEvil

Jam 7. Coco gets lead as Slappa Ho is held up in the pack by Sassy, who finally shows Slappa the floor. When Coco breaks through for her second scoring pass, Slappa takes Coco down and Anita Valium ensures Coco stays down. Terra Nuone takes two big falls and does not skate again after this jam. Jam 9-0 ShEvil. Score 41-7 ShEvil

Jam 8. A ShEvil pile up allows A-Train to sail through to lead jammer, with Delia after her. Moxxxie puts the booty on A-Train who calls off the jam, but Delia scores two. Jam 2-1 ShEvil. Score 43-8 ShEvil. Time soon runs out on the period.

Period 2 – 15 minutes; 5 minute break between quarters

Jam 9. While A-Train is in the box, Sassy gets lead jammer and makes a scoring pass before A-Train rolls out. Sassy makes another pass and calls it off. Jam 7-0 ShEvil. Score 50-8 ShEvil

Jam 10. Getta Piece takes the inside track and cruises to lead jammer, as Vee nails NorCal Jammer Luna Chick. Getta trips over a fallen NorCal blocker and calls off the jam. Jam 0-0. Score 50-8 ShEvil

Jam 11. As Exquisite goes outside, SJ MayLay goes inside and takes lead jammer. Exquisite catches up with SJ and enters the pack just before her. SJ gets two points and calls it, Exquisite gets knocked down but scores three. Jam 3-2 ShEvil. Score 53-10 ShEvil

Jam 12. Vee's jam. 1st Lap: Vee kills jammer Biggy Smallz; Moxxxie gets lead jammer. 2nd Lap: Vee kills Biggy again. 3rd Lap: Vee kills Biggy again. 4th Lap: Biggy stays put, Moxxxie scores a grand slam, then Slappa Ho tackles Moxxxie to stop her. Jam 5-0 ShEvil. Score 58-10 ShEvil

Jam 13. Sassy levels A-Train and Coco gets lead. A-Train escapes the pack and Coco cruises through the first pass and comes around for a second. A-Train starts to score, so Coco calls it off. Jam 4-3 ShEvil. Score 62-13 ShEvil

Jam 14. Exquisite gets through the pack first, without taking lead jammer status. Luna pushs Moxxxie out of the way to get lead jammer. Exquisite flys around the pack and passes Luna who calls off the jam. Jam 5-0 ShEvil. Score 67-13 ShEvil

Jam 15. Exquisite starts the jam in the box, but Vee harasses SJ and finally takes her out. SJ gets lead jammer, but is unable to clear the pack. Exquisite enters the jam and SJ calls it off. Jam 0-0. Score 67-13 ShEvil

Jam 16. Jammer Biggy Smallz is taken out by Dakota Kid and Coco gets lead jammer. Delia decks Biggy as Coco goes through the pack. Vee gives Biggy the “eye” and she backs off, she works up the courage to try and pass Vee and is again decked byVee. B'Stroyer takes out Coco. Jam 8-0 ShEvil. Score 75-13 ShEvil

End of Half – Half time activities

Period 3 – 15 minutes

Jam 17. Exquisite breaks first, but no lead. A-Train gets lead jammer and calls off the jam before Exquisite can score points. Jam 0-0. Score 75-13 ShEvil

Jam 18. Beautiful blocking puts Coco into lead jammer. Vee decks Biggy and Coco gets her grand slam. Again Vee decks Biggy and Coco gets her second grand slam as time runs out. The hitting picks up as Kimfectious takes out SJ MayLay and B'Stroyer takes out Kimfectious. Jam 10-0 ShEvil. Score 85-13 ShEvil

Jam 19. Miss Moxxxie weaves through the pack and is lead jammer. As NorCal battles successfully to get SJ MayLay through the pack, Moxxxie sweeps through and ends the jam. Jam 4-0 ShEvil. Score 89-13 ShEvil

Jam 20. Death Jam. A false start by Delia gives Luna a big lead, but Vee knocks down Luna and it's even. NorCal blockers stop Delia from advancing and Vee does the same to Luna. This goes on for the full two minutes, neither jammer is able to break out of the pack. Jam 0-0. Score 89-13 ShEvil

Jam 21. With Luna chick in the penalty box, Exquisite gets lead and six points before B'Stroyer forces her out of bounds. Jam 6-0. ShEvil Score 95-13 ShEvil

Jam 22. Coco gets knocked into the wall by Violet Crush as A-Train breaks first, but doesn't take lead jammer. Kimfectious and Coco get tangled up and A-Train goes through for a grand slam. NorCal blockers prevent Coco from getting through and is taken down by B'Stroyer. Sassy nails Slappa Ho, freeing Coco to get lead and call the jam off. Not before A-Train scores three more points. Jam 0-8 NorCal. Score 95-21 ShEvil

Jam 23. Getta breaks first, but no lead jammer as Vee pins Biggy Samllz. Getta has no problem sailing through the pack for a grand slam, but Biggy sneaks pass Vee getting lead jammer and calls off the jam. The ShEvil has broken NorCal's two digit scoreboard. Jam 5-0 ShEvil. Score 100-21 ShEvil

Jam 24. SJ cannot pass Sassy and Anita Valium takes out Exquisite. Exquisite takes her time picking her way through the pack for lead jammer, but time runs out. Jam 0-0. Score 100-21 ShEvil

Period 4 – 15 minutes
In this period ShEvil jams anyone who hasn't been a jammer yet.

Jam 25. Vee jams against NorCal's top jammer. At the jammer whistle blow, Vee jumps out in front of A-Train. Slappa Ho lines up Vee for a take down hit but misses and goes down as Vee dodges her and gets lead jammer. A-Train is right on her, but seems reluctant to try and pass as Vee gives her the eye. Sassy finally put the block on A-Train, so Vee can score some points. Vee muscles her way through the pack to collect four points, but A-Train scores too. Jam 4-2 ShEvil. Score 104-23 ShEvil

Jam 26. Dazzlynn against SJ with two NorCal blockers in the box. With a fast pack Dazzlynn fights pass B'Stroyer for lead jammer and Motley levels SJ. Dazzlynn scores three points before time runs out. Jam 3-0 ShEvil. Score 107-23 ShEvil

Jam 27. Windigo versus Luna Chick. Windigo squeezes through the pack first and is lead jammer. Sassy puts Luna on the floor twice. Windigo makes it through the pack, but is pulled down. Jam 3-0 ShEvil. Score 110-23 ShEvil

Jam 28. Vee settles into her #4 spot and A-Train doesn't dare try to pass her. Finally A-Train tries to make her way around Vee but gets nailed. A-Train gives up trying to pass Vee and blocks Delia. Both jammers enter the pack and both are knocked out of bounds. Jam 4-3 ShEvil. Score 114-26 ShEvil

Jam 29. Koo-Jo takes out Kimfectious, who is back up quickly. Kim is then knocked into the wall by jammer SJ MayLay who gets lead jammer. Kim goes down a third time and again she back up quickly. Dazzlynn holds off SJ who calls off the jam when Kim passes her. Jam 0-0. Score 114-26 ShEvil

Jam 30. Sassy puts on the jets and makes it through the pack first, but does not get lead. Vee goes to work on Luna and Luna is sent to the box. Sassy scores 12 before time runs out. Jam 12-0 ShEvil. Score 126-26 ShEvil

Jam 31. With Sassy in the box for accumulated minors with only 2:39 left in the game leaving A-Train to jam alone. Against a fast pack she works her way to the front and just before she can break the pack Exquisite takes her out. By the time A-Train gets lead jammer, Sassy is out of the box and tearing up the track. A-Train score 2 and calls it off. Jam 0-2 NorCal. Score 126-28 ShEvil

Jam 32. With the last second ticking away SJ and Moxxxie line up. Moxxxie puts SJ on her back before the first turn and is sent to the penalty box as time runs out. ShEvil wins! Jam 0-0. Final Score 126-28 ShEvil

MVP of the Game
Has to go to Killer Vee, who's killer blocking killed the Killbillies. When she was on the track NorCal jammers just stopped trying to pass her. No mas! No mas!

