Derby Heaven

article

-1

2009-11-13T23:04:00-05:00

Playerpress

Yes

138 6058 Here in Philadelphia for the Declaration of Derby national tournament, and it is derby Heaven. The Gotham Girls beat Detroit 187-38 after starting the bout down 11-0. Have to say loved the way Detroit played, and they had some good skaters.  It's hard to beat Gotham. Many of the league's travel team players have played since the derby comeback started in 2004. My fellow Suburbia skaters were awed by Suzi Hotrod, who is a strong jammer and cut like an Olympian. Gotham plays Olympia tomorrow at 3:15 in a semifinal.    Bouts start at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow, time for sleep! 76.97.188.228

2009-11-13T23:04:00-05:00

derby-heaven

Yes 66.249.67.174, 174.36.228.156, 66.249.68.242, 67.195.112.109, 76.97.188.228, 64.191.203.34, 216.24.142.47, 216.39.58.17, 174.129.104.29, 67.202.38.165, 74.201.117.226, 69.36.233.15, 75.101.197.164, 67.218.99.195, 216.129.119.81, 38.104.134.114, 174.36.241.149, 211.115.109.14, 69.118.102.66, 142.166.170.101, 142.166.170.104, 79.146.155.27, 67.195.114.233, 68.84.79.138, 208.92.72.84, 123.125.66.103, 67.218.116.131, 79.179.17.158, 72.30.142.161, 216.129.119.11, 98.113.177.26, 67.202.34.153, 67.86.41.172, 174.129.81.149, 174.51.155.223, 98.223.192.253, 128.30.52.70, 38.100.19.10, 38.108.180.131, 69.248.176.108, 123.125.66.29, 152.33.55.175, 216.223.52.111, 123.125.66.16, 142.166.170.102, 68.198.102.116, 173.70.209.189, 123.125.66.54, 123.125.66.23, 72.66.43.97, 63.215.202.4, 119.63.198.4, 174.127.132.10, 67.202.15.176, 66.249.68.227, 142.166.170.103, 207.29.128.161, 63.215.202.234, 66.249.67.206, 123.125.66.34, 116.125.141.2, 74.66.226.75, 123.125.66.38, 67.87.229.197, 123.125.66.107, 66.249.67.199, 216.129.119.13, 66.249.65.200, 98.222.133.51, 66.249.65.199, 66.49.230.168, 67.195.112.159, 99.169.176.96, 213.160.76.189, 205.188.117.12, 170.12.1.30, 66.162.83.179, 66.249.68.172, 87.118.122.54, 116.125.141.6, 70.19.104.117, 204.12.248.194, 163.1.5.153, 66.249.68.178, 65.55.106.157, 66.249.67.229, 82.23.138.240, 67.195.111.172, 67.243.136.207, 66.249.68.233, 173.56.54.107, 24.90.157.53, 192.252.76.200, 189.25.59.163, 209.249.53.134, 87.250.252.241, 209.249.53.179, 211.233.79.177, 119.63.198.38, 65.55.106.163, 174.127.132.157, 67.81.16.150, 66.249.68.143, 99.39.240.111, 69.122.114.101, 209.202.168.74, 74.53.3.132, 71.167.249.113, 99.188.62.209, 173.70.212.4, 98.228.40.211, 66.249.65.119, 222.231.42.202, 69.126.22.232, 66.249.68.137, 65.55.106.209, 69.121.68.144, 64.118.216.202, 66.249.68.248, 67.195.114.42, 65.55.106.227, 64.12.117.12, 209.202.168.80, 96.242.227.28, 66.249.68.245, 65.55.106.232, 93.107.71.214, 66.249.67.142, 203.131.250.162, 67.195.37.188, 72.81.71.169, 66.249.68.204, 67.195.112.114, 38.99.97.10, 222.231.42.194, 67.85.137.146, 123.125.66.65, 99.230.71.26

Derby Heaven

No Lesley E Visserate, Roller Derby

-1

Derby Heaven

1055

athlete

article

-1

2009-11-05T07:58:00-05:00

Playerpress

Yes

138 5941 All our skaters are getting ready for this weekend, when Suburbia Roller Derby hosts a doubleheader Saturday at 5 p.m. in Yonkers, N.Y.  <img width="500" height="334" src="/uploads/Image/3780985349_08b53e141d_b.jpg" alt="" />   We're actually hosting a men's bout before our travel team plays a Jersey all-star team. The men and the women don't compete against each other anymore. We do scrimmage together; a few Death Quads came to last night's practice and we used them as foils for some hitting drills.   It will be fun to see them play the New York Shock Exchange.   Our travel team, Suburban Brawl, takes the track right after, We are busy selling tickets and trying to get the word out at the last minute. This is what leagues all over the country do, the competition itself is the main event but we need fans to make it all come together.   If you want to follow us on Twitter we are SuburbiaRD.  Photo by Megan "Slim Fast" Freeman of Diamond Knuckles, who held up the foul scoreboard during a summer bout. (I love that tattoo.) 76.97.188.228

