WB/Scranton Roller Radicals vs. Atlantic City Boardwalk Brawlers, Sunday, July 18, 7 p.m., Skateaway (610 Blackman St., Wilkes-Barre). Tickets: $10, $3 10 and under. Info: Find WB/Scranton Roller Radicals on Facebook and MySpace.
In September of 2009, the WB/Scranton Roller Radicals skated into a team, hoping to bring awareness to the sport of roller derby and their newly constructed squad.
“We are trying to get a following for the Radicals,” said Erin Johnson or “Dusty Rose,” her derby name. “When we play in Albany, there are 2,000 people there supporting their derby team. That’s what we want to see.”
Johnson is the co-captain of the Roller Radicals along with Captain Tara Jackson “Action Jaxson” and Szandi Davison “VeronikaGettsburger.”
Now, if you have never heard of roller derby or have never been to a bout, here is a short summary of how it’s played.
Roller Derby is certainly not like football or baseball in that there is no ball put into play. Instead, it is more of a race. One skater — called a jammer — has to get through a pack of skaters and pass all of her opponents. If the jammer does not get through, then no point is scored for the team, and vice versa. If the jammer manages to lap everyone, including the other team’s jammer, she has scored a grand slam and earned an extra point.
Besides the intensity and energy these girls put into their bouts, roller derby is made fun by their unique uniforms and team and skater names.
The Roller Radicals’ next bout is scheduled for Sunday, July 18 at Skateaway in Wilkes-Barre. Part of the proceeds will go to the Blue Chip Farms Animal Refuge in Dallas.
Protective equipment is a necessity to play roller derby.
“Helmets, elbow and knee pads, wrist and mouth guards, and quad skates are all required to be worn during a game,” said Jenipher Trude “H.R. Tuf-n-Stuf.” “Some optional equipment can be anything from tailbone protectors to padded shorts.”
Rough isn’t the descriptive word one would chose to describe how intense the bouts or injuries become. Let’s just say rough enough you have to sign a waiver to play roller derby.
“I broke two of three ankle bones and had to get plates and screws in my ankle. I’ve also seen knee injuries, strains, broken femurs; it’s definitely a skate-at-your-own-risk sport, but also an extremely fun one,” said Trude.
In order to play roller derby for the Roller Radicals you must be a minimum of 18 years old. Some other teams require their players to be 21.
“Our youngest is 10 and our oldest is 46,” said Johnson. “That goes to show you can be any age and still compete in roller derby.”
A typical roller derby team has a season from February to October, with one to two games a month, a home game and an away game. They face teams from Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey.
“There can be up to 20 on a team, and on a roster for a bout, 14 girls can play, and the others would be alternates,” said Johnson.
A lot of people have misconceptions about girls who play derby.
“They don’t realize we all have our ‘normal’ lives; we are mothers, wives, professionals, everyone does their own thing,” Johnson said. “We put a lot of effort into what we do, and in this sport you have to be committed. It’s 100 percent real.”
The Roller Radicals are always looking for new recruits and referees. Stop by the Skateaway on Blackman Street in Wilkes-Barre every Tuesday and Thursday night from 9-11 to watch their practices and join in on the fun.
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