To Be Recognized
A-Train was clearly the best skater for NorCal. Miss Moxxxie and Motley Cruz had an excellent game too.

Rookie of the Game
Exquisite Corpse, in only her second bout, was notable for her jamming and blocking.

Most Selfless Skater
Sassy Slayher, as she always put herself in the toughest jams.

November 3, 2007, SF ShEvil Dead vs. Oakland Outlaws

noreply@blogger.com (South Bay Fan) — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 04:30:00 +0000

The Last Battle

The last bout of the regular season featured the undefeated Richmond Wrecking Belles against the newly replenished Oakland Outlaws. The 2007 season has been especially hard on the Outlaws, oh so different when the season started, when bets were that it would be the Outlaws that would go undefeated. The powerful jammer corp of Evil Red, Injure Rogers and Kitt Turbo were some of the Bay Area Derby Girls best jammers and it's best blockers too, Molly Mayhem, Lemmy Chokeya and Taxi Scab. The East Bay bandits looked for sure to steal the Championship. But the gang from Oakland were bought low by one injury after another and absents. First, all-stars Evil Red and Molly Mayhem, both who skated at Dust Devil, drifted away and with injuries to all-stars Injure Rogers and Taxi Scab, the Outlaws were barely able to field a team against the ShEvil Dead in May's Monster Mayhem, and were crushed 133 to 46. In June, the Outlaws got back veterans Taxi Scab and Injure Rogers from the injury list, but blockers Ghengis Blonde, Rye It Girl and Swoozie Hurtz were either injured or absent and the Wrecking Belles won handily 86-64. Woe to the Outlaws who went into the summer break 0-2.

The Richmond Wrecking Belles have definitely fared better, their season has been one of success. At the beginning of the season the new expansion team fielded a lot of rookies and a small number of veterans to show them how it's done. Perhaps the best captained and coached of the Bay Area Derby Girl Teams, the Belles have bought their largely rookie team to the top of the league. And many Richmond skaters who started the year as rookies are now on the B.A.D. Girl all-star team: Lusty Malice, Diane Rott, La Femme Nikilla and Demanda Riot; making the wrecking crew from Richmond a team of all-stars.

But Kitt Turbo, captain of Outlaws, never gives up because she knows there's aways a way to win. After the summer break, gaining the addition of just one blocker, Ivanna Decker, the Outlaws pulled off the steal of the season, a 66-47 upset win over the San Francisco ShEvil Dead in September. The Outlaws were flying high. And then, they crashed, or more appropriately Kitt Turbo crashed and broke her ankle. That, and the relocation of Injure Rogers to Seattle and the once feared Outlaw offense was completely destroyed. An offense that Bay Area fans never got to see go into action. O' the pity! What was left of an offense for Oakland; a fourth string jammer and a couple of pivots.

It is said that the cruelest thing you can give a doomed man is hope, and that's just what the Oakland Outlaws got. On schedule, the Bay Area Derby Girls graduated their Rinky Dinks, rollergirls in training, sixteen girls, the largest class ever for the girls by the bay, and they were drafted into their teams. The Outlaws took eight. For the first time since the beginning of the year pictures, the Outlaws had a full roster. Co-Captain Taxi Scab was gaiety; Kitt Turbo, megalomaniacal. Before she had a gang, now she has an army, and she's goin' to take over the world! Starting with the Richmond Wrecking Belles. For the cynical of you out there, Kitt broke her ankle after graduation.

November 3rd, Battle Over the Bay, the last season game. Two teams in ironically the exact reversed positions that they started the season in. The powerful Richmond Wrecking Belles, undefeated, the best jammers and blockers in the league. The Oakland Outlaws, full of rookies in their first bout and a handful of veterans. The Belles wear yellow tops and blue bottoms and they came out in their snake line for introductions and lined up in front of their bench on a knee to welcome their opponents. The introduction of the Outlaws was led by Kitt Turbo, on crutches, who half way down the track threw them away and begin to hop down track. The rest of the Outlaws struggled to keep up with her, “If I can hop faster than you can skate, you're not skating fast enough.” Oakland's uniform is a black pin-stripped minidress.

The first jam pitted Belles' rookie all-star, La Femme Nikilla, against emergency jammer, pivot Polly Pure Dread. The Richmond blockers are pivot Lusty Malice, Diane Rott, Diva Negativa and Demanda Riot, basically an all-star lineup, but strangely not the captain Liza Machete, who usually skates every jam she can, perhaps hubris. The Outlaws put the same old lineup they put up in every jam they can, pivot Lemmy Choke'Ya, Deadly Nightshade, Ivanna Decker and Taxi Scab. If they weren't veterans at the start of this season they sure were now. The jam started and Nikilla got to the turn 1 ahead of Polly, but Polly put on a burst of speed and got inside of Nikilla in turn 2, a bump by Polly put Nikilla out of bounds. Polly raced ahead, but Diva floored her in turn 3 and Nikilla roared by. Then Taxi went on a power charge chasing Nikilla though the pack like a super-sized pinball smashing Richmond blockers right, left, right, finally riding Nikilla out of bounds. Polly slipped though the hole that Taxi's charge created, only being stopped by Richmond's last blocker Diane Rott. A trip by Polly got her passed Rott, we'll assume that was unintentional, and Polly was lead jammer. By the time Nikilla had freed herself from Taxi, Polly had a half lap lead. The pack was organizing itself when Polly drove in, she used Taxi to get pass the Demanda, but Diva floored her again in turn 3. Polly got up quickly and a raced ahead of her blockers, but ran straight into Lusty and Rott. With Nikilla closing the gap, Polly got inside of Lusty on the turn and called the jam off before Nikilla could score. Oakland has started well, a 3-0 lead.

