Strawberries, Wheels Forever
The Women Of The Pacific Roller Derby League Include A Lawyer And Ph.D. Candidate - But When They’re Skating, Their Alter Egos Emerge. They fly around the rink clad in graffiti-laced helmets, short skirts and fishnet stockings while sending their friends
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team in July, the Edward Jones employee has dropped 33 pounds.
“I was in the worst shape of my life,” says Crinella, who at the age of 39 is the team’s senior member. “I didn’t change my diet one bit. It has been all roller derby. I’ve joined gyms and tried NutriSystem. I’ve tried dieting and it doesn’t keep you motivated. This is something I want to do. It’s amazing exercise. It’s great for shaping and great for endurance, and it really encourages you to take better care of yourself.”
Roller derby may have disappeared from television, but the sport - and the gals emphasize this is a sport, and not the wrestling on roller skates that pervaded in the 1970s - has never gone away. Safety equipment is required, and rules are enforced.
“That’s what we have referees for. You have to follow the rules, and there are girls who try to get away with stuff, and many of them do get away with stuff,” says Hancock.
So when promoters were no longer able to make money showing some wild-eyed amazon taking a cheap shot at Sweet Suzy Creme Cheese, performers simply took over the sport and began skating for joy and competition in leagues both amateur and professional. The site www.twoevils.org, where skaters go to register their team names and individual identities so no two are alike, lists 547 teams in the United States alone, not to mention in dozens of countries and on nearly every continent. No one has yet founded the Antarctic Annie-mals.
While the “Cheap Seats” version of the sport is hard to find, the image still persists, to the consternation of those involved, even though with the names and costumes, a bit of the theater remains.
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“I hate to say that, because we try hard to go against the theater of it,” says Hancock. “I guess it’s an element of who we are, but maybe not who we are in everyday life. It’s who we are when we want to get rid of stress or when we want to be young at heart.”
The history of roller derby actually harkens back to the late 1880s, when skaters would compete in multiday contests that tested their stamina. But it wasn’t until the 1930s - when promoter and legendary sportswriter Damon Runyan changed the sport from a contest of endurance to one of physicality and team competition - did it grow into a contest enjoyed by millions of spectators all over the country and one that was a television staple for decades.
The PDS competes under the rules set up by the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association, with a website that says the goal is to grow the sport by “facilitating the development of athletic ability, sportswomanship and goodwill among member leagues.” The WFTD-style of play differs from the more-familiar version mainly used in the arena. The roller derby of television is played on banked tracks that are costly to build, with locations for construction hard to find. Flat tracks leagues allow for competition in nearly any setting and with almost no cost. Beyond that, the action is the same. It is the Jammers’job to pass the Blockers to score points for their team. The Blockers are the defense, who attempt to halt the opposing Jammers from scoring while assisting their own. Those who venture too close and often sent down.
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“It’s a full-contact sport,” says Hancock pridefully. “One of our girls broke her ankle. There are a lot of injuries involved, but we are fully padded and there are rules to the game that keep us somewhat safe. But we do fall down, and we do get a lot of bruises. We’re slamming into each other!”
One thing that separates roller derby from other sports is it is almost entirely played, run, owned and promoted by women, a fact that makes it even more attractive to its participants.
“It’s nice to be more than just a player - you’re part of management. You get to do all kinds of things, and you’re not just an athlete, but you get to build the league itself,” says Hancock.
The success of the women’s game has spurred interest in men who had been relegated to the sidelines as referees or coaches. Men’s leagues are growing, but currently most are still tied to women’s teams. Such is the power of, well, girl power.
“Roller derby has given me the confidence that I can hold my own,” says Hancock. “Now, if some man comes up to me and tries to take my purse or mess with me, I feel I can protect myself much more than before I started roller derby.”
No better indicator of the growth of the sport can probably be found than in the announcement that the WFTDA has signed a deal with the video game development company Frozen Code Base to create a game for roller derby fans. No timeline has been set for a possible release, but an audience exists.
The PRD debuted in February and is looking for members. Any woman 21 or over is welcomed, even if she has never skated before. All she needs is the desire, safety equipment and a bit of attitude.
“When you think about hanging out with a group of women, what women do is kind of boring for derby types. It’s just not dangerous or exciting, I guess. We like being known for being rough and tough and that we can kick your ass if we want to,” laughs Hancock.
Think she’s joking? Maybe.
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