Playing with (roller) dolls

The Denver Roller Dolls 2009 Season Opener

A Denver Roller Dolls bout is about the only place where you will hear the announcer say something like “Micshovin smashes into Gretchen McWrecken,” “Angela Death of The Green Barrettes takes the lead jamming position,” or “We have an emergency at the referee booth, could some one please get us an Irish whiskey?”

A sport founded decades ago, roller derby provides a fast-paced, hard-hitting, yet beautifully feminine skating experience.  The Denver Roller Dolls live up to any expectations you may have and more. A nationally respected league, the Denver club is made up of four teams: the Bad Apples, Green Barrettes, Shotgun Betties, and Mile High Club.

On March 28, 2009 at the Fillmore Auditorium, the dolls opened up their season with a double-header face off featuring the Green Barrettes vs. Shotgun Betties and the Bad Apples taking on Fort Collins.

The Bad Apples romped on Fort Collins to take away a win, while the Shotgun Betties had their work cut out for them, barely scraping a win over the feisty Green Barrettes.

The girls will be out on eight wheels again April 25 at the Fillmore Auditorium.

Don’t quite get how the rules roll?

The Skate Down: Roller Derby 101 (Coutesy of the DenverRollerDolls.org)

Time: Three twenty-minute periods.

Set-up: Periods are broken into “Jams,” lasting up to two minutes. Five players from each team start out grouped at the starting line and a “jammer” from each team is staggered 33 feet behind them. The five up front are broken into 2 pivots and 3 blockers. They take off at the first whistle, and the jammers kick out after a second whistle blow.

Scoring: Scoring begins when the jammers pass the pack for the second time, accruing one point per opposing team member passed. Blockers play offense and defense simultaneously, blocking the opposing jammer while helping their own jammer score.

Can— Skaters may:
Hit from the side
Use the arm above the elbow to block
Apply torso or hip checks
Whip or push a teammate

Can’t— Skaters may not:
Block with elbows, forearms, hands or head
Engage a skater more than 20 feet in front of or behind the pack
Intentionally trip another skater
Hit, push or block from behind
Hold, grab, scratch, clothesline or display other unsportswomanlike conduct