Richmond responded to this setback by bring in the big girls. Out went Rott and Diva and in came Nancy Drew Blood and captain of the Belles, 2006's most feared and dirtiest player, Liza Machete. Oakland's blocker lineup was unchanged except Taxi starts in the box a result of her charge. Oakland's jammer was Pandamonium. Everybody calls her “Panda”, because she just loves those little bears. Panda was now Oakland's most experienced jammer. This was probably the first time in Panda's young life that she was called “the most experienced” at anything, opposing her is Shelia E.R. another Richmond rookie. Shelia has worked hard this season and is another success story for the Richmond Wrecking Belles, as she has gotten better with every bout. Although slight of built and not fastest jammer she has the league best blockers in front of her and she has learned how to use them to her advantage. Shelia wins the race to the first turn and takes an inside path through the pack and becomes lead jammer. Panda runs into a wall of Richmond yellow, Machete, Nancy and Demanda, who helps Panda find the floor. Shelia circles quickly makes her scoring pass through the pack only fouling once and picking up four points. Panda is making no progress against the Richmond blockers who don't have to deal with Taxi. Shelia starts off to make her second pass through the pack, she passes Panda, who speeds up and tries and put a block on Shelia but falls large and takes her out. Shelia calls off the jam from her knees. Five points for the Belles, zero for Oakland. The Belles are back in charge.

In the third jam, Oakland subs in Polly and Whiskey Go Go for Nightshade and Decker, Richmond subs Rott for Lusty. Oakland sends out their best hope, newly graduated jammer Lil' Sam Awry, against her stands the league's super jammer Richmond's Racey Lane. Racey is 2006's MVP and has been carrying the load for Richmond all season, she has an overwhelming plus/minus against the leagues jammers of +122, the rest of the Richmond jammers combined have a plus/minus of -18. Basically, if you skate with Racey you win, you skate against Racey you lose. Both jammers took off at the second whistle apparently evenly matched in speed, but Racey steps in front in turn 1 and flies down the straight away with Lil' Sam close behind. In the fast moving pack Racey moves to the outside, but Lil' Sam stays inside and with the help of a forearm comes out of the pack first. Racey puts on a burst of speed and passes Oakland pivot Lemmy ChokeYa' from out of bounds to get out of the pack; ladies and gentlemen we have our first two minute jam. Racey catches and passes Lil' Sam in turn 3 and opens up a lead that increases with every turn. Racey begins to pick her through the pack, but Oakland is able to slow her down as every Oakland blocker gets a hit on her as she passes them. When Taxi elbows Racey out of bounds the Oakland's blockers are able to get back in front of her. It all came together in turn 1 or should I say everybody collided in turn 1, Racey gets knocked inside and before she can react she's coming out in turn 2, the refs whistle her for cutting the track and passing multiple blockers. That left Lil' Sam as the lone jammer and she came up on the pack fast for Oakland had slowed the pack to a crawl. But Richmond showed it mettle, being a blocker down as Nancy was eariler sent to the box. Lil' Sam was simply not able to make it around Demanda, each time she tried Demanda polished the floor with her. By the third time Lil' Sam was picking herself up off the floor time had mercifully run out. But she does not to go unrewarded, Oakland ties the score 9-9.

Richmond makes a line change; Lusty, Roxie the Riveter, in her first jam of the game, Diva, and captain Liza Machete, as always. Oakland subs Decker for Whiskey, and Taxi is the bin for the sins of the previous jam. Panda will start the jam alone as Racey is still in the box. Early in the jam Polly picks up her fourth minor and now it's four Richmond blockers to Oakland's two. Roxie knocks down Panda twice as Racey is released from the penalty and quickly gets lead jammer. She zooms through the pack for the grand slam and as she continues for another pass, Panda gets frustrated and commits her fourth minor as Taxi and Polly reenter the jam. But Racey's second scoring pass she is not as successful as the first and only picks up two points before time runs out. It's a 7-0 score for Racey; which is just about normal for her.

Richmond has the momentum now and for the rest of the jams of first half they allow the Outlaws to score in only two other jams. Lil' Sam Awry takes three in a jam with Shelia E.R. who started in the box and Sam again stealing two points in a jam with Racey , but with Machete and Demanda sitting in the penalty. Richmond has slowly built their lead with superior jamming and blocking to 19 points by the end of the half, it's 33 to 14. It looks bleak for Oakland fans.

For half time entertainment the San Jose crowd was treated the antics of San Francisco's dance troop the Devil-Ettes a mix of sixties rock and Go-Go dances. As bad as situation is for the Outlaws it could have been a lot worse, Oakland will have to depend on their defense: to limited the damage from Racey, shut down the other jammers, stay out of the penalty box and have a little luck for the second half. For Richmond it's easy, another first half, please. The Bay Area Derby Girls are a durable bunch. Oakland blockers Taxi Scab and Lemmy ChokeYa skated every jam but one and Ivanna Decker and Richmond captain Liza Machete skated every jam but two, Demanda Riot and Lusty Malice skated 11 of the 14 jams. It's time for the second half to begin and everybody is ready to do it again, if not more.

The second half starts with Oakland's Decker and Richmond's jammer Shelia in the box. Lusty, Rott, Demanda and Machete are blocking for the Belles. Lemmy, Nightshade, and Taxi blocking with Polly jamming for the Outlaws. Polly makes a very straight forward outside run around the pack with Oakland blockers sealing the Richmond blockers on the inside. When pivot Lusty misses her block, Polly is lead jammer. On her scoring pass Polly got a little lucky and was to slice through the pack, but not before Decker and Shelia were released from the box, still four valuable points though. Shelia gets hit from every Outlaw until Nightshade finally nails her, but Polly just can't get around Demanda as time runs out on the jam, it's an 8-0 jam for Oakland.

In the next jam Richmond subs Roxie for Demanda and Rott goes the penalty box. Panda is the only change for Oakland and Racey for Richmond. The pack speed increases for Racey, who has trouble getting through the pack as Richmond is a blocker short, Taxi holds her up for awhile but Racey eludes her, only to get stuck behind Nightshade and Lemmy, who put her out of bounds. Meanwhile Taxi puts a block on Machete and Panda slips by and charges for her blockers, Decker and Nightshade, who let her pass and Panda is lead jammer. Panda beats Racey to lead jammer, this has never happenend before! Then Racey gets her fourth minor and is sent to the box, Panda is alone. Rott charges into the pack from the penalty and immediately starts harassing Panda. It's a long jam for Panda, for every Richmond blocker she passes another passes her and just as she tries to exit the pack, Machete knocks her out of bounds, but the jam is still 4-0 Oakland.

Richmond's lead was down to seven points and their super jammer was in the penalty, they rotated their lineup again, Nancy, Demanda, Diva and of course Machete. Oakland's only change has Lemmy in the box and calls Lil' Sam Awry to the jammer line, who hasn't done that badly against Racey, things looking up for the Outlaws. But it proves to be an illusion, as Lil' Sam runs into in wall yellow and Demanda puts Lil' Sam on the floor as Racey roars out the penalty box to take lead jammer on an inside path. She scoots around the track and takes another inside path and collects three points, she continues around the track for another scoring pass. A feint and a cut and this time it's a grand slam but she doesn't stop, she wants more. Lemmy comes in from the penalty and now there's a wall of black that Racey can't get around, so she calls it off but not before collecting another two points. A 10-0 jam for Racey and the Outlaws hopes are dealt a big setback.

