FIRECRACKERS ON QUADS SAVOR RETURN TO TITLE BOUT

by Magilla Guerilla, ARRG Bout Co-Announcer - Photos by Bob Dunnell

THE ROAD TO CHAIFETZ - THE M-80s

11/5/11 VS. SMASHINISTAS 159-133 (W)

12/3/11 VS. STUNT DEVILS 136-132 (L)

1/14/12 VS. RSA 153-84 (W)

2/4/12 PLAYOFF VS. SMASHINISTAS 182-127 (W)

In ancient Greek mythology, the Lernaean Hydra was a reptilian beast with many heads made even fiercer because every time you chopped off one of its heads, two more heads grew back into place. The M-80s are much like that ancient myth, stop one of their jammers and two more equally talented jammers charge into place to punish you.

In what looks to be a tremendous matchup of a rivalry as old as the league and a re-match to a classic regular season bout, the M-80s plan to overwhelm the Stunt Devils and crown themselves as ARRG 2012 League Champions this Saturday night at Chaifetz Arena.

Black Market Baby

This team is arguably the most versatile team in the entire local field and they boast a plethora of jammer talent, able to run out seven legitimate jammers each with the ability to put points on the board in bunches.

If you think you can get into a shoot out with the M-80 attack, they will run you down and outscore you. If you shift your tactics and try to play defense, they will gladly take on that challenge and get physical. Once you make a mistake, they respond with a scoring run and force you to loosen up your defense, putting you right back where you started.

The M-80s’ play an aggressive and passionate style and skater Black Market Baby is already excited for the championship and shares with us a bit of what we might expect from this bout:

“Fun, fun, fun. I expect hard hits. I expect everyone just going for it full blast. Everyone’s going to be dripping with sweat and just bust our…you know whats. I hope by 10 pm on April 28 that I will just screaming my guts out.”

Nightmare

Boomba has already gone “full blast” this season and is currently the league’s scoring leader, racking up 231 points as a jammer through four bouts. Even with a large potential jammer rotation, she is likely to see significant time on the line along with fellow scorers EnYa Nightmare and Munchausen by Foxy.

Beyond those three jammers, it will be interesting to see how the M-80s want to attack the Stunt Devils. There has been a tendency to use May Require Stitches in the second half of bouts or when the team needs a scoring spark, but they can counter at any time with the very physical jamming of Rhino-Might or quick, elusive skaters like Science Friction and The Siege.

All throughout the regular season this team has been able to press the right buttons with their versatile roster and they will need to continue to make the right choices against their opponent if they want to win the championship.

Friction & The Siege

The M-80s’ blockers will be generally anchored by Friction and Stitches, two agile skaters with a knack for key positional blocking and effective jammer stops. They set their teammates up for the big hits and they will be supported by veteran skaters like Rhino, The Siege, Sue Render and Bareknuckle Smack along with a blend of rookie and newly drafted teammates.

For some skaters, this is the first time they have ever played in a championship bout, so nerves could be a factor. This team also lead the Stunt Devils in their regular season meeting, but surrendered a last jam barrage of points that cost them a perfect season with a four-point loss.  Rhino Might will play in her first local championship bout and is already thinking about the big night:

“I always get nervous before the first whistle and then I’m ready to go. I really like hitting people. It’s just like an MMA fighter. You don’t know you’re in a fight until you get punched. I am ready to go, but I am nervous.”

The M-80s' Wall

If there is a potential weakness for this team, it is the very passion and energy that makes them such a challenge to face. That emotion can backfire on them and a tightly-refereed bout could spell the difference in winning and losing.

The M-80s proudly don their red and they have a firecracker for a mascot, so it should be no surprise that this team can be a little combustible.

If you can somehow frustrate their blockers and jammers, penalties will follow. This is a crack in their armor that once utilized could provide the edge the opposition needs. To the M-80s credit, it has only happened to their detriment once during the regular season. Of course that one time was in the aforementioned dramatic Stunt Devil victory, so this will be something to watch once again.

Stitches, ARRG’s 2011 Rookie of the Year, offers up a winning formula for her team and maybe even a secret weapon no one has considered:

“Focus. Hard work. Everyone’s head in the game…and candy.”

For the fans, this intense matchup for Championship Night at Chaifetz on Saturday night will be some candy everyone can enjoy. The M-80s bring a fiery, fast and furious attack to the track and they are determined to get some revenge against their rival and end the night as champions.

THE M-80s ROSTER

40 Black Market Baby    23 Science Friction    74 BareKnuckle Smack    A-10 Blue Ridge Riot      ZZZ EnYa Nightmare   9mm The Ginger Assassin   3^RD Kimical Burn   618 Madam Moonstruck    28/2 May Require Stitches    26 Munchausen By Foxy     530 Rhino-Might    50‘ The Siege              45 rpm Sue Render   761 mph The Sound Of Violence

SATURDAY, APRIL 28 - 7 PM  CHAIFETZ ARENA

The seating chart for ARRG April 28 at Chaifetz Arena.

Prices for advance tickets for the double header are as follows:

$20 for VIP Trackside seating (adults only,) $15 for bowl seating and $6 bowl seating for children 10 and under.