2009-11-05T07:58:00-05:00

roller-derby-this-weekend

Yes 67.81.8.154, 66.249.68.227, 38.98.19.111, 200.126.226.16, 24.44.181.224, 174.129.87.184, 69.63.178.250, 96.56.48.42, 123.125.66.21, 38.108.180.131, 67.85.156.0, 72.248.244.115, 71.127.229.188, 67.84.126.69, 76.89.73.164, 66.249.67.238, 76.97.188.228, 64.191.203.34, 216.24.142.46, 216.39.58.17, 67.218.99.195, 75.101.197.164, 74.201.117.226, 69.36.233.15, 38.104.134.114, 67.202.38.165, 216.129.119.81, 67.86.41.172, 174.129.89.199, 208.68.178.194, 206.53.157.242, 69.248.176.108, 67.83.175.188, 174.129.101.63, 64.236.181.6, 174.37.205.67, 76.124.58.147, 75.192.35.167, 83.149.199.55, 67.87.229.197, 67.195.115.163, 71.184.119.33, 67.195.113.245, 66.235.124.8, 206.209.102.35, 66.249.68.193, 82.23.138.240, 174.127.132.10, 71.107.149.111, 119.63.198.10, 211.115.109.14, 38.105.83.11, 68.193.89.25, 71.234.67.103, 216.129.119.11, 67.195.112.109, 207.200.116.138, 67.218.116.134, 216.24.142.47, 67.85.137.146, 71.163.125.196, 66.249.67.174, 71.125.247.81, 67.218.116.131, 66.249.68.242, 66.249.67.134, 71.20.220.76, 66.235.124.54, 67.195.114.233, 67.172.195.130, 65.244.90.98, 63.139.34.162, 24.209.53.76, 69.118.102.66, 71.143.6.163, 12.144.110.131, 222.231.42.196, 98.113.177.26, 64.12.116.199, 68.198.102.116, 173.70.209.189, 90.213.255.39, 66.249.67.66, 216.129.119.13, 207.29.128.161, 63.215.202.234, 67.195.37.172, 66.249.67.206, 76.204.16.198, 216.129.119.43, 59.93.144.78, 66.249.65.200, 222.231.42.197, 66.249.65.199, 67.195.112.159, 67.195.111.172, 96.224.244.168, 208.43.229.68, 163.1.5.150, 66.249.68.172, 207.109.69.9, 163.1.5.153, 66.249.67.229, 66.249.68.178, 88.146.126.140, 222.231.42.192, 65.55.106.114, 66.249.68.233, 209.249.53.134, 87.250.252.241, 204.12.248.194, 209.202.168.75, 209.202.168.81, 68.195.44.93, 98.183.132.24, 66.249.68.137, 65.55.106.208, 116.125.141.2, 98.112.140.195, 66.249.68.143, 67.81.16.150, 64.166.189.2, 74.53.3.132, 99.188.62.209, 173.70.212.4, 67.195.114.243, 173.21.233.247, 65.55.107.180, 211.233.79.171, 67.195.114.42, 65.55.106.134, 66.249.68.204, 203.131.250.162, 69.116.65.134, 38.99.97.10, 67.195.112.114, 116.125.141.4, 65.55.106.181

Roller Derby this weekend

No Lesley E Visserate, Roller derby

-1

Roller Derby this weekend

1055

athlete

article

-1

2009-10-29T09:28:00-04:00

Playerpress

Yes

137 5847 <object width="425" height="344"> <param value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Loy6byfqiO4&hl=en&fs=1&" name="movie" /> <param value="true" name="allowFullScreen" /> <param value="always" name="allowscriptaccess" /><embed width="425" height="344" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" mediawrapchecked="true" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Loy6byfqiO4&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" id="Player1256839112398" splayername="SWF" tplayername="SWF"></embed></object>       If you live around Philadelphia and want to see the best teams in the country compete, you can check out the Declaration of Derby tournament Nov. 13 to 15. The Women's Flat Track Derby Association will host three day s of competition, and there will be skaters from all over the country watching and playing. My league, Suburbia Roller Derby, is getting a couple of hotel rooms and settling in for a long weekend.   76.97.188.228

2009-10-29T09:28:00-04:00

wftda-nationals-in-philly-next-month

Yes 67.81.8.154, 66.249.68.248, 201.254.108.63, 200.126.226.16, 69.248.176.108, 67.202.34.153, 136.177.160.166, 123.125.66.18, 66.249.67.136, 174.36.241.155, 76.97.188.228, 64.191.203.34, 216.24.142.47, 216.39.58.18, 74.201.117.226, 69.36.233.15, 38.104.134.114, 67.202.38.165, 174.129.89.199, 216.24.142.45, 67.83.175.188, 65.222.217.211, 66.192.203.3, 67.195.37.95, 67.195.115.163, 72.48.99.60, 65.211.108.149, 66.249.68.179, 208.43.229.66, 131.246.103.128, 174.46.170.179, 216.129.119.11, 67.202.15.176, 67.85.137.146, 66.249.68.245, 125.46.73.179, 67.218.116.134, 216.24.142.46, 67.218.116.131, 66.249.67.245, 119.63.199.49, 202.54.61.99, 65.210.13.235, 82.23.138.240, 66.249.67.238, 67.195.37.181, 210.212.216.228, 216.129.119.12, 66.249.67.202, 66.249.68.227, 67.195.113.245, 67.218.116.163, 174.127.132.10, 66.249.68.42, 68.193.89.25, 38.98.19.111, 207.200.116.6, 174.129.114.74, 174.129.143.254, 120.28.64.94, 203.147.4.68, 66.249.68.242, 67.218.116.164, 213.180.209.10, 118.175.22.69, 12.15.146.254, 75.195.220.140, 210.51.10.197, 66.249.67.174, 216.129.119.13, 75.92.248.221, 24.22.40.86, 71.153.162.69, 67.170.83.97, 187.4.205.90, 67.195.112.109, 208.81.184.4, 114.127.246.36, 98.113.177.26, 66.235.124.58, 69.253.81.70, 124.228.83.63, 216.129.119.40, 120.28.64.77, 68.198.102.116, 219.148.197.154, 221.215.1.224, 99.255.194.76, 203.82.73.198, 67.218.116.133, 67.218.116.130, 216.129.119.43, 72.66.43.97, 63.215.202.4, 120.28.64.85, 216.129.119.41, 65.55.207.54, 66.249.67.206, 205.209.170.2, 62.216.241.133, 67.195.114.233, 200.177.228.4, 67.195.112.159, 200.141.202.162, 66.249.65.200, 66.249.65.199, 77.88.26.25, 208.43.229.68, 221.214.27.253, 95.108.157.251, 91.205.174.49, 66.249.68.230, 67.195.111.172, 163.1.5.150, 163.1.5.153, 65.55.207.101, 66.249.68.152, 209.249.53.134, 174.127.132.126, 87.250.252.241, 66.249.68.233, 65.55.207.70, 195.210.57.83, 98.112.140.195, 66.249.68.143, 174.127.132.154, 65.55.216.10, 74.53.3.132, 209.202.168.81, 209.202.168.80, 67.195.114.42, 65.55.215.74, 65.55.106.186, 67.195.112.85, 203.131.250.162, 38.99.97.10, 67.195.112.114