In the next three jams Richmond puts even more distance between them and Oakland as Nikilla, Shelia and Racey add 8 points to Oakland's 1 point, and the score is 51 to 27. And it's at this point that Oakland's luck turns. Lil' Sam Awry has a successful jam against Nilkilla as Oakland's blockers seal Richmond to the inside again. The next jam proves to be a perfect penalty storm for Richmond as first Demanda, then Machete, then Diva and finally Shelia all take their turn in the penalty box. Polly picks up six points. With Shelia and Diva in the box for Richmond and Decker for Oakland, Panda comes to the line for Oakland, who hasn't changed their lineup from the previous jam of Lemmy, Nightshade and Taxi. Richmond doesn't change their lineup either, it's three versus three blockers. The pack is fast, as Panda enters the rear of the pack but Machete eludes Taxi and takes out Panda with a shoulder-leg sweep combo in turn 2. Machete is called for the major, but continue to skate as the penalty box is already full. Machete joins Lusty and Demanda to form a wall of yellow in front of the Oakland blockers. But walls are made to be knocked down. And Lemmy ChokeYa' skates up to the outside of Machete and blindsides her, the whole Richmond wall goes down in a chain reaction, Panda skates by to become lead jammer, Oakland's on a roll. As Shelia and Diva come out of the penalty box, Lusty and Machete go in. Without their captain or their pivot the Richmond blockers are a little disorganized, Lemmy takes out Shelia on the back straight away, but Shelia's tough and one take out doesn't slow her down. She gets up and whizzes around the track trying to pass blockers on the outside. In turn 1 Nightshade makes a classic jammer take out of her. Girl, you can not pass these Oakland blockers without blocker support, you're just target practice. In the confusion Panda easily gets through the pack for a grand slam, but time runs out just before she can start a second pass.

It's a nine point game now. The fifteen point Oakland comeback has happened during jams that Racey Lane has not jammed. As Racey toes the line, Richmond is still short Lusty and Machete, but they'll be back soon. Nancy Drew Blood and Demanda Riot are the Richmond blockers. Oakland has the same lineup as before except Lemmy is getting a well-deserved rest in the penalty box and Lil' Sam Awry is the jammer. Oakland needs to dodge a bullet. When the second whistle blows it's Lil' Sam that wins the race to turn 1. The pack is fast as always when Racey jams and the two jammers race down the straight and into turn 3, in turn 4 they catch the pack. Lil' Sam cuts inside where Demanda makes sure she steps out of bounds to get around her. Racey breaks to the outside heads up the straight. In turn 2 Taxi is waiting for Racey and escorts her out of bounds. Taxi and Nightshade keep Racey out of bounds or behind them for a full lap before Racey finally slips by and catches up to Lil' Sam, it's another two minute jam. Meanwhile Lusty enters the pack and a lap later Machete is in too, the Belles are at full strength. Lil' Sam delays Racey until Lemmy ChokeYa' can rejoined the pack, now the Outlaws are at full strength as well. The battle really heats up now as Machete decks Decker so hard she almost ends up standing on her head. As Lil' Sam heads to the inside, Racey breaks for the outside. Lemmy and Nightshade team up to put Racey on the floor as Demanda and Lusty play pong with Lil' Sam while Machete and Taxi battle for the lead of the pack. The result is a draw, nobody gains. As the pack pulls itself together Racey commits her fourth minor and is sent to the box. Richmond forms a wall and Lil' Sam is going nowhere as time runs out. The score of this little jam, 3-2 Oakland. Oakland has dodged their bullet.

This is it. It's 53-45 Richmond, there's ten minutes left in the game, just enough time for Oakland to pull it out the greatest upset since the 2006 Championship, except this would be greater. With Racey in the penalty box, Richmond subs Roxie for Demanda. Oakland subs rookie Lucky Roller for Nightshade and jams with Polly, but Taxi is in the penalty box. The jam starts off promisingly enough with Polly getting around Nancy and Roxie, but Machete forces Polly to cut the track to get around her and that sends Polly to the sin bin. The jam is called off and the jammers and pivots exchange helmet covers. Oakland has no more time they must win this jam. This pivotally important jam will be jammed by the pivots. The Richmond lineup is Roxie, Nancy, Machete and Lusty jams with Racey in the box. For Oakland, it's Decker and Lucky with Taxi and Polly in the box and Lemmy jamming. Oakland needs a long shot to pay off. When the whistle blows it doesn't look good for the Outlaws. Lusty is faster than Lemmy, Richmond just has too much experience on the track as Machete floors Lucky and Nancy just makes it impossible for Lemmy to get around her. While Lusty cuts the track to get around Decker, Taxi and Racey enter pack from the penalty box. Richmond now has a wall in front in Lemmy and Lusty has a half a lap lead. As Taxi tries to get into position to break up the wall, Machete puts Lemmy on the floor. Polly enters the pack and Oakland organizes a defense to stop Lusty, Oakland has shifted to damage control. Lusty gets pass all of Oakland's blockers except Taxi when Polly takes out Lusty. Lemmy and Decker get tangled up and go down trying to be get around Machete. The time runs out on the jam and so does Oakland's luck. Lusty scores 3-0 putting Richmond up by eleven with less than four minutes left.

Oakland knows it's over. Richmond goes for the slam-dunk, Nancy, Rott, Demanda and Machete with Nikilla jamming. Oakland's out of gas physically and morally, as Nightshade, Decker, Taxi and Jennacologist, who gets her first jam, Panda is jamming. Richmond does it's normal job of shutting down of Panda and Nikilla gets around Decker and Nightshade to get lead jammer. It's clear that Oakland no longer has a heart for this fight as Nikilla collects the grand slam and a point as time runs out. It's the last jam and Kitt Turbo puts in all the rookies in that had not skated yet, Jennacologist, Sinnocent, Flash Morganne, and Brick Shields for the experience of a real game jam. And what an experience they were going to get, Racey Lane is jamming unopposed as Panda sits in the penalty box. Liza Machete and Nancy Drew Blood sit down as Lusty and Cutthroat Cathy, who gets her first jam, line up. It's a display of showboat jamming as Racey flies by the rookies three times for the double grand slam. The bench calls to the rookies to block her, but this is too much for the rookies. “Block her? I can't even see her. How do you block a blur?” Oakland's veterans suck down water and shake their heads, “Kids, these days”. Racey bows to the cheering audience, she then calls off the jam and the game is over.

The score, 72 to 45, doesn't show what a hard fought match this was, or how close Oakland came to making a huge upset, but that's often the way things go. The Outlaws can be proud of their efforts and can look forward to next season, because you never know how things will turn out. Richmond will go on the Championship bout in December against the San Francisco ShEvil Dead. The Belles will be heavily favored. But so were ShEvil Dead in the 2006 Championship and the Oakland Outlaws pulled off the greatest comeback in league history. So you might just want the see what happens this year.