Fans can purchase their tickets for the double header in the following ways:

- In advance in person at the Chaifetz Arena box office (Hours: Monday -Friday 9 am - 5 pm, Saturday 10 am - 2 pm. NOTE: SLU students can get $3 off tickets when purchased at the box office.

-  In advance online through Metrotix (additional fee applies) via the Chaifetz Arena website link RIGHT HERE.

-  In person on event night at the Chaifetz Arena box office. (NOTE: Adult ticket prices will increase to $25 floor & $20 bowl at the door on event night and seating may not be available in all sections depending on advance sales.)

COMING UP TOMORROW AT 8 AM FOR ARRG’s “30n30″: Our championship week continues as we feature the firecrackers’ opposition at Chaifetz! After sitting out last season’s title tilt after back-to-back championships, the top seed of the post-season impressed in all bouts this local season. It resulted in an undefeated record heading into Saturday night. Utilizing a top-tier jamming rotation and a veteran group of blockers as lynchpins, a legacy franchise of the league is one win away from its third title in four seasons. On Thursday, a look at the Stunt Devils.

ARRG’s “30n30″ is a daily feature that examines different aspects of the Arch Rival Roller Girls - St. Louis’ first female flat-track roller derby franchise. In this section every morning at 8 AM for the entire month of April, a new feature will be presented.

Other installments of ARRG’s “30n30″: PRE-SERIES SET-UP (1) EVOLUTION (2) THE DREAM TO PLAY AT CHAIFETZ (3) LOCAL SEASON RECAP (4) ARRG ALL-STARS (5) SAINT LUNACHIX (6) ROOKIE RIVALS (7) REFEREES & NSOs (8) PRE-BOUT RITUALS (9) POST-BOUT RITUALS (10) GUERILLA UNCAGED - NO MINORS (11) ARRG VS. MEMPHIS PREVIEW (12) CHARITY (13) CHAIFETZ PUBLICITY (14) McWHEELY PHOTOGRAPHY (15) GUERILLA UNCAGED - DERBY NAMES (16) ARRG ALL-STARS VS. MEMPHIS RECAP (17) JEERLEADERS (18) SKATING MOMS (19) LUNACHIX VS. SIRG PREVIEW (20) GUERILLA UNCAGED - DERBY INJURIES (21) CHAIFETZ ANTICIPATION (22) LUNACHIX VS. SIRG RECAP (23) REBEL SKATE ALLIANCE (24) SMASHINISTAS

CAMO-CLAD TROOPS WANT VICTORY IN THIRD PLACE BOUT

by Magilla Guerilla, ARRG Bout Co-Announcer - Photos by Bob Dunnell

THE ROAD TO CHAIFETZ - THE SMASHINISTAS

11/5/11 VS. M-80s 159-133 (L)

12/3/11 VS. RSA 123-102 (W)

1/14/12 VS. STUNT DEVILS 147-80 (L)

2/4/12 PLAYOFF VS. M-80s 182-127 (L)

The adjective mercurial is defined as: “characterized by rapid and unpredictable changeableness of mood”. This might be the most apt way to describe the 2011-12 local season for the Smashinistas.

However, ARRG’s 2012 Championship Night at Chaifetz Arena this Saturday will be an opportunity for this group to put that notion to rest and end the season by beating the Rebel Skate Alliance for the second time this year.

It isn’t easy to really quantify the 2012 Smashinista season. At times, they displayed breathtaking jamming and unstoppable walls. Other times, they seemed to be out of sorts and struggling to adapt to the opposition.

Dallis

These contrasts happened at different times in a bout, so it wasn’t just different opponents or off nights, it was something harder to define.

Regardless, the team competed hard in every bout and ironically looked their best in a tough loss to the M-80s in the playoff round. They made steady progress and growth as the season progressed, even if the wins were illusive.

This is a very talented group of skaters that is still seeking a signature win in 2012 and there is every indication that they are looking to make this happen Saturday night. The Educator, veteran skater of the Smashinistas, knows that her team has what it takes to win:

“We just have to keep our heads straight and play our game. We have good strategy. We’re back up to full-strength. All our injuries are healed and As long as we want it and we play our game and are cohesive and do what we need to do I think we will come away with a victory.”

The Educator

Their jammer rotation looks solid, yet still open to some flexibility. With the addition of rookie standout Brickyard to the team, they now have three strong jammers to take the line. Brickyard joins The Educator and Downtown Dallis as the bulk of the Smashinista offensive attack.

However, this team can still draw on experienced jammers like Boom Boom Pow, The Forecloser and Sly Davanita, should the need arise. They have not shown a tendency to deviate much from a three jammer rotation, but with everything on the line in the consolation game, anything is possible.

The Smashinistas have a skilled and veteran laden group of blockers to throw at the Rebel Skate Alliance. With the addition of Brickyard as a jammer, they have been able to really solidify their blocking rotation and pack composition, so expect effective blocking at the outset.