WFTDA Nationals in Philly next month

No WFTDA, Suburbia Roller Derby

-1

WFTDA Nationals in Philly next month

1055

athlete

article

-1

2009-10-25T14:43:00-04:00

Playerpress

Yes

193 5787 Madison Square Garden was one home to one of the best roller derby teams in the country, the New York Chiefs. Luckily I live in New York and get the MSG Network, and sometimes at 2 a.m. you can find them re-running footage of the old Chiefs games. <object width="425" height="344"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9Mhsl6Jj3PI&hl=en&fs=1&" /> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed width="425" height="344" tplayername="SWF" splayername="SWF" id="Player1256516065460" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9Mhsl6Jj3PI&hl=en&fs=1&" mediawrapchecked="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>     First thing I noticed was how skilled the players were. And how camp a lot of the action is. Hair-pulling, "punching" an opponent when the medic comes over - enough cheap shots and dirty tricks to make me realize "Kansas City Bomber" was more of a documentary.   <img width="300" height="400" alt="" src="/uploads/Image/FeudinFussin.jpg" /> Still, whenever I pass out flyers for Suburbia Roller Derby I usually run into someone who fondly remembers Joanie Weston or Charlie O'Connell.  You can see him and Bob Woodberry in the above clip featuring the 1973 championship between the west coast Bombers and the Chiefs.   When I co-authored a New York Rangers blog last season, one of the readers confessed she had a few old roller derby yearbooks in the attic that she was planning to throw away and she sent them to me. They are a wealth. And they made it clear how popular the sport was.   <img width="400" height="533" alt="" src="/uploads/Image/FavesportonTV.jpg" />   I have been impressed that derby was co-ed even in its origins. As fake as the fights and some of the plays were, the men and women were impressive athletically. I wished, watching the footage, that they would chill with the gimmicks and go all out like we do. I'm sure they could've put on a clinic for modern players.   But we will won't know, and the straight up version we play now leaves the trickery far behind.   118.220.175.207