September 8, 2007

noreply@blogger.com (South Bay Fan) — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 20:48:00 +0000

NEW DIGS

Well, it's been a long time since B.ay A.rea D.erby fans were able to see their roller babes knock the bejesus out of each other. And thanks to the folks at the San Jose Civic Auditorium (SJCA), the B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls (BADG) can complete their season and hold their league championship in beautiful San Jose. The Civic Auditorium has two thousand seats—that's right real seats—over half of which are in a wonderful, amphitheatre balcony so a fan can see every inch of hot, fast, hard-hitting derby action with real bathrooms to boot! During, the first weekend of each month, the B.A.D. Girls’ three teams will be fighting it out until the league championship game on December 8th. On Saturday night, the SJCA featured the San Francisco ShEvil Dead against the Oakland Outlaws.

For the ShEvil Dead (1-1), a win tonight would secure a birth into the championship bout. For the 0-2 Oakland Outlaws, it's a must-win situation—a loss tonight would exclude them from the championship. The last time these two teams met the ShEvil Dead squashed the Outlaws 133-46 in an away bout, “Monster Mayhem,” at Davis, California on May 19th. But at that time, both the Outlaws' star jammer, Injure Rogers, and head coach of the entire league, Taxi Scab, were injured and unable to skate. Notably, last night's game was also Injure Rogers’ last game with the BADG. In her real life, she’s moving to Washington state later this month (September). We wish her all kinds of derby love. There’s a rumor she’ll be trying out for the Rat City Rollergirls (Seattle, WA) in November.

So, the big question of the night was whether the Outlaws would preserve their chances to become derby champs or would Sassy Slayher and her army of undead march on to the championship bout?

PERIOD ONE

Both teams started with their captains and star jammers, Miss Moxxxie #XOXO for the ShEvil Dead and Kitt Turbo #667 for the Outlaws. The first jam was scoreless as Miss Moxxxie made it through the pack first, but Kitt Turbo overtook her and the Dead captain thought better to called it off. In the second jam Windigo Jones scored two points for the ShEvil Dead as blocker Whisky Go Go of the Outlaws had a problem with her skates. But Outlaws came back the next jam as Kitt Turbo raced to three points with Sassy Slayher in the penalty box, taking a 3-2 lead. The lead didn't last long because number XOXO took lead jammer and three points from Outlaw jammer Pandamonium. Penalties began to plague the Dead over the next seven jams, and San Francisco was only able to score 4 points as Oakland built an 18-9 lead. Things were beginning to get out of control for the ShEvil when Miss Moxxxie went to the jammer line. And, boy, did she perform the biggest jam of the night. With Oakland captain Taxi Scab in the penalty box, Miss Moxxxie unleashed a ten-point jam, a double grand slam, putting the Dead in the lead by one point. The scoring went back and forth for the rest of the period as each team put together small runs until the time ran out leaving Oakland with a one point lead at 27-26 going into the half time break.

BREAK

Half time entertainment was provided by the Silicon Valley Rollergirls. This startup league is San Jose's local league (how very Silicon Valley: a startup), and is in the process of recruiting new members and raising funds. They divided into two teams (green and black) to compete in pillow fighting, jousting, tug-o-war, and a human pushcart race. I believe green won, but I spent half of the break in a beer line, so I can't say for sure. Now is a good time to shout out to our new announcers. For first-time rookies they were fantastic, and it's great to have a sound system good enough so they can be heard explaining the all the ins and outs of roller derby rules and strategy. I hope they announce all of the B.A.D. Girls’ bouts.

PERIOD TWO

The second half started out exactly as the first with Miss Moxxie calling off a zero-zero jam to stop Kitt Turbo from extending Oakland's lead. Then the next two jams the Outlaws Injure Rogers and Kitt Turbo skated a couple of 3-0 jams stretching Oakland's lead to 7 points by the end of the 22nd jam of the game. And then, in the next jam, Miss Moxxxie, with both Taxi Scab and Kitt Turbo in the box, put the ShEvil Dead into the lead with a 8-0 jam, leaving the score at 34-33, San Francisco to Oakland. In the first half of the game, the Dead hurt themselves with penalties but in the second half, they became fatal.

Over the next nine jams, the ShEvil Dead scored only one point as the Oakland Outlaws put 22 points to their favor. The penalty storm of the second half that hit SF was worse than the first round as they increasingly got called on majors. Killer Vee had a rare double major jam—a jam she started and after the first lap, was sent to the sin bin. But, after serving her time, she rejoined the jam, only to return after just half a lap of skating. Penalties by other skaters, including a very rare penalty made by Miss Moxxxie, doomed the Dead. Even a late heroic 8-0 play during the 33rd jam of the evening by San Francisco only narrowed the margin of the Outlaw triumph. In the 36th and final jam of the bout, Kitt Turbo’s silly side escaped and egged on a shoot-the-duck race with the opposing jammer. She had an especially large smile on her face as her Outlaws skated away with their first victory of the season, 66-47.

MVPs

Miss Moxxxie was the most effective jammer of the night for the ShEvil Dead, by far, racking up an impressive +27 point differential for her team and averaging 2.43 points per jam for the 14 jams of the entire bout she skated. It was clear that the Dead misses rookie jammer Jilly the Kid.

Kitt Turbo of the Outlaws made an impressive effort, becoming more effective as a jammer over the course of the game, increasing her points per jam from 1.38 in the first period to 2.56 points per jam in the second ending at a point differential of +19. But Oakland Captain, Taxi Scab, is the only skater to have skated in every jam in a bout this year, and this achievement has to be recognized. She rolled away with a hugely impressive +19 point differential for the entire game, as a blocker, and earned my vote for MVP of the bout.

LOOKING AHEAD

I consider this to be an upset victory for the Oakland Outlaws as they move their win-loss record to 1-2, simultaneously moving them into a tie for the for the championship game with the San Francisco ShEvil Dead, who's score is also 1-2 with this loss. The undefeated Richmond Wrecking Belles are the next bout for the Dead, who beat the ShEvil on March 3rd, 89-65. Captains Sassy Slayher and Miss Moxxxie are going to have a month to tune up their team if they hope to take on Richmond's Wrecking Belles at the next bout slated for October 5th.

May 19, 2007 Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (South Bay Fan) — Sun, 20 May 2007 05:49:00 +0000

Innovations and Monsters

Finding an appropriate venue for roller derby is no easy task, high occupancy rates and soaring rents of the Bay Area work against you. April 28th the next scheduled bout of the B.A.D. Girls between the SF ShEvil Dead and the debut of the new Oakland Outlaws was missed. Also the Denver Roller Dolls had to canceled their inter-league game that was planned for May 26th as well. The BADG was in a spot and needed a little help from their friends. Thanks to the Sac City Rollers the BADG had a venue and an opponent. The solution “Monster Mayhem!”. A double-header of roller derby, the Richmond Wrecking Belles would take on the Sac City Rollers (SCR) and a league game between the Oakland Outlaws and SF ShEvil Dead would be played May 19th. All just a short drive away in the college town of Davis, California. Because of the double-header all bouts would be two periods of 30 minutes.

