1st Blood for the FM Derby Girls

Don’t be a salad, you can really go far, you’re a roller derby star.
–Copperhead
“The game that America forgot,” at least that is what the documentary “Slam” calls roller derby. But it’s back, baby. Back like a proverbial bitch slap to the sports world, clad in skirts, tights, a few pads, and sprinkled with tattoos and piercings.
Since 2001 roller derby has been on the rise, spreading from Texas across the country, even the world. Homegrown teams are popping up in cities like New York, Montreal, Atlanta, Sioux Falls, and Seattle. And now, two new teams, the FM Derby Girls and Winnipeg Roller Derby League, will meet at the Civic Center on Saturday for their first bouts.
For many of the younger generations, roller derby may seem a relatively new phenomenon. Names like ‘Toughie,’ Ann Calvella, Gerry Murray and Josephine “Ma” Bogash just don’t ring the same bells as Babe Ruth or Magic Johnson. Yet these were at one time big names, in a big sport, enthralling audiences across the country.
Leo Seltzer gave roller derby its start in 1935 as a race of thousands of miles around a track, to simulate a transcontinental race. “He [Seltzer] found he was getting more response from injury,” said team member and coach, Lisa Anderson, especially the women’s. Seltzer began to turn the game into something closer to today’s version. In the 1940s and 50s roller derby met with its first peak in popularity. But after the 1970s its momentum began to fade and it almost disappeared.
Today, with the derbies back on the scene, FM Derby Girl Athena Barbital calls it “the biggest feminist movement this country has seen in a long time.” Particularly because it’s a “DIY organization,”  that among other things has taught the participants the inner workings of: putting together a limited liability corporation, event promotion, contracts, taxes, recruiting, and promotions.
The women of the FM Derby Girls were certainly not Stepford Wives before joining the team. They were, and are, strong women working as software engineers, teachers, tattoo artists and students—not to mention that close to half are mothers. But of course a little extra business acumen thrown in with a whole lot of fun never hurt anyone.
On Tuesday, the Derby Girls got their first glimpse of Saturday’s track. They found themselves face to face with the unforgiving concrete floor of the Civic Center, and a dream soon to come true. After the months of hard work, hours of practice, broken limbs and a torn ACL, the Derby Girls’ first match is in sight.

“We have so much invested in this,” said star jammer RusHerella.

The excitement was certainly beginning to show at Tuesday’s practice as the skaters made their first laps around the track. “It’s unlike anything I have ever done,” said Beth Ambrosio, AKA Maulflower.

Speaking of derby names, each girl’s name and number is unique; a registry of derby names ensures this. Websites dedicate themselves to assisting in the process of picking just the right name and alter ego. Maulflower has been occasionally known as a bit of a wallflower, something she isn’t known for being on the track. “Picking a derby name is one of the most difficult things I’ve done,” RusHerella said.  But for Lisa Neuberger, AKA Major D. Fect, no alter-ego is required. “I already have an aggressive personality,” Ms. D. Fect said.

But putting together a roller derby league requires just a bit more than picking out names. Since 2001, when four teams came together to fuel the recent craze, rules were passed on in notebooks, scribbled down on lined paper. That was until the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) came along and put down official rules of the game and membership requirements in 2005.

But still, teams like the FM Derby Girls most prove their worth and ability to start a league of their own before joining the WFTDA. Teams then must figure out how to fund and support their team on their own for several years.

“85% of the money is our own,” Barbital said. When needs have arisen the Derby Girls have cut checks from their personal banks. In time, they hope to find sponsors to help with funding. But money isn’t the only barrier.

Simple operations, seemingly small tasks, can be major roadblocks for teams who have never had to deal with such questions. The expertise of Athena Barbital has helped the FM Derby Girls make it through these issues. Barbital has been involved with roller derby for the past six years, playing for the Sin City Roller Girls in Las Vegas.

Working through all the difficulties has brought the team closer together. Joining the team was a big adjustment, said Anderson, but “all of a sudden I have 25 sisters.” And no matter what problems they face in the future, technical, financial or otherwise, “we will make it work,” Barbital said.
The Derby Girls’ spirits were high as they exited the Civic after practice Tuesday, their first game just four days away. Several cars passed by honking and yelling cheers out the window.

“We already have fans!” Barbital exclaimed.

Just in case you didn’t lose your first tooth in 1945, it might be a good idea to review the basic rules of roller derby, so let’s pay attention, shall we?

The game takes place on a flat, oval track. There are two teams, each with five players: one pivot, three blockers and a jammer. Each match is filled with a series of “jams,” or two-minute races around the track. The purpose during each jam is to score as many points as possible before it ends.

Points are scored when a jammer, who starts 20 feet behind everyone else, passes a blocker, receiving one point for each pass. However, on the first pass through, no points can be scored, but the team’s first jammer to make it past all the opposing team is assigned the title of “Lead Jammer.” A lead jammer can call off the jam at any point during the two minutes if she chooses. For instance if she has made it all the way through, scored four points, and the other team’s jammer has not made it through anyone yet, it might be smart to call off the jam. Jams are called off when the lead jammer places her hands on her hips.

Players can be penalized for various actions in two categories: major and minor penalties. Major penalties can leave a player in a penalty box for a time, much like hockey. Players can also be ejected. Common actions that can result in penalties are elbowing, tripping, blocks to the face, and blocks to the back.

Bouts are an hour long.

If you still just don’t get it, check out tinyurl.com/hpr-rollerderby for an animated tutorial.
Fresh meat is always needed when trying to put together a roller derby league. Not only are volunteers needed for ref’ing, but the girls hope to bring in at least 80 more to form four teams. Practices are held every Tuesday and Thursday from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Anyone interested is highly encouraged to check it out.

As for the game on Saturday, tickets are $12, doors open at 7 p.m. and the bout begins at 8. The player to watch? RusHeralla, who the team calls their most aggressive skater and has skated much of her life, was recruited at Skateland.

For more information got to http://www.fmderbygirls.com

Questions and comments: aaron .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

INFO:

What: FM Derby Girls vs Winnipeg Roller Derby League
Where: Fargo Civic Center
When: Sat, Nov 7, 7 p.m.
How much: $7-$12, children under 5 free