2009-10-25T14:43:00-04:00

old-style-derby

Yes 67.81.8.154, 66.249.68.248, 72.44.61.86, 24.0.145.90, 70.37.66.241, 216.24.142.47, 216.24.142.46, 67.202.5.6, 67.202.34.153, 89.151.116.54, 64.246.135.98, 208.74.66.60, 174.129.141.109, 75.101.139.240, 75.101.190.114, 75.101.205.207, 174.129.111.78, 72.240.159.168, 166.137.133.12, 75.101.250.90, 69.123.128.73, 174.36.241.157, 89.151.116.52, 67.218.99.195, 174.133.61.66, 24.239.0.59, 69.59.162.116, 67.18.5.138, 123.125.66.38, 76.97.188.228, 64.191.203.34, 216.39.58.78, 216.24.142.45, 216.129.119.81, 67.202.11.49, 174.129.107.161, 67.202.38.165, 74.201.117.226, 38.104.134.114, 69.36.233.15, 174.129.104.29, 66.249.67.136, 72.30.78.232, 118.220.175.207, 128.241.112.231, 213.180.209.10, 67.218.116.131, 69.248.176.108, 174.129.81.149, 74.34.5.10, 67.195.113.245, 208.80.193.57, 216.129.119.11, 67.218.116.163, 67.195.115.163, 66.249.68.245, 174.46.170.182, 207.180.154.246, 66.249.68.227, 66.249.67.238, 76.108.58.17, 64.12.117.18, 173.51.148.171, 67.87.229.197, 174.129.143.254, 216.129.119.42, 216.129.119.13, 66.235.124.58, 67.218.116.133, 67.218.116.164, 216.129.119.41, 216.129.119.40, 216.129.119.43, 66.249.68.242, 66.249.67.174, 67.195.114.233, 67.218.116.166, 67.195.112.109, 216.129.119.44, 216.129.119.14, 69.118.102.66, 62.6.149.18, 79.146.67.163, 72.144.46.12, 98.113.177.26, 174.129.114.74, 67.86.41.172, 97.81.81.174, 12.15.121.124, 86.151.13.179, 70.193.163.20, 66.249.67.102, 24.35.108.146, 63.215.202.4, 68.198.102.116, 207.29.128.161, 63.215.202.234, 98.141.161.107, 87.86.27.250, 66.249.67.206, 174.127.132.10, 65.55.106.209, 99.9.154.165, 85.113.244.201, 76.170.220.208, 67.195.112.159, 161.150.2.55, 66.249.65.200, 66.249.65.199, 173.79.112.251, 81.198.48.80, 208.43.229.68, 199.8.99.254, 95.108.157.251, 205.188.117.18, 93.69.121.185, 99.185.69.38, 170.12.1.30, 66.249.68.230, 163.1.5.150, 66.249.68.172, 69.124.19.40, 70.252.142.6, 163.1.5.153, 72.144.73.80, 66.249.67.229, 66.249.68.178, 88.146.126.140, 86.33.111.25, 65.55.207.93, 170.167.4.200, 70.89.96.21, 66.249.68.233, 66.249.67.251, 68.226.152.73, 209.249.53.134, 70.180.202.172, 209.249.53.179, 87.250.252.241, 174.127.132.157, 69.171.160.152, 99.55.91.140, 148.188.17.56, 70.53.43.113, 65.55.207.23, 66.249.68.137, 76.111.19.242, 174.16.135.37, 67.195.111.172, 66.249.68.166, 67.83.24.51, 66.249.68.143, 98.112.140.195, 71.88.17.144, 65.55.106.131, 74.53.3.132, 156.98.4.11, 66.249.65.109, 209.202.168.81, 209.202.168.80, 66.249.65.119, 66.249.67.162, 201.19.143.12, 67.195.114.42, 198.239.152.71, 67.142.165.22, 64.118.216.202, 65.55.207.95, 174.127.132.132, 72.144.243.253, 99.13.33.11, 74.37.73.151, 98.222.55.255, 66.156.238.70, 66.249.68.149, 75.161.40.7, 66.235.124.54, 66.249.68.204, 66.249.67.142, 65.55.207.30, 90.3.25.77, 67.195.112.85, 66.188.255.243, 74.240.20.62, 119.63.198.30, 12.231.148.254, 206.53.153.170, 203.131.250.162, 38.99.97.10, 32.142.201.170, 67.85.137.146, 71.193.195.88, 99.230.71.26, 65.55.107.183

Old Style Derby

-1

Old Style Derby

1055

athlete

article

-1

2009-10-14T09:42:00-04:00

Playerpress

Yes

274 5614 <object width="425" height="344"> <param value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4eYNi4sZr8I&hl=en&fs=1&" name="movie" /> <param value="true" name="allowFullScreen" /> <param value="always" name="allowscriptaccess" /><embed width="425" height="344" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" mediawrapchecked="true" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4eYNi4sZr8I&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" id="Player1255546002850" splayername="SWF" tplayername="SWF"></embed></object>  My <a href="http://www.suburbiarollerderby.com/">roller derby league </a>got a little pub last night when out local newscast, Cablevision's News 12, did a segment on the sport. We're even the team of the week.   Here's a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eYNi4sZr8I">link to the video on YouTube.</a> So you know, I'm the one in the green helmet and white shorts who knocks Smashing Pumpkin into the camera guy in the opening shot (screen shot below). Luckily, there are no sorrys in derby.   <img width="300" height="220" src="/uploads/Image/news12.png" alt="" />      We are hoping that spots like this help to build a fan base and get people out to watch us play. Since we have a bout scheduled on our home court for Nov. 7, this is good timing.   We pay dues to play, and the money we can take in through ticket sales helps offset the cost of renting the space. It's not easy to find a building in Westchester to skate. Roller rinks and bowling alleys were been turned into condos during successive real estate booms, and we've had to improvise. <img width="400" height="517" src="/uploads/Image/l_8cb56fc43ca642dbae35c6101ca4f23c.jpg" alt="" />    Last weekend we had our Teacher's Pests vs. Club Scouts bout, and as a Pest I'm proud to say we won by a pretty respectable margin. Pumpkin, who also graces the cover of our next flyer, had to leave the bout in an ambulance with a knee injury, but she hopes to be back skating soon.   It's a risk we all take, but most of us find the payoff is worth it.    76.97.188.228

