Girls on Skates

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of watching the Honky Tonk Heartbreakers win their 3rd straight roller derby championship in a tough contest with the Hotrod Honeys. The event was well-attended by loud and enthusiastic fans. Much beer was consumed.

I had no idea what I was getting into. Mad Science suggested we go as a belated birthday present and - since I am always open to new ways to celebrate my birthday and girls in short skirts and skates struck me as good an idea as any - I agreed. The fact that a friend of Linda's is on one of the above referenced teams (no, I am not saying which one, for I am sworn to secrecy) was an extra incentive.

What is roller derby? Two teams skate around an oval track (a flat track in this case) in rounds called "jams". A team scores points when one designated member of the team, called a "jammer", manages to pass every member of the opposing team. The jammer earns a point for her team for each opponent she passes without going out of bounds. Each team also has three blockers and a pivot whose sole purpose is to prevent the jammers from passing. The blockers and pivots form a pack and, at those speeds, the pack can be a dangerous place to be. The first jammer to completely pass the opposing team becomes the lead jammer - a strategically important position because a lead jammer has the right to call an end to a jam. This ability allows the lead jammer to attempt more passes or - if called at the right time - to prevent the other team's jammer from completing passes. Each game lasts twenty minutes. The team with the most points wins. See this link for official rules.

And yes, there is a lot of falling and destruction and mayhem. A good time was had by all!