Veteran skaters Shimmy Hoffa, Eli Wallop, Polkadot Yr Eyeout, Boom Boom Pow, Shell Shoxx, Punches Pileup and The Forecloser all have a wealth of talent to draw from and they will be complimented by newly drafted rookies throughout the bout. This versatile group blends hard hitting, strong positional blocking and experience across the board.

Smashies' Wall

If the blockers play with trust in each other, they have the ability to stop any jammer in the league while leaving open lanes for their own jammers. The challenge of establishing solid defensive walls, while also helping out their own jammers has been one of the bigger problems facing the Smashinistas this season.

Smashinista blocker Shell Shoxx feels her team has focused on their pack work in practice and believes they have what it takes to win this bout:

“With the help of our coaches, we have been really working on our quick defense to offense game, communication in the pack, and cleaning up our penalties as well. We intend to bring the heat down on RSA by playing smartly as a cohesive unit, being aggressive, and making our wall impenetrable.”

Brickyard

One of the biggest roadblocks facing the Smashinistas all season long has been penalties. In their first bout of the regular season, they went toe-to-toe with the high powered offense of the M-80s, but it was excessive and poorly timed penalties that ended the affair in defeat.

Since that bout, they have reduced their penalty minutes, so they are trending in the right direction.

Wallop & PolkaDot

Penalties are the great x-factor for any roller derby bout and the ladies in camo will have to show discipline to keep this from cropping up once again. The Rebel Skate Alliance’s success is predicated by matching up well with full strength packs.

By winning the penalty “battle” between the packs, the Smashinistas will have the chance to eliminate the rebel’s strength.

In the first bout against RSA, the Smashinistas struggled to adapt to the strategy of their opponents at the outset. However, they corrected this for an explosive second half and they now have a blueprint to work with on how to win this bout.

Executing their own strategy while remaining adaptive for the wrinkles RSA might throw at them will be necessary to earn a victory.

The consolation bout on Championship Night has an air of redemption about it as both teams have a little something to prove before we close out the 2012 local season.

The Smashinistas have a chance to finish strongly, but it will take teamwork and trust throughout their roster to continue their regular season trend of improvement and discipline

THE SMASHINISTAS ROSTER

101 Downtown Dallis  299 Shimmy Hoffa  90% Boom Boom Pow  400 Brickyard   7 The Educator   520 Eli Wallop   CH 13 The Forecloser   25:17 Harsha Punishment  4CF Mali Bruz Barbie               42 Megalodominator  0 Polkadot yr Eyeout   1NR1 Punches Pileup  314 Shell Shoxx   T3N Sly Davanita

SATURDAY, APRIL 28 - 7 PM  CHAIFETZ ARENA

The seating chart for ARRG April 28 at Chaifetz Arena.

Prices for advance tickets for the double header are as follows:

$20 for VIP Trackside seating (adults only,) $15 for bowl seating and $6 bowl seating for children 10 and under.

Fans can purchase their tickets for the double header in the following ways:

- In advance in person at the Chaifetz Arena box office (Hours: Monday -Friday 9 am - 5 pm, Saturday 10 am - 2 pm. NOTE: SLU students can get $3 off tickets when purchased at the box office.

-  In advance online through Metrotix (additional fee applies) via the Chaifetz Arena website link RIGHT HERE.

-  In person on event night at the Chaifetz Arena box office. (NOTE: Adult ticket prices will increase to $25 floor & $20 bowl at the door on event night and seating may not be available in all sections depending on advance sales.)

COMING UP TOMORROW AT 8 AM FOR ARRG’s “30n30″: Our championship week continues as we feature one of the two teams in the Championship bout! A team that in the 2011 season saved its best for last utilized the momentum to make a hard charge for the title tilt. High point totals and a stingy defense characterized a team that was hungry to reclaim past success. Containing a balance of skilled veterans who have prior championship experience and a crop of hungry rookie, a complete effort this Saturday night will give them their first trophy hoist in over three years. On Wednesday, a look at the M-80s.

ARRG’s “30n30″ is a daily feature that examines different aspects of the Arch Rival Roller Girls - St. Louis’ first female flat-track roller derby franchise. In this section every morning at 8 AM for the entire month of April, a new feature will be presented.

Other installments of ARRG’s “30n30″: PRE-SERIES SET-UP (1) EVOLUTION (2) THE DREAM TO PLAY AT CHAIFETZ (3) LOCAL SEASON RECAP (4) ARRG ALL-STARS (5) SAINT LUNACHIX (6) ROOKIE RIVALS (7) REFEREES & NSOs (8) PRE-BOUT RITUALS (9) POST-BOUT RITUALS (10) GUERILLA UNCAGED - NO MINORS (11) ARRG VS. MEMPHIS PREVIEW (12) CHARITY (13) CHAIFETZ PUBLICITY (14) McWHEELY PHOTOGRAPHY (15) GUERILLA UNCAGED - DERBY NAMES (16) ARRG ALL-STARS VS. MEMPHIS RECAP (17) JEERLEADERS (18) SKATING MOMS (19) LUNACHIX VS. SIRG PREVIEW (20) GUERILLA UNCAGED - DERBY INJURIES (21) CHAIFETZ ANTICIPATION (22) LUNACHIX VS. SIRG RECAP (23) REBEL SKATE ALLIANCE