2009-10-14T09:42:00-04:00

derby-in-the-news

Yes 67.195.37.107, 66.249.67.136, 89.211.82.25, 82.23.138.240, 72.30.87.97, 77.75.77.123, 170.149.100.10, 24.89.167.66, 216.24.142.46, 216.24.142.47, 68.192.139.22, 65.55.104.173, 66.249.68.248, 65.55.37.186, 174.46.170.180, 67.81.8.154, 213.180.209.10, 173.3.119.211, 216.129.119.11, 65.55.105.220, 64.12.116.80, 67.202.34.153, 38.104.134.114, 119.63.199.61, 65.55.108.242, 68.198.101.63, 208.80.193.59, 67.85.137.146, 72.30.78.232, 77.75.73.123, 66.249.68.182, 216.129.119.41, 216.129.119.13, 72.30.79.93, 68.198.152.125, 67.218.116.164, 67.218.116.131, 216.129.119.40, 67.218.116.130, 76.169.20.195, 116.125.141.2, 119.63.199.15, 174.129.114.74, 68.192.4.148, 66.249.68.245, 67.218.116.133, 67.218.116.162, 65.55.37.192, 119.63.199.56, 66.249.67.72, 216.129.119.43, 119.63.199.45, 119.63.199.34, 64.244.60.30, 66.249.68.227, 67.195.113.245, 66.249.67.238, 67.195.115.163, 72.248.244.115, 174.129.87.184, 67.87.229.197, 74.68.111.45, 174.46.170.184, 71.234.67.103, 38.98.19.68, 133.44.71.115, 67.195.112.109, 66.249.68.82, 66.249.67.174, 66.249.68.242, 124.115.0.26, 65.55.207.100, 119.63.198.57, 119.63.198.20, 75.217.31.80, 66.235.124.8, 119.63.198.19, 119.63.198.24, 68.198.102.116, 67.195.37.172, 205.209.170.2, 119.63.198.58, 119.63.198.21, 119.63.198.55, 222.231.42.199, 67.195.112.159, 77.88.26.25, 119.63.198.56, 123.125.66.50, 65.55.207.50, 208.43.229.68, 95.108.157.251, 67.195.111.172, 66.249.68.230, 87.118.122.54, 119.63.198.10, 119.63.198.54, 163.1.5.153, 38.99.98.16, 65.55.106.137, 116.125.140.10, 119.63.198.18, 173.56.54.107, 87.250.252.241, 66.249.68.233, 124.115.0.27, 119.63.198.26, 65.55.207.48, 116.125.141.3, 173.8.56.169, 66.249.68.137, 63.215.202.234, 66.249.68.166, 66.249.68.143, 98.112.140.195, 119.63.198.31, 119.63.198.28, 119.63.198.52, 123.125.66.42, 209.202.168.74, 119.63.198.14, 119.63.198.40, 65.55.207.26, 119.63.198.59, 67.195.114.42, 65.55.110.147, 222.231.42.186, 119.63.198.39, 68.198.126.72, 65.55.207.78, 119.63.198.7, 67.195.112.85, 123.125.66.86, 119.63.198.15, 65.55.107.181, 67.195.112.114, 38.99.97.10, 66.249.68.204, 38.98.19.111, 116.125.140.16

Derby in the News!

No Lesley E. Visserate, roller derby, Suburbia, Smashing Pumpkin, News 12

-1

Derby in the News!

1055

athlete

article

-1

2009-10-06T14:19:00-04:00

Playerpress

Yes

375 5476 Ever wake up and been unable to bend your right knee? I get that about twice a month. It's part of playing roller derby. Covering the NFL, I've gotten to see players go from the hot to the cold tub, get CAT scans, MRIs and the attentive care of the best doctors in New York.  As a skater we get... a copay.   <img width="400" height="268" src="/uploads/Image/3682337409_83945cece5_b.jpg" alt="" />   (Luckily, my joint guys also treat the NHL's Rangers  so I can't say the quality is different, even though they aren't as quick to send me to get scanned.)   One of my teammates uses pads to numb her kneecaps before practice and many of us wear Gladiator gaskets under our kneepads. There are painful shoulders and bad backs, swollen ankles and blisters so raw that some of us duct tape an entire foot before putting it in the skate.   Derby is real. We don't script this stuff, and when we hit polished cement or sport court, it hurts. Luckily, one of our skaters is an emergency room nurse, so when a collision is really bad, she tells us whether or not to call an ambulance. In my two years, I've seen about a half dozen players leave practice or a bout on a gurney. <img width="400" height="598" src="/uploads/Image/3782319456_e2838047c2_b.jpg" alt="" />   I fell twice on my right knee about two weeks ago and couldn't bend my right knee despite icing it, so I went to my joint guy. He said to take it easy for a week. When I went to practice but skipped the contact drills, Vixen Von Bruisen joked that I hurt my "wussy bone."   That's the thing. If you get hurt, you get up and skate. Everyone is hurt at some level. You just can't throw yourself at another human speeding around a track and expect to feel great as time goes on. Every skater is expected to have insurance and we are covered as a group in order to do contact drills. If you aren't covered, you can't play.   We also cross-train to get stronger, so that our bodies don't break down. We practice falling so that when it inevitably happens, we don't take everyone out with us or get our fingers crushed by other people's skates. Kickin McNuggitz, above, is trying to get up without using her hands.   But we try to play through things if we can.   My joint guy cleared me and asked if I had any other questions. I said I wondered if I might be doing long term damage to my knees if they kept taking a pounding.   "That's a valid concern," he said with a smile.   I'm still thinking I can get him to come to a bout.    Above photo by Megan Moss Freeman, which prompted Rita Wayward to say, "Get your bony shoulder out of my ribcage, Lesley!" 76.97.188.228

