Lethal Leggy Ladies Love Leveling Rivals

Ever heard a guy say, “Women don’t belong on four wheels!” Next time, just answer, “you’re right, they are much better on eight. Wanna play?”
         
  
Roller Derby kicks butt, and Evansville has got TWO TEAMS! Most people didn’t even know we had one team let alone two! And no, they don’t bout each other – it’s more fun to find raw meat from other parts of the country to mangle… Both of the teams in Evansville are made up of tough girls who are lethal on a pair of roller skates and both are committed to helping their community. Read on and check out what each team is all about!

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Demolition City Roller Derby: Dynamite Dolls

www.demolitioncityrollerderby.com

dyna2.jpg
Photography |
Mark McCoy

Who they are:

The Dynamite Dolls began in 2007 when Maully Olly Oxenfree moved to Evansville. She had been on a Roller Derby team in Massachusetts. Maully and Josh (now, the coach) started a myspace and began recruiting girls. From there it took off.

The DD have over 30 girls in attendance who are either on the A-Team or the B-Team.

Was the first league in Evansville (founding league).

Home 2-1

Season 2-3

What They Do:

Skate on a flat track

Go through a skill set, and have written rules and penalties.

Has traveled to IN, KY, and OH for bouts.

Girls are close and help each other out!

dynamite dolls.jpg
Photography | Mark McCoy

Giving:

They have donated about $10,000 this year; $16,000 in their first year to organizations such as:

Albion Fellows

Holly House

Wish Upon a Star

Veterans’ Association

Donate $2,200 at each event

Want to join?

Demolition City does not require new recruits to have any previous skating or derby skills. All we ask is that you bring a positive attitude, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn. To compete you must be a female and at least 18 years old. Also, you must be able to meet minimum attendance requirements, pay monthly dues, and purchase all necessary gear. You initially pay for skates, pads and mouth-guard. recruit@demolitioncityrollerderby.com

Where they play:

Home bouts at the Coliseum

August 23, 2008

HOME

SWM Roller Girls  

September 20, 2008

HOME

Melt-Down Derby Dames

October 26, 2008

AWAY

Rollergirls of Central Kentucky

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R.O.S.I

(Roller Girls of Southern Indiana)

www.rollergirlsofsin.com

rosi.jpg
Photography | Mark McCoy

Who they are:

Began in Jan of 2007; some girls had been skating and they became great friends. It went from there.

R.O.S.I has 25 girls in the league.

They have two home teams and one All-Star Team

Navy Team-Shipwreck Sallys

Army Team-Battle Bettys

What they do:

WFTDA Skillset

Skate on a flat-track

Proud and proving women are strong!

Giving:

R.O.S.I is a Non-Profit group and they donate to different organizations including:

Adopt-A-Soldier

VHS

Shriners

rosi2.jpg
Photography | Mark McCoy

Want to join?!

R.O.S.I. is currently recruiting skaters of all skill-levels, so even if you have not skated in years, they will help train you to be the best possible roller girl you can be! If you join they supply skates and pads for you to try (sorry, have to get your own mouth guard). info@rollergirlsofsin.com 

Where they play:

Home bouts at Swonder

August 9, 2008

HOME
Intra-League Bout in Evansville

October 19, 2008

AWAY
ROSI vs. Dixie Derby Girls vs Huntsville

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OTHER STUFF:

I didn’t know a whole lot about Roller Derby before I did this article. I really didn’t even realize there were two teams in Evansville until I became so confused researching this article that I became completely cross eyed. (Not really…) Here’s some other stuff that I found out…


When you are ready to bout, you get to pick your name, but there is a national registry of Roller Derby names! Check them out at: http://www.twoevils.org/rollergirls                

If you want to look like these vixens, you’re going to have to get creative in the fashion department. Exotica, Army Surplus stores, sourpussclothing.com, and Goodwill are a good place to start.

It’s tougher than what it was back in its heyday. It’s less violent but more sport. The flat track allows them to go faster than the inclined track.

These girls come from all walks of life, from nurses to dancers, bakers to graphic designers – these girls do it all!

Chesty Copperpot loves the Goonies!

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HOW DO YOU PLAY?

Roller derby bout (or game) is played between two teams with 5 skaters each. Both teams have: 1 pivot, 3 blockers, and 1 jammer on the track at a time. Bouts consist of 3 twenty-minute periods.

Jammers
Are usually the fastest and score points by passing opposing blockers in the pack. Jammers are designated with a star helmet cover.

Pivots
Skate in the front and control the speed around the track. They are the last line of defense against an opposing jammer and are designated by a striped helmet cover.

Blockers
Make up the majority of the pack and stop the opposing jammer from getting through the pack by providing the hard hits.

 

On the first long whistle the jam starts with blockers and pivots from both teams skating in a pack with the objective of stopping the opposing jammer. On two short whistles the jammers start sprinting through the pack trying to gain “lead jammer” status. The first jammer to make it through the pack in-bounds and without penalties becomes lead jammer and may call off the jam at any time. It is possible for no lead jammer to be established if neither jammer makes it through the pack legally. After the initial lap through the pack, jammers score points for each opposing skater passed.

Each twenty minute period has an unlimited number of jams that last for 2 minutes unless called off by the lead jammer. In between jams, skaters have 30 seconds to line up for the next, if skaters are not in place at the start of the jam, the team skates short.

-Courtesy of the Demolition City Roller Derby: Dynamite Dolls