DEFENDING CHAMPS WANT TO FINISH ON HIGH NOTE

by Magilla Guerilla, ARRG Bout Co-Announcer - Photos by Bob Dunnell

THE ROAD TO CHAIFETZ - REBEL SKATE ALLIANCE

11/5/11 VS. STUNT DEVILS 112-77 (L)

12/3/11 VS. SMASHINISITAS 123-102 (L)

1/14/12 VS. M-80s 153-94 (L)

2/4/12 PLAYOFF VS. STUNT DEVILS  212-60 (L)

The consolation bout set for the ARRG 2012 Local Championships at Chaifetz Arena this Saturday night will be a tale of possible redemption for both teams involved and there is no question that the Rebel Skate Alliance is focused on ending its very challenging regular season on a high note.

Their meteoric championship rise last season was contrasted by an equally meteoric crash resulting in an injury-plagued winless campaign.

It really felt like “the empire struck back” this time after such an amazing debut the year prior.

However, these “rebel scum” never gave up and put forth a tremendous effort for each bout as they dealt with injuries, mishaps, transfers and new teammates all with the target of defending champion placed squarely on their back.

Beastley and Bunny

It was a frustrating year for this team, but they might be coming together and getting healthy just in time under the bright lights of Championship Night.

RSA co-captain Party Foul, one of many Rebels bitten by the injury bug, reflects on the challenges of the regular season:

“I think we really need to come together as a team and show that cohesion as a unit. We have so many new skaters. We’ve had people that have only been skating for us for a couple of months. With so many people gone and so many people coming back (from injury), it’s been a really weird year.”

All season long this team has shown a great degree of flexibility and creativity in each of their bouts. With a rotating roster and with the loss of so much of what gave them their identity in their 2011 championship run, RSA was really evolving and growing on the fly all season long.

The result of this tumultuous year is a degree of unpredictability that will make them challenging to prepare for Saturday night.

Diamond & Betrayal

Who will jam for this team and who will play as a blocker or who will do a little of both?

In all honesty, we won’t really know what tricks are up this team’s sleeve until the first whistle.

During the regular season, RSA used Foul, Stabby McCutcha, Pink Diamond, Beaster Bunny, Chewblocka and the Oregon Betrayal in their jammer rotation. Couple this with the recently drafted addition of Eveready - a skater that has already jammed in recent months with the Rookie Rivals and St. Lunachix - and this team has several legitimate options at the jammer position.

This team blocking core will be anchored by veterans Chewblocka, Ginny Beastley, Bertha Venus and Eaux Baby with support from rookies Deuce Bomber and Warpath O. Jen.

McCutcha has displayed great closing speed and open space positional blocking, so she can operate as a dual jamming and blocking weapon. Foul is equally versatile on offense and defense and will likely spend some time in the team’s pivot position when she joins the pack and is not jamming.

Chewblocka

One of the keys against the Smashinistas will be picking the right jammers and blocker combinations, something that will rely on the trust and team bonding RSA has worked hard to keep intact through so many rosters changes.

Foul believes that it will take that trust and teamwork to earn a win:

“I think that we just really have to gel as a team.  I really want those new skaters to gain that sense of confidence that they should have about themselves. People who might be unsure about themselves. I don’t want them to feel that. I want them to feel how awesome they are and how far they’ve come in the past year.

People have really had to step up and show where they want to be in this sport and how to bring their skills up to the next level. They have to because we really need them out there.”

The Rebel Skate Alliance played its best bout of the regular season against the Smashinistas, leading the camo-clad skaters at halftime. However, penalties and the opposition’s effective adaptation to RSA tactics resulted in an eventual 21 point loss, their closest outcome of the regular season.

There is plenty of opportunity to turn that around in this rematch, as long as the Rebels can keep the opposition on their toes for the entire 60 minutes and settle on an effective jammer rotation.

They have played with heart and passion all year, nonplussed by the many challenges they could not control. Expect smart derby and solid strategy from RSA as this is not a team that will come to a bout unprepared for their opponent.

With improved health and the additional practice time logged together since the end of the regular season, the Rebel Skate Alliance looks to play spoiler and end their season on a high note at Chaifetz this Saturday night.

RSA ROSTER

OOP5 Party Foul 88 Beaster Bunny c.1482 Bertha Venus 1138 Chewblocka #2 Deuce Bomber 5×5 Eaux Baby 247 Eveready 9 ¾ Ginny Beastley 33 The Oregon Betrayal 4C Pink Diamond 211 Stabby McCutcha 328 Warpath O. Jen

SATURDAY, APRIL 28 - 7 PM  CHAIFETZ ARENA

The seating chart for ARRG April 28 at Chaifetz Arena.

Prices for advance tickets for the double header are as follows:

$20 for VIP Trackside seating (adults only,) $15 for bowl seating and $6 bowl seating for children 10 and under.

Fans can purchase their tickets for the double header in the following ways:

- In advance in person at the Chaifetz Arena box office (Hours: Monday -Friday 9 am - 5 pm, Saturday 10 am - 2 pm. NOTE: SLU students can get $3 off tickets when purchased at the box office.