2009-10-06T14:19:00-04:00

oh-the-pain

Yes 72.30.87.97, 72.30.142.117, 67.85.137.146, 66.249.67.136, 68.192.139.22, 66.249.68.248, 67.16.94.2, 141.219.228.228, 65.55.104.173, 74.101.98.59, 74.68.111.45, 213.180.209.10, 65.55.234.162, 65.55.37.186, 174.46.170.181, 71.167.178.3, 173.3.119.211, 68.192.76.53, 65.55.108.241, 68.198.101.63, 68.198.198.142, 67.83.203.235, 69.200.240.246, 72.30.78.232, 199.106.173.200, 67.202.34.153, 64.118.216.133, 67.195.115.163, 65.55.37.195, 67.195.113.245, 98.77.182.115, 174.129.81.149, 32.178.237.57, 174.129.87.184, 123.125.66.16, 72.68.147.80, 76.9.100.82, 24.44.83.17, 152.216.11.5, 66.219.58.34, 216.129.119.42, 66.249.67.133, 66.249.68.245, 76.169.20.84, 199.79.168.214, 67.195.37.107, 207.180.154.246, 95.71.158.132, 66.249.68.227, 65.55.106.156, 64.12.117.74, 66.249.67.238, 64.206.201.205, 72.248.244.115, 75.101.181.32, 67.87.229.197, 67.202.46.241, 65.55.51.32, 174.46.170.185, 68.193.89.25, 38.98.19.111, 163.151.2.10, 66.235.124.57, 24.196.103.202, 173.30.19.244, 208.151.220.252, 67.195.112.109, 76.105.247.238, 67.160.191.239, 68.87.42.110, 66.249.68.242, 66.249.67.174, 69.118.102.66, 216.120.228.16, 66.220.18.178, 167.219.88.140, 98.113.177.26, 67.86.41.172, 124.115.4.192, 67.195.114.233, 69.124.45.75, 68.194.243.168, 65.55.106.231, 66.235.124.8, 68.198.102.116, 141.155.73.3, 63.215.202.4, 64.61.166.170, 207.29.128.161, 63.215.202.234, 67.195.37.172, 205.209.170.2, 173.170.193.170, 67.195.112.159, 161.13.3.55, 69.204.249.69, 66.249.65.200, 124.115.0.19, 69.143.212.145, 77.88.26.25, 96.224.244.168, 84.243.201.167, 24.120.36.131, 99.139.216.51, 65.55.106.186, 76.15.184.198, 95.108.157.251, 205.188.116.12, 66.249.68.230, 170.12.1.30, 123.125.66.43, 75.101.232.109, 78.86.109.219, 67.195.111.172, 66.249.68.172, 69.124.19.40, 70.19.104.117, 163.1.5.153, 74.101.46.216, 81.101.157.163, 67.218.116.131, 88.146.126.140, 66.249.68.152, 72.30.142.161, 90.215.32.25, 66.249.67.229, 65.55.107.180, 66.249.68.233, 69.126.67.0, 99.230.71.26, 68.236.159.89, 87.250.252.241, 174.55.20.197, 68.198.157.154, 67.86.222.156, 71.183.169.150, 65.55.106.185, 75.5.174.60, 75.72.21.27, 72.94.138.35, 68.198.179.199, 68.198.153.18, 64.113.110.130, 65.51.81.22, 66.249.68.219, 66.249.68.166, 123.125.66.110, 65.55.207.100, 66.249.68.143, 67.81.16.150, 161.185.157.22, 69.122.114.101, 65.55.207.50, 209.202.168.74, 69.38.171.162, 66.249.68.137, 66.249.65.109, 66.249.65.119, 67.195.114.243, 66.249.67.162, 69.126.22.232, 69.121.68.144, 65.55.106.208, 67.195.114.42, 75.146.224.25, 65.55.106.234, 119.63.198.24, 64.118.216.202, 65.55.216.10, 67.242.198.215, 65.55.106.232, 193.47.80.50, 65.55.207.97, 123.125.66.131, 65.55.207.99, 74.101.161.53, 66.249.68.204, 65.55.215.76, 75.101.214.102, 174.129.140.41, 65.55.107.182, 65.55.109.245, 63.253.94.114, 67.195.37.188, 207.10.54.2, 65.55.107.179, 69.116.65.134, 38.99.97.126, 65.55.106.135, 75.101.179.97, 67.195.112.114, 67.202.56.158, 76.28.253.238, 65.55.106.114, 76.118.77.117, 75.101.214.118, 75.101.241.159

Oh, the pain

No Lesley E. Visserate, roller derby, Suburbia, Rita Wayward

-1

Oh, the pain

1055

athlete

article

-1

2009-10-04T13:26:00-04:00

Playerpress

Yes

139 5450 I just spent the weekend out with my fellow skaters. Suburbia Roller Derby was out in full force to promote "Whip It" at a local movie theater, and today we skated in the White Plains Columbus Day Parade.  <img width="350" height="263" src="/uploads/Image/Suburban Brawl.jpg" alt="" />  Like roller derby leagues across the country, we try to get involved in community events and volunteer or take part in blood drives. It's a lot in addition to three practices a week, and as a do-it-yourself league we all have other responsibilities to help keep the league running smoothly.  <img width="400" height="267" src="/uploads/Image/paradecop100209.jpg" alt="" /> So no matter where you are, there is probably a<a href="http://wftda.com/leagues"> roller derby league</a> near you. The Boston Derby Dames, for example, are having a championship bout next Saturday. Suburbia is having an intramural bout, the Teacher's Pests vs. the Club Scouts. A lot of leagues are having events in conjunction with Whip It, so it's a great time to check out the real game.    Thanks to Shannon Miller, aka Piglet, for the above photo of Suburban Brawl, and to Mags for the shot of us at the White Plains Columbus Day Parade.   76.97.188.228