The first bout of the double-header was the Richmond Wrecking Belles versus the Sac City Rollers. The SCR are one of Sacramento's rookie leagues, they've had a couple of exhibition bouts and were starting their first year of play for 2007 and were looking for somebody to play. The BADG decided that their all-star squad was not necessary and that the Richmond Wrecking Belles were available and ready. It was a relief for the BADG not to have to organize a bout, they just showed up in Davis, put on their skates and got ready to kick some butt. The Belles' lineup was thinned from their March 3rd bout, Racey Lane had been slowed down by a knee injury and wasn't 100%, Diane Rott was out with an injury and Diva Negativa couldn't make the trip. The SCR hold their bouts at the Davis Indoor Sports Center (DISC), it a Roller Hockey Rink similar to Dry Ice, newer, but no balconies.

With the bout about to start both teams fielded their best skaters: Kannonball Kim as pivot, then Sugarpop, Death Rae, Regulator S and Lil' Punk as jammer for the SCR. Nancy Drew Blood as pivot, then Lusty Malice, Mandi Festo, Liza Machete and Racey Lane as jammer for the Belles. The first three jams saw the Belles take lead jammer position and a slight lead 7-4. The next three jams saw the SCR with an opportunity to tie or take the lead, as they had lead jammer status for each of their jammers. But instead the Belles blockers were just too much for SCR and the Belles' lead widened to 16-9. The Belles then really put the hammer down on the SCR and shut them out for the next five jams, scoring 26 unanswered points. With score now 42 to 9 the shunned Rollers tried to regain some composure and began scoring some points, but the Belles continued their march on the Rollers scoring more than double what the Rollers were able to. At the end of the first half the score stood 55-15, the Belles had a 40 points lead to go into the final period.

When the teams returned to the track after the break the situation was for the SCR was grim to put it optimistically, but SCR had decided that no what they were going to go down fighting. SCR started the first jam in the second half with a new jammer, Death Rae. She had the good luck of starting the jam with the Belles jammer in the box, and was able to score 4 points and called the jam off before the Belles jammer was able pose a threat to score. But in the next jam the Belles responded with Racey Lane, and she put together a 8-2 jam. Next was a 4-4 tied as Purdy Girl and La Femme Nikilla battled it out. And on and on it went, first one side, and then the other, as Sac City and the Richmond Wrecking Belles traded points. By the end of the half, the Belles were only able to add an additional 6 points to their lead, the Rollers had fought an honorable fight. The final score of 99-54 Belles would not show the fight, toughness and never-say-die attitude that the Sac City Rollers showed their fans that night.

Bad Girl, Good Woman

There are two notable skaters that should be recognized, and they are the captains of the Richmond Wracking Belles. Liza Machete lived up or down to her reputation as 2006 Most Feared and Dirty Player. Liza was ejected from the bout in the 31st jam, the third jam before the end of the bout, for her third major, another high hit. Racey Lane wins my pick for MVP of the Bout. She had picked up a knee injury and when she jammed she struggled to make her laps, not the smooth, fast strides, she showed in the first bout of the season, but slow, jerky strides as she hobbled around the track. I told her at the end of the first half with her team well ahead that she should take the second half off and concentrate on healing her injured knee. But she came out in the second half and skated even harder. Later she told me that she used my advice to inspire her to skate as she did. Racey Lane, even an injured Racey Lane was still the highest scoring jammer of the bout. And for her grit and scoring skill Racey wins my admiration and exasperation.

April 21, 2007

noreply@blogger.com (South Bay Fan) — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 05:45:00 +0000

Bay Area Derby Girls vs Grave Danger of Rat City; a Recap

(First let me say that this is just my view as a statistician sitting at the scorers table and should not be taken as the absolute truth as to what happen, that's what video is for.)

The bout was held at Washington Mutual Theater which sits between SAFECO Field and Qwest Field in Seattle. The place holds between 3,300 and 7,000 depending on configuration and every seat seemed to be filled. The event was a double header and the Rat City Rollergirls set it up this way. Skaters sit inside the track. There are two thirty minute halves, first the Bay Area Derby Girls (BADG) vs Grave Danger (GD) play their half then after short comments by the team captains the Derby Liberation Front (DLF) vs Socket Wenches (SW) play their half. Then a half time show after which the second halves are played in the same order as the first.

In the warmup before the first half the BADG looked slower than GD and smaller. Rat City has swarms of volunteers and they can put on quite a show, Rat Bastard's bicycle was just great. Three announcers, 3 scorekeepers, 5 penalty trackers, 3 or 4 penalty refs, which the BADG kept very busy all night. John Diss and Mindiannapolis 500 were the guest refs. But strangely no outside pack refs, I guess Rat City doesn't want anything between the skaters and the crowd.

The first jam started out at a fast pace that was kept up though out the bout. The Seattle announcers were impressed by BADG's speed and blocking style, as BAGD skaters jumped out in front of the pack. But the jam ended 3-4 GD in what was to become the theme of the bout by the BADG, fast paced, hard, coordinated blocking and low scoring jams. The second jam Racey Lane called the jam off scoring 2-0 and Miss Moxxxie put together a 4-0 jam to putting the BADG ahead 9-4. But the lead did not hold as GD grabbed Lead Jammer 3 out of the next 4 jams and retook the lead 18-20. Miss Moxxie then uncorked a 8-0 jam that put BADG back in the lead 26-20. But again the next 2 jams GD got Lead Jammer and tied the score 34-34. Over the next 5 jams GD capitalized on BADG penalties and missed opportunities and took a 44-52 lead into half time over the BADG. At the captain's recap when Kit Turbo was asked what the BADG could do against GD she said “We're goin' kick their asses!” Brave words at the end of a 5 jam 10-18 run by GD.

The second head of the double header, Derby Liberation Front vs Socket Wenches, was not nearly as a competitive as the first. As DLF jumped out to a big lead early and kept it throughout the bout winning by over 90 points by the end. The half time show consisted of the Pathfinder Junior Derby. That's right, 8 to 10 years olds doing derby. It was charming, hilarious and a little scary. What are those kids knees going to be like when they're 15?

The second half started with Kitt Turbo in the penalty box for offenses committed in the first half, she was pretty surprised to be there. Not the best way to start the second half being 8 points behind. GD extended their lead to 10 points. This was the biggest lead they were ever going to have. During the half time break and second header half the BADG seem to have figure out what GD was doing and how to counter it. BADG was much more effective in the second half. In the first half GD won lead jammer 7 of the 15 jams, BADG only 4 of those times. In the second half BADG got lead jammer 11 of the 15 full jams, GD was only lead jammer once in the 2nd half. There were two incomplete jams, one was called off because of a hurt GD skater and the other was called off because of debris on the track, a BADG pad had been knocked off, that's right, the hitting was so intense that people's pads began to come apart. In the next jam Racey got lead jammer, 2 points and called it off, zero points for GD, and the BADG were on their way. The next two jams were amazing. With Killer and Machete in the box, Miss Moxxxie stepped up the line and in two minutes, with Sassy and Mandi, produced a 7-3 jam. Then Turbo with Killer and Machete in the box, again, obtained a 5-1 jam tying to score 60-60! When Killer and Machete were released from the box they moved like wild animals and just mowed down GD blockers releasing Moxxxie and Turbo to score their points as Sassy and Mandi held the GD jammers in check. These were the jams that turned the game, when GD should have been extending their lead they were instead, losing it, the Seattle crowd grew strangely quiet and announcers were incredulous. Although GD regained the lead the next jam, when Racey was sent to the box, it would be the last time GD held the lead. For last half of the 2nd half, 10 jams, BADG won lead jammer 8 times. The next jam BADG retook the lead 69-66 in a 5-0 jam. Two jams later, Turbo fought though the last of GD blockers to call off 0-4 GD jam and stop bleeding at 77-75 BADG, no one could imagine that those would be the last points GD would score that night. For the next 6 jams, BADG went on a 17-0 run as they slowly but deliberately buried GD. GD threw 6 different jammers at BADG in hope that someone would figure out how to get though the BADG defense, all were unsuccessful. As GD frustration grew their skaters made visits to the penalty box. Kitt Turbo skating in the last seconds of the last jam got no points, but won lead jammer. The bout was over 94-75 BADG. As BADG took their victory laps they received an applause of respect from the Seattle crowd.