-  In advance online through Metrotix (additional fee applies) via the Chaifetz Arena website link RIGHT HERE.

-  In person on event night at the Chaifetz Arena box office. (NOTE: Adult ticket prices will increase to $25 floor & $20 bowl at the door on event night and seating may not be available in all sections depending on advance sales.)

COMING UP TOMORROW AT 8 AM FOR ARRG’s “30n30″: Our championship week coverage continues as we feature RSA’s opponents in the third place bout! They were favored in last season’s consolation bout, but unfortunately fell short. They don’t want a repeat performance.The camo-clad troops come to Chaifetz with a very misleading 1-3 record. This team of veterans found itself in numerous dogfights in the local bouts. A few key rookie acquisitions down the stretch bolstered the line-up. On Tuesday, a look at the Smashinistas.

ARRG’s “30n30″ is a daily feature that examines different aspects of the Arch Rival Roller Girls - St. Louis’ first female flat-track roller derby franchise. In this section every morning at 8 AM for the entire month of April, a new feature will be presented.

Other installments of ARRG’s “30n30″: PRE-SERIES SET-UP (1) EVOLUTION (2) THE DREAM TO PLAY AT CHAIFETZ (3) LOCAL SEASON RECAP (4) ARRG ALL-STARS (5) SAINT LUNACHIX (6) ROOKIE RIVALS (7) REFEREES & NSOs (8) PRE-BOUT RITUALS (9) POST-BOUT RITUALS (10) GUERILLA UNCAGED - NO MINORS (11) ARRG VS. MEMPHIS PREVIEW (12) CHARITY (13) CHAIFETZ PUBLICITY (14) McWHEELY PHOTOGRAPHY (15) GUERILLA UNCAGED - DERBY NAMES (16) ARRG ALL-STARS VS. MEMPHIS RECAP (17) JEERLEADERS (18) SKATING MOMS (19) LUNACHIX VS. SIRG PREVIEW (20) GUERILLA UNCAGED - DERBY INJURIES (21) CHAIFETZ ANTICIPATION (22) LUNACHIX VS. SIRG RECAP

B-TEAM THUMPS VISITORS IN 205-POINT VICTORY

by the Grand Poobah, ARRG Bout Co-Announcer

(BALLWIN, MO) The Saint Lunachix - arguably one of the strongest flat-track derby “b-teams” in the Midwest - continued its winning ways this weekend by outscoring its opponent by a ratio of 5-to-1.

The Arch Rival Roller Girls’ b-team travel squad outmuscled the Southern Illinois Roller Girls 255-50 Saturday night at Midwest Sport Hockey in front of 300.

The 205-point win kept the Lunachix 2012 record perfect at 3-0.

“I think the Lunachix are one of the best ‘b-teams’ in the country,” said Lunachix blocker Rhino-Might following the win. “I think our team is capable of playing some of the ‘A teams’ in the region really well.”

Such was the case Saturday night as Southern Illinois - one of the newest additions to the WFTDA North Central region - brought its “A-squad” for its third meeting in league’s history against the Lunachix.

The end result of the match-up replicated the overwhelming wins that the Lunachix had accumulated in two bouts prior.

“I think we did really well with our pack work, we kept our penalties low and our girls worked together well,” said Lunachix jammer EnYa Nightmare of the dominance. “We knew what we were getting into and we worked hard to continue that roll.”

And just like the prior two meetings between the two squads, the locals posted points early and often.

Morgan Le Faetal would take advantage of a power jam off the opening whistle and rack up a 16-pointer to give the Chix the early advantage.

Munchausen by Foxy followed with 7-4 jam to extend the lead to 23-4. Following a 4-4 stalemate, LaFaetal posted a five-pointer to extend the lead to 32-8 with 23:15 left.

Then after SIRG’S Ak-40 Devin scored one to cut the gap to 32-9, the locals would go on a 53-0 run.

To begin the rally, the Chix capitalized on a power jam one-third into the period as Biohazard Betty notched a baker’s dozen to extend the local’s lead to 48-9 with 18:45 left in the period. LeFaetal added a 20-point strike on the next jam to increase the Chix lead to 68-9. Foxy’s trey at 13:40 was followed by another 13 scored by EnYa Nightmare, which extended the lead to 85-9.

“In any game, we like to get the momentum going early and we really don’t want to hold back,” said Rhino-Might of the rally. “A 53-0 run - it couldn’t have gone any better than that.”

SIRG’s Krush Groove would break the visitor’s drought by scoring four, concluding the 53-point Chix uncontested run with the scoreboard reading 85-9. Angry about the streak being broken, Foxy posted 17 points two jams later to help the Chix break triple digits, 102-15 with 5:20 remaining in the period.

“Even when we’re up like that, we keep doing what we’re doing,” said Nightmare. “We don’t want to change it up at all.”

A telling sign of the bout play would be seen in the latter third of the first period. The stubborn blocking schematic of Bareknuckle Smack, Sue Render, The Oregon Betrayal and Shell Shoxx put the clamp on SIRG jammer Laryn Hill deep. This allowed Foxy to score 13 non-lead points to extend the Lunachix lead to 127-18 with 1:05 left.