2009-10-04T13:26:00-04:00

support-your-local-roller-girls

Yes 66.249.67.136, 66.249.68.248, 72.30.142.117, 174.46.170.180, 216.129.119.40, 65.55.108.242, 68.198.101.63, 72.30.79.93, 67.218.116.162, 67.218.116.131, 72.30.78.232, 98.77.182.115, 67.195.115.163, 66.249.67.72, 66.249.68.245, 67.195.113.245, 66.249.68.227, 65.55.106.206, 66.249.67.238, 76.124.58.147, 38.98.19.67, 67.87.229.197, 67.202.46.241, 66.108.117.177, 67.195.114.233, 66.249.68.242, 67.195.112.109, 213.6.225.25, 66.249.67.174, 69.118.102.66, 98.113.177.26, 75.101.181.32, 67.202.8.198, 65.55.207.78, 68.198.102.116, 74.68.111.45, 85.185.226.65, 66.249.67.206, 67.195.37.172, 174.127.132.10, 74.73.51.234, 165.155.200.83, 66.249.65.199, 66.249.65.200, 84.243.201.167, 65.55.207.77, 67.195.111.172, 67.195.112.159, 170.12.1.30, 63.215.202.234, 66.249.68.230, 96.238.26.210, 66.249.68.172, 163.1.5.153, 66.249.68.178, 88.146.126.140, 66.249.67.229, 66.249.68.233, 69.126.67.0, 87.250.252.241, 204.12.248.194, 65.55.106.115, 174.127.132.155, 69.119.154.208, 64.182.124.212, 119.63.198.54, 68.198.226.107, 66.249.68.137, 66.249.68.166, 66.249.68.143, 65.55.207.119, 69.118.242.36, 69.122.114.101, 209.202.168.74, 38.101.148.126, 65.55.207.135, 65.55.109.106, 99.172.49.100, 75.146.224.25, 67.195.114.42, 174.127.132.134, 65.55.106.136, 65.55.106.158, 67.195.37.188, 67.195.112.114

Support your local roller girls!

No Roller derby, Whip It, Surbubia Roller derby

-1

Support your local roller girls!

1055

athlete

article

-1

2009-09-28T09:56:00-04:00

Playerpress

Yes

167 5365  I say finally, seems like a long time coming because I've been so curious about how our sport would be portrayed.  So a bunch of us put on fishnets and Suburbia jerseys and went to go see "Whip It" during the sneak peek at a local movie theater. Laughed, no crying in derby, and spent Sunday at a league picnic discussing the finer points. <img width="300" height="450" src="/uploads/Image/10323_1247978682852_1330999595_754965_300410_n.jpg" alt="" /> Aside from fearing we will have to explain that, no we don't really punch each other in the face on the track, we liked the story. Drew Barrymore, who directed, also really got the derby aesthetic right. Ellen Page's uniform as a Hurl Scout was exactly the kind of thing we might try to put together. Last year our Botoxic Avengers modified nurses uniforms from a supply store with splattered blood, and accessorized with red fishnets or black and red striped socks. And giant hypodermic needles for the campy intros. There are a few surprises at the end, which I won't reveal here, but at least when we hit New Rochelle's New Roc theater next Saturday afternoon for the general release we will have the scoop on the movie. Thanks to Steve Giacobello for the above picture of a Garden State Roller Girl giving a teammate a whip.        76.97.188.228

2009-09-28T09:56:00-04:00

finally-saw-whip-it

Yes 66.249.68.248, 66.249.67.136, 213.180.209.10, 174.46.170.181, 173.3.119.211, 24.141.71.190, 67.195.115.229, 72.30.78.232, 68.198.101.63, 72.30.79.93, 76.95.151.219, 65.55.108.241, 24.44.83.17, 66.249.67.72, 67.195.115.163, 67.195.113.245, 66.249.68.245, 65.55.207.121, 76.205.130.145, 96.56.48.42, 66.249.68.227, 38.98.19.67, 66.249.67.238, 67.87.229.197, 67.202.34.153, 218.219.149.99, 174.46.170.185, 98.16.8.101, 66.249.68.242, 66.249.67.174, 94.23.238.27, 69.118.102.66, 67.195.112.109, 98.113.177.26, 174.129.81.149, 68.194.250.12, 67.195.114.233, 65.55.106.131, 216.99.112.130, 66.235.124.8, 68.198.102.116, 66.249.67.206, 208.115.111.246, 67.195.112.159, 66.249.65.200, 66.249.65.199, 65.55.106.107, 170.12.1.30, 66.249.68.230, 66.249.68.172, 163.1.5.153, 66.249.67.229, 66.249.68.178, 67.218.116.131, 67.195.111.172, 66.249.68.233, 88.159.73.53, 87.250.252.241, 65.55.207.50, 65.55.106.206, 67.81.16.150, 66.249.68.143, 208.115.111.245, 66.249.65.109, 65.55.106.179, 209.202.168.78, 67.195.114.42, 65.55.106.230, 65.55.110.156, 66.249.68.149, 91.199.50.100, 65.55.106.155, 67.195.112.114, 38.99.97.10