Conclusions:
How did BADG beat GD? First was the speed. BADG blockers beat GD blockers to the front of the pack and BADG jammers beat GD jammers off the starting line almost every time. This put GD under pressure the whole time, giving GD blockers only BADG backs as targets for their blocks. And BADG jammer's speed meant that if GD blockers made one mistake BADG jammers were by them before they could react.

Next was pack formation skating. BADG kept a tight pack and seemed to be skating in a 2-2 formation, with Sassy and Mandi at the head of the pack and in the middle, Killer and Machete, forming a kind of box. If a GD skater entered the box it was like entering a Kill Zone, they could be hit from four different directions at once. If a GD jammer tried to go around the box the outside skaters of the box would force the jammer out of bounds, putting the jammer in a quandary. If they passed the box they got no points, if they fell back and reengaged they got no points. GD solution to this problem was to try to destroy the box. BADG speed protected the box, as GD was never able to get enough blockers into the box to fully destroy it.

Better preparation or coaching. I noticed this when BADG skaters left the penalty box. They all charged out of the box like fighter jets on an intercept mission, they knew exactly where they were going and what they were going to do when they got there. Pity the fool who got in their way. GD skaters seemed to hesitate and have to think about how they were going to enter the jam and never as quickly as BADG. Rettig to Rumble was the exception, of course, if anyone could match the BADG in intensity it was Rettig.

Played a smarter game. When Sassy took off to run down a GD jammer that had slipped through, the rest of the BADG followed her and one or two GD blockers went with them as well maintaining the pack. GD never slowed up as a team to catch BADG in a 20 foot violation. This is not to say the 20 foot rule was never used, when BADG knocked down all the GD skaters and skated away they got caught by the rule. But it was never used by GD as a deliberate strategy. It was as if BADG had thrown down a challenge to GD to skate with them and GD pick up this challenge and skated no matter what.

Toughness. The toughest skaters on the track had to BADG jammers. Polly Puredread said that BADG decided to leave their jammers “naked”, no trailing blocker to help the jammer, and just concentrate on stopping GD jammers. And with the speed of the BADG pack this meant that their were at least two sometimes three GD blockers waiting for BADG jammers, add the GD jammer throwing her shoulder in every now and then and a BADG jammer could be facing four GD skaters to get through. BADG jammers got to know Rat City's sports floor quite well. But every time BADG jammers went down they got back up faster than GD blockers and when they were able to get to BADG blockers they received whips and shielding blocks that sped them on their way, only to facing waiting GD blockers alone again. Hello Mr. Sports Floor. I believe I saw Turbo get knocked to floor 6 times in one jam and still score points, in fact the BADG jammers scored points in almost every jam. I believe this “naked” jammer strategy is the reason Miss Moxxxie did so well in Seattle. Being the bigger and stronger jammer, she was able to fight through the GD blockers better than the faster and more nibble Turbo and Racey.

As the BADG jammers were putting on an incredible display of speed and pain management, a vicious battle was going on for the BADG defensive box. GD was desperate to destroy the box that was shutting down their scoring and they were willing to use all means legal and illegal to do it. BADG blockers fought back with unmatched ferocity to maintain their box, also using means legal and illegal. In the end BADG simply gave better than they received.

So the BADG out-skated, out-smarted and out-fought GD, in every facet of derby BADG was superior, as evidence by the last 6 jams of 17-0 derby. Yeah, so Kitt Turbo was right! BADG just kicked DG asses.

March 31, 2007

noreply@blogger.com (South Bay Fan) — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 18:41:00 +0000

A SAD DAY FOR ROLLER DERBY FANS

The second bout of the 2007 season was to be the “East Bay Rumble,” between the Richmond Wrecking Belles and the Oakland Outlaws. But, instead, I read the following on the main website:

Bay Area Derby Girls March 31 Bout
CANCELLED

OAKLAND – March 29, 2007 – The B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls' March 31 bout between the Richmond Wrecking Belles and the Oakland Outlaws has been canceled. Just two days prior to the bout, Dry Ice, the primary event venue for the B.A.D. Girls, has been deemed unsafe by Oakland's Fire Marshall.

While the dubious state of the venue was apparent to any loyal fan, Dry Ice will no longer be allowed to host events of any capacity without much-needed renovations.

Thus begins a new adventure for the BADG: a venue, a venue, anywhere!

March 3, 2007

noreply@blogger.com (South Bay Fan) — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 19:25:00 +0000

NEW BEGINNINGS

Saturday, March 3, welcomed the first bout of the 2007 season for the B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls (BADG). This is the second season of roller derby for the BADG, with 2006 being, not only their first season, but it served as an exhibition season for the San Francisco Bay Area to be introduced to the resurgence of this full-contact sport.

The BADG started 2006 with 30 skaters and throughout the year, grew to 40 skaters. In 2007, BADG was further strengthened by the addition of new skaters (rookies) and now number 60 skaters. The BADG have also reorganized themselves into three teams, the original two teams: the San Francisco ShEvil Dead, lead by returning skaters Sassy Slayher and Miss Moxxxie; and the Oakland Outlaws, now lead by new leaders Kitt Turbo and Taxi Scab, both formerly of the ShEvil Dead. The new team is the Richmond Wrecking Belles lead by league veterans Liza Machete, formerly of the ShEvil Dead, and Racey Lane, formerly of the Oakland Outlaws.

“Return to the Rink” is the first bout of 2007 and was between the Richmond Wrecking Belles and the S.F. ShEvil Dead. The weather was good for March 3rd, and an enormous crowd showed up at Dry Ice in Oakland. In terms of popularity, the BADG seemed to be starting the new season right where they left off in 2006.

A new season brought new uniforms to the BADG; the S.F. ShEvil Dead now sport pink and camo uniforms and the Richmond Wrecking Belles are skating out in bright yellow and navy. Our refs on the rink were: John Diss (Head Ref), Dirty D, Mindiannapolis 500, Mathemortician, The Skatomasochist and Meat. With the introductions out of the way, it was time for some roller derby!