Nightmare put the exclamation point on the first half with a 24-point strike, which gave the Lunachix a 151-18 lead at intermission.

To start the second half, the Lunachix kept the pedal to the metal and launched a 32-0 rally. Nightmare’s four was followed by an 18-point strike from LeFaetal to extend the lead to 173-18 with 28:10 left. Betty used a power jam to score 10 that extended the lead to 155 points, finish the run, and give the hosts a 183-18 lead.

The Lunachix pressure continued in numerous ways as the second half progressed. With 17:45 left, Chix blocker Rhino-Might received a “star pass” from jammer Biohazard Betty. The rumblin’ rollin’ rookie posted 13 and extended the Chix advantage to 202-26.

“I know as a pivot that it’s my job to expect it, but I really wasn’t really expecting it,” said Rhino-Might of the star-pass. “Betty made the call. She thought it was right. I was a little shocked at first, but then I thought ‘Holy hell, I gotta do it.’”

Midway through the period, Foxy added a 17-pointer off a power jam to extend the Chix lead to 225-26 with 14:25 left.

The Lunachix outscored Southern Illinois in the second half 104-37 to coast to the 205-point win and pick up their third win of the season.

“We had a plan going in,” says Nightmare, who finished with 78 points unofficially. “We had jammers that wanted all defense. We had blockers that wanted offense. The girls on our team have such good synergy together.”

Foxy added 64 for the Lunachix while LeFaetal collected 60.

Whether it’s the high-scoring offense or the stubborn defense, the Saint Lunachix knows that the sum of all the parts is what’s keeping that momentum intact in 2012.

“We must be doing something right,” says Rhino-Might.

The Lunachix next play on Saturday, May 5 at Midwest Sport Hockey against the Bleeding Heartland Code Blue Assassins prior to the ARRG All-Stars match-up with the Bleeding Heartland Flatliners. Advance discount tickets for the double header are on sale now online at Brown Paper Tickets by going to this LINK RIGHT HERE.

UNOFFICIAL SCORING -

SAINT LUNACHIX (255): EnYa Nightmare 78, Munchausen by Foxy 64, Morgan LaFaetal 60, Biohazard Betty 27, Rhino-Might 13, The Oregon Betrayal 3, Eveready 3.

COMING UP TOMORROW AT 8 AM FOR ARRG’s “30n30″: Championship week approaches us! The four local squads prepare for the big tilt Saturday night at Chaifetz Arena. In the upcoming week, we’ll look at each squad indvidiually and show you what to expect from each squad. ARRG Bout Co-Announcer Magilla Guerilla will take us down the stretch in the series and look at what makes each team tick and what each team needs to do to pull out a win Saturday night. On Monday, we feature the Rebel Skate Alliance.

ARRG’s “30n30″ is a daily feature that examines different aspects of the Arch Rival Roller Girls - St. Louis’ first female flat-track roller derby franchise. In this section every morning at 8 AM for the entire month of April, a new feature will be presented.

Other installments of ARRG’s “30n30″: PRE-SERIES SET-UP (1) EVOLUTION (2) THE DREAM TO PLAY AT CHAIFETZ (3) LOCAL SEASON RECAP (4) ARRG ALL-STARS (5) SAINT LUNACHIX (6) ROOKIE RIVALS (7) REFEREES & NSOs (8) PRE-BOUT RITUALS (9) POST-BOUT RITUALS (10) GUERILLA UNCAGED - NO MINORS (11) ARRG VS. MEMPHIS PREVIEW (12) CHARITY (13) CHAIFETZ PUBLICITY (14) McWHEELY PHOTOGRAPHY (15) GUERILLA UNCAGED - DERBY NAMES (16) ARRG ALL-STARS VS. MEMPHIS RECAP (17) JEERLEADERS (18) SKATING MOMS (19) LUNACHIX VS. SIRG PREVIEW (20) GUERILLA UNCAGED - DERBY INJURIES (21) CHAIFETZ ANTICIPATION

LEAGUE PREPARES FOR HISTORICAL EVENT

by the Grand Poobah, ARRG Bout Co-Announcer

“People are getting excited about roller derby.”

That’s a recent reply sent via e-mail by Downtown Dallis of the Arch Rival Roller Girls. And one would get the feeling that she has a big smile on her face when she types this.

Her sentiments echo those by the rest of the women’s flat-track roller league as they prepare for the 2012 ARRG Local Championships, held one week from tonight at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis.

And for the co-captain of the Smashinistas, whose squad faces the Rebel Skate Alliance in the league’s third place bout to lead off the evening, next Saturday can’t come soon enough.

“I am stoked and so proud to be a member of ARRG as we play at Chaifetz,” says Dallis.”We are taking risks, the public is becoming more aware of derby culture and it’s going to be one heck of a fun night.”

Fun might be an understatement. Since its founding in 2005, the league had always had the desire to hold a regulation bout within the city boundaries. For some, next Saturday night has been a six-plus year wait.