Finally saw Whip It

No Lesley E. Visserate, roller derby, Suburbia, Garden State Roller Girls

-1

Finally saw Whip It

1055

athlete

article

-1

2009-09-24T08:33:00-04:00

Playerpress

Yes

185 5313  "Whip It" isn't the only derby action committed to celluloid There's a lot to like about <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLUTAYJMx3I&feature=related">Kansas City Bomber</a>. It's Raquel Welsh at the height of her gum-snapping glory, where her stunt double is a man in a bad wig. It captures the spirit of roller derby from that era -- campy, co-ed and integrated in the 1950s before some professional sports.   <img width="400" height="598" src="/uploads/Image/SlimFastpic.jpg" alt="" />   So the modern era now has Drew Barrymore's "Whip It," which will be released for a sneak peek this Saturday. A bunch of the women in my league are heading out to see it and we're doing appearances the weekend of its general release, October 2.   Got me thinking about derby on film. <a href="http://www.suburbiarollerderby.com">Suburbia Roller Derby</a> has a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/SRDTV">YouTube channel</a> where we have videos of recent bouts.   And then I came across this, where a musician named Darlington uses derby girls in <a href="http://www.youtube.com/darlingtontelevision">his video, "Love</a>".   The Boardlords used Suburbia skaters for the hysterical <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwvqIgDAJtQ&feature=related">video, "Fountains of Despair."</a> Slim Fast does a great job as the aloof crush.   If you compare the derby from Bomber and the modern videos, you can see how it's changed. First of all, we wear serious padding. Knees, elbows and wrists are covered, and our helmets definitely prevent the hair pulling scenes from Bomber - as well as concussions.   Derby has gotten more serious athletically, but it keeps its theatrical side.     Slim Fast took the above shot of Brawl Stanley putting the black star over Blackstar Heroine's eye before a bout.   76.97.188.228

2009-09-24T08:33:00-04:00

derby-videos

Yes 66.249.68.248, 72.30.142.117, 66.249.67.136, 68.5.184.19, 213.180.209.10, 123.125.66.44, 174.46.170.181, 72.30.79.93, 67.218.116.131, 123.125.66.105, 67.169.108.124, 116.125.141.7, 65.55.106.159, 72.30.78.232, 65.55.108.241, 67.195.113.245, 76.212.183.136, 123.125.66.100, 199.17.95.153, 67.195.115.163, 173.27.143.181, 66.249.67.72, 66.249.68.245, 211.115.109.14, 65.120.148.12, 123.125.66.102, 66.235.124.8, 66.249.68.227, 66.249.67.238, 67.87.229.197, 174.129.81.149, 24.42.26.122, 174.46.170.184, 72.30.142.161, 71.80.101.120, 38.98.19.111, 65.55.207.21, 213.31.11.80, 66.249.68.242, 67.195.112.109, 66.249.67.174, 67.195.114.233, 208.208.47.100, 98.113.177.26, 67.202.34.153, 68.198.102.116, 222.231.42.193, 68.192.253.138, 63.215.202.4, 208.115.111.246, 66.249.67.206, 67.195.37.172, 65.55.106.111, 67.195.112.159, 66.249.65.199, 66.249.65.200, 84.243.201.167, 65.55.108.242, 200.216.86.198, 211.233.79.171, 170.12.1.30, 66.249.68.230, 87.118.122.54, 165.138.69.251, 67.195.111.172, 87.250.252.241, 88.159.73.53, 222.231.42.185, 66.249.68.233, 65.55.106.232, 98.112.140.195, 66.249.68.143, 69.126.22.232, 66.249.68.137, 208.115.111.245, 65.55.207.138, 67.195.114.42, 209.202.168.77, 211.233.79.168, 91.199.50.100, 67.195.112.114, 38.99.97.10, 123.125.66.90, 65.55.207.123

Derby Videos

No Suburbia Roller Derby, WFTDA, Lesley E. Visserate

-1

Derby Videos

1055

athlete

article

-1

2009-09-20T19:42:00-04:00

Playerpress

139 5240  I posted a football update on my Facebook page, and even though I'm friends with lots of sportswriters and fans, two of my derby girls were the first to comment. Chach is a Jets fan and said something, and then Blackstar the Pats fan had to get in her face, in a derby love kind of way. <img width="400" height="153" alt="" src="/uploads/Image/MSRitagrabBullie.jpg" /> My background, I'm a sportswriter and I've covered the NFL for about two seasons. There are some similarities between the two sports. They are both full contact and heavily padded. They are both about using your body to create gaps so that a teammate can gain ground. And I've noticed that some skaters are hockey fans as well. Naturally. There are quite a few derby fans sitting on the couch tonight watching the other sport. Thanks to Marc Santos for the photo of the Suburbia Backyard Bullies.      69.124.46.52

2009-09-20T19:42:00-04:00

football-sunday

Yes 66.249.68.248, 66.249.67.136, 65.55.106.209, 72.30.142.117, 174.46.170.179, 24.74.78.4, 65.55.105.216, 72.30.78.232, 66.249.67.72, 67.195.113.245, 65.55.207.135, 116.30.98.175, 66.249.67.238, 67.87.229.197, 66.249.68.227, 174.129.143.254, 67.195.115.163, 174.46.170.185, 66.249.68.242, 66.249.67.174, 67.195.112.109, 94.23.238.27, 69.118.102.66, 65.55.108.242, 98.113.177.26, 68.198.102.116, 65.55.106.228, 207.29.128.161, 63.215.202.234, 174.127.132.10, 67.195.37.172, 208.115.111.246, 67.195.112.159, 65.55.207.131, 170.12.1.30, 66.249.68.230, 163.1.5.153, 67.218.116.131, 67.195.111.172, 66.249.68.233, 87.250.252.241, 88.159.73.53, 174.127.132.155, 65.55.207.50, 65.55.104.27, 68.198.226.107, 66.249.68.166, 67.81.16.150, 66.249.68.143, 119.63.198.11, 65.55.107.179, 208.115.111.245, 67.195.114.42, 174.127.132.134, 209.202.168.82, 65.55.207.117, 209.202.168.75, 91.199.50.100, 66.249.68.245, 65.55.216.54, 67.195.112.85, 24.57.78.114, 66.249.68.204, 67.195.37.188, 69.116.65.134, 38.99.97.10

Football Sunday

-1

Football Sunday

1055

athlete