JAM ON

As the skaters lined up, I noticed that although both teams have plenty of rookies, for the first jam, largely veterans were going to be skating. For the Dead, they started with Sassy Slayher as pivot, then, Mötley Crüz, Messy Jessy, Annie Agony and Miss Moxxxie as jammer. For the Belles, they lined up Mandi Festo, a former Iron Curtain skater from Tucson, as pivot, then Nancy Drew Blood, Diva Negativa, Liza Machete, with rookie La Femme Nikilla as jammer. Nikilla took lead jammer and was closely followed by Miss Moxxxie, Miss Moxxxie got through the pack first scoring four points, but Nikilla was not able to get past Sassy and had to call the jam off, scoring 3 points. In the next jam, Diane Rött jammed for the Belles and rookie Jilly the Kid jammed for the Dead. The jam was a scoreless affair as neither was able to battle their way through the pack of blockers for any points. Soon after, the Belles took the lead 5-4 when 2006 MVP Racey Lane called off the jam with 2 points as the Dead defense closed in on her.

This was the pattern of play for the bout, the Belles' Liza Machete and Mandi Festo skated as many jams as they could, substituting perhaps only one skater per jam and keeping a jammer rotation of Nikilla, Diane Rött and Racey. While Sassy Slayher skated pivot most of the night, Miss Moxxxie alternated between blocker and jammer, and a variety of skaters made their debut. Over the next two jams, the Dead were able to rack up 11 points to zero taking a 15-5 lead over the Belles. But then, Racey Lane almost pulled the Belles even with a 9-0 jam over Iva Vendetta. Miss Moxxxie responded with a 2-0 jam over Nikilla. A scoreless jam followed as rookie jammers Diane Rött and Getta Piece of the Dead were both sent to the penalty box. The last jam of the first period went to the Belles, as Racey Lane rocketed 8 points over Jilly the Kid’s zero-point jam, putting the Belles into lead 22-17 by the end of the firs period.

SECOND PERIOD

After a 15-minute break, the second period began. The Belles made a change in their lineup: Liza Machete moved to pivot and Mandi Festo took the #4 blocker position. The first jam of the second period, the tenth of the bout, started with Annie Agony and Sassy Slayher in the box. But Moxxxie, Mötley and Messy were able to able to slow down La Femme Nikilla long enough that Annie and Sassy were able to finish the jam in the pack. Sassy screamed around track, just like she used to in 2006, and was picking up points fast until Nikilla called off the jam, securing a 4-2 score.

Now it was the Belles turn in the penalty box, Mandi and Nancy sat and watched Jilly the Kid rack up 3 points to zero over Diane Rött, and the Dead were edging their way back. But just when the Dead seemed to be putting it back together, Racey Lane would show up and blow it all apart again. She scored an 8-2 jam against Sassy Slayher, putting the Belles up by 10 points. The Belles began to take control of the bout, and over the next three jams, they scored 13 points to the Dead's 4 points, resulting in a Belles' lead of 47-28. The Dead put on a desperate push to get back into game, gathering their best blockers available, Sassy, Mötley, Messy, Kimfectious with Miss Moxxxie as jammer, they scored 5 points to zero over the Belles. But in the next jam with Jilly the Kid in the penalty box, Diane Rött answered with a 5-0 jam of her own! Moxxxie and blockers then came back to score a 7-0 jam and Jilly the Kid was able to out score Roxie the Riveter with a 3-0 jam. The second period was over, and the Dead were only 9 points behind (52-43). There was still a possibility they could pull out a win in the third period.

HALF-TIME

The half time show was a burlesque number performed by Jay Walker and the Cockivores. By some event coordinating snafu, the Cockivores performed only on the S.F. ShEvil Dead fans' side of the rink. I wondered why Richmond was left out? Anyway, the halftime gave me a chance to think about the strategies in the game and it seemed that the point difference in the bout was due to the Dead’s inability to match the point-scoring of or defensively slow down the explosive Racey Lane. If the Dead could do either they would have chance at this juncture, as the blocking by both sides seems to fairly even as Liza Machete and crew were well matched against Sassy Slayher and her army of undead.

LAST PERIOD

The third period started; no noticeable changes were made and the two teams were ready to fight it out to the end. The jam began with La Femme Nikilla breaking out of the pack first, but not legally. So without lead jammer status, as Nikilla sped around the track, Miss Moxxxie broke free with the aid of Sassy Slayher’s offense and she called the jam off for a 0-0 tie. Despite having the move put Sassy in the box, Jilly the Kid still collected 4 points as the short-handed Dead were able to keep Diane Rött from scoring. Now with Messy Jessy in the sin bin, Racey Lane jammed against rookie Getta Piece. Racey roared around the track as Getta Piece found no daylight among the Belles blockers, the resulting 9-0 score was devastating to the Dead's chances. Over the next two jams, the Dead fought back, but the 9-6 score of those jams was just too slow of a comeback—the Dead were running out of time, and Racey Lane was back at the jammer line. It was Trixxy B. Dammed's turn against the speedy Belle. Now with Iva Vendetta in the penalty box, the Dead were short-handed once again—this time there was no comeback. Although Sassy freed up Trixxy to score 4 points, her offense penalties earned her another visit to the box, and Racey Lane lapped Dead skaters for 10 more points. This was the nail in the coffin of the Dead as they were now down 17 points and were skating the next jam with two skaters in the box. Nikilla added 5 more points the Belles lead, leaving the score at 82-60. It was plain to everyone that the bout was over, the last four jams added 7 points to the Belles lead and 5 points to the Dead. The Richmond Wreaking Belles won the first bout of the 2007 season 89-65.

OUTSTANDING ROOKIES

This being the first bout of the season there were some skaters that I had not seen skate before and they impressed me. For the Belles, Demanda Riot #0:00 has the size and attitude to be a great blocker. She showed a lot of discipline and concentration in the jams she was in, holding her position and carrying out her duties as a blocker. It will be very interesting to see how she develops over the season.

For the ShEvil Dead, I’d say the outstanding rookie was Jilly the Kid #.44. Jamming is probably the toughest job a rookie can be thrown into, roller derby just happens faster for a jammer. A jammer knows there are four girls in a very small track trying to kill her. She has to be fearless and quick, and not just take big hits, but if she falls, she mus get up and do it again and again and again. Jilly the Kid earned a respectable point differential of +3 in a loosing effort, but it is still impressive for any skater, let alone a rookie.

MVP

The obvious choice for MVP is always a jammer since they score the points. But all jammers can be stopped with good blocking, just like in baseball where good pitching always beats good hitting, blockers determine whether a jammer will score, a jammer’s skill determines only how much she will score. So, I'm split as to whom to give the MVP, Racey Lane or Liza Machete. The Captain and Co-Captain of the Richmond Wrecking Belles played brilliantly. Racey Lane had an exceptional point differential for the entire bout (+35), and it’s clear that she carried the team to victory on Saturday night. But the Machete came up with the game plan, the rotation, the end of period adjustments, and she was the leadership that put the Belles over the top of the S.F. ShEvil Dead. I think the congratulations goes to both of them, co-captains and co-MVPs.