“Our goal was always to play in St. Louis City and after all of these years and some blood, sweat and tears, we finally made it,” says ARRG Jeerleader Miss Lippy, whose tenure with the league started as a skater in 2005. “Yes, there are in fact tears in roller derby. I don’t care what anyone says!”

The passions hold true for all skaters, regardless of length of tenure.

“Playing at Chaifetz will definitely be a highlight of my derby career,” says M-80s’ jammer/blocker Munchausen by Foxy. “I started playing on a team around March of 2010 and I like the fact that I’ve gotten to experience the growth of this league from one venue to the next. Playing derby in the city limits of St. Louis is what this league has been waiting for.

“This is ARRG history in the making and I get to be a part of it!”

Even those unfamiliar with the home of the St. Louis Billikens know that the league is making a monumental entry into its portfolio.

“I have personally never been to Chaifetz Arena, but from what I understand, this is a really big venue,” says Rebel Skate Alliance blocker/jammer Eveready. “I am really stoked to be playing in such a large and popular place. Being at Chaifetz is another milestone I can mark down on my roller derby ‘to do’ list and ARRG is graciously guiding me down the right avenues for success.”

A packed house at Chaifetz. Photo credit: SLU University

For Rebel Skate Alliance jammer/blocker Beaster Bunny, playing at Chaifetz will bring back past feelings experienced with her former league, the Windy City Rollers.

“It will be more like a throwback to my days in Chicago since WCR plays at the UIC Pavilion,” says the skater. “I imagine I’ll feel a little more ‘at home’ at Chaifetz than at Queeny Park. I’m really looking forward to it!”

And the league knows it has a lot on its plate at the 8,000-seat venue. As commuters on I-40 pass the facility, they see a large-sized banner promoting the event on the building’s exterior.

“As a city resident, I think this is where ARRG should be playing,” says RSA blocker The Oregon Betrayal. “I am extremely excited to play in such a great venue during my rookie season. I appreciate all of the hard work that all of the women in ARRG, past and present, have done to make this night of derby possible.”

“Playing at Chaifetz is huge to me,” says Stunt Devils’ blocker Toe Stop Believin’. “It feels like we’re taking it to the next level by bouting at a next-level venue. It’s really exciting to be playing our championship bout there.”

“Hopefully we can get our fans excited to watch us play there and generate more fans to continue to keep St. Louis derby growing,” she adds. “Who knows how big we can grow enthusiasm for the sport?”

For some of the newer skaters, the evening will remind them of the literal sweat equity invested in a sport that has meant so much personally.

“Derby has given me a confidence and competitiveness that I never knew was in me,” says Smashinistas blocker Harsha Punishment. “I want to thank my team and the other players that have spent time coaching me by playing my heart out. It’s my first championship and I feel so honored to be playing with the Smashies and against RSA.”

For one ARRG skater, emotions will run high as it marks the end of her four-year skating career.

“Playing at Chaifetz will be a monumental point in my life,” says the Smashinistas Punches PileUp. “I will be retiring after the end of the home season, so this will be my last game. It will represent how far the league, and myself as an individual, have come. Making such a huge upgrade in venue will also mean that nobody knows what the future holds… and the possibilities are endless.”

“It will also be the first home game without (referee) Fojammi, and that will be bittersweet,” she adds.

The league continues its heavy push of promotion as the countdown continues. ARRG is scheduled to appear on Fox2 News at 8 AM this Wednesday and KPLR 11 News at Noon this Friday.

Anticipation? You better believe it’s there for ARRG.

“On April 28, there’s going to be a million different emotions rushing over me,” says the M-80s’ Foxy, who team plays in the championship bout against the Stunt Devils. “I already know that I’m going to be proud of my team, no matter the outcome. “

“I’m sure the entire league will feel a sense of accomplishment after our first two successful bouts at Chaifetz.”

Prices for advance tickets for the double header are as follows:

$20 for VIP Trackside seating (adults only,) $15 for bowl seating and $6 bowl seating for children 10 and under.

Fans can purchase their tickets for the double header in the following ways:

- In advance in person at the Chaifetz Arena box office (Hours: Monday -Friday 9 am - 5 pm, Saturday 10 am - 2 pm. NOTE: SLU students can get $3 off tickets when purchased at the box office.

-  In advance online through Metrotix (additional fee applies) via the Chaifetz Arena website link RIGHT HERE.

The seating chart for ARRG April 28 at Chaifetz Arena.

-  In person on event night at the Chaifetz Arena box office. (NOTE: Adult ticket prices will increase to $25 floor & $20 bowl at the door on event night and seating may not be available in all sections depending on advance sales.)

Some quickie facts about Chaifetz Arena for ARRG’s April 28 event:

DOORS: The Chaifetz Arena will open its doors at 6 pm on championship night and the third place bout will begin promptly at 7 pm. The title bout will immediately follow.

PARKING: ARRG recommends SLU’s Olive garage, located at North East corner of Olive and Compton. There will be signs in front of the covered, secure garage that will indicate that it is SLU-designated parking. Once you park inside the 1,800 vehicle garage, a mere 3-minute walk gets you inside Chaifetz. Handicap parking is available at this garage. Cost of parking at this garage will be $6.

DESIGNATED DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP: This area is located on Compton Avenue, moving south, which is located on the east side of Chaifetz Arena. This will be marked with orange cones.

CONCESSIONS - There are multiple stands located around the arena. Outside food and drink will not be allowed to be brought into Chaifetz.

ALCOHOL - Alcohol and beer will be served to those 21 years and older, and everyone may be required to show proof of age.  No alcohol will be allowed to be brought in or out of the Arena.

PHOTOGRAPHY - Not only is photography allowed at the April 28 ARRG event, it is also encouraged. This is your chance to personally document local derby history.

MERCHANDISE - ARRG merchandise - both local team and league - will be available for purchase at Chaifetz. Complimentary programs featuring rosters and bout information will be available.

BANNER & SIGNS - Both are welcomed at Chaifetz Arena as long as it does not disrupt the view or experience of any other fan and the content is tasteful.  Banners and signs are subject to search and may be confiscated if messages are inappropriate.  Banner poles and sign sticks are not permitted.

BAG CHECK - All bags (camera bags, purses, backpacks, etc) will be subject to search upon entering Chaifetz Arena.  Please have your bag ready for search before you get to the gate to accelerate the process.

DRESS CODE - For all Chaifetz Arena events, there is no specific dress code.  However, any inappropriate clothing may be asked to be covered at any time.

For a complete look of FAQ about Chaifetz Arena, including guest services, go to the Chaifetz link RIGHT HERE!

COMING UP TOMORROW AT 8 AM FOR ARRG’s “30n30″: The league’s “b-team” of travelers - the Saint Lunachix - host the Southern Illinois Roller Girls tonight at 7pm at Midwest Sport Hockey. They look to keep their perfect record intact. On Sunday, we’ll have a full recap of the bout.

ARRG’s “30n30″ is a daily feature that examines different aspects of the Arch Rival Roller Girls - St. Louis’ first female flat-track roller derby franchise. In this section every morning at 8 AM for the entire month of April, a new feature will be presented.

SKATERS PLAY WITH PAIN FOR THE LOVE OF THE SPORT

by Magilla Guerilla, ARRG Bout Co-Announcer, Photos by Bob Dunnell

There is a part of derby that is almost a little taboo to talk about, a little like ‘Fight Club.’ It exists, but everyone just tries not to think about it or mention it too much. This of course is the great grim specter of injuries.

Unfortunately, injuries are a part of sports. We all know it when we watch and we all hope for the best, but they are unavoidable. Roller derby is a full contact sport. But even with pads, helmets and rules to protect everyone on the track, these skaters can and do suffer very serious injuries.

Some might say that injuries are the price you “pay to play” and I couldn’t argue with that and neither would any competitive athlete. However, this isn’t a professional sport paying top dollar to its athletes. This isn’t the college athlete that gets hurt and can just focus on rehabilitation and education or the high school athlete living at home with mom and dad.

The Arch Rival Roller Girls are professional women with jobs, children and other responsibilities beyond the track. Imagine having to deal with a broken leg or having to arrange your life around knee surgery while also juggling the rest of your life at the same time.

I don’t know about you, but as I have grown older, I have tried to avoid full contact as much as possible. Not these ladies.

There isn’t a medical staff working with these skaters to help get them into rehabilitation programs and there isn’t always guaranteed spot on the team waiting for them when they return. To recover and return to the sport they love, these skaters have to do it all by themselves.

Consider all of this in a sport that on bout night competes for a full sixty minutes’ worth of continuous clock time - sans timeouts and intermission - with a mere :30 interval between jams.

A regulation bout has an average of forty individual jams, equaling roughly forty-plus minutes of high-impact play in the aforementioned sixty. That’s two-thirds spent by athletes skating and hitting - at every imaginable speed, angle and impact - within the confines of a bout.

During the course of a local regular season, an ARRG skater participates in these bouts once a month. If the skater is a part of an ARRG travel squad, her amount increases to at least two if not three bouts a month on average.

Add to that the numerous hours of practice and scrimmages within the span of a week, one can see that a lot of track time is logged by an ARRG skater, regardless of her tenure with the league.

Its quality time spent with the exhilarating nature of derby…and conversely time exposed to its physically-demanding pitfalls.

Bumps and bruises are commonplace in the sport. In fact, some consider the yellowish-purple “badges of honor” a component of participation. If one doesn’t have a bruise the shape and color of a burnt blueberry waffle, then they haven’t played the sport.

But at times, these badges morph into tourniquets.

Longtime fans of derby have seen scenes all too familiar. A team on bout night that sports on the end of their bench a collection of skaters that looks like the proverbial “Spirit of ‘76.” Sometimes, they have slings. Sometimes, it’s crutches.

A quick perusal of the ARRG bios here at archrivalrollergirls.com and you’ll find the following injuries:

Broken finger and busted eyebrow

Jacked-up tailbone & dislocated kneecap

Tendonitis

Torn Vastis Intermedius

Torn MCL

ACL Reconstructive Surgery

…and those are just the things that were reported! There’s many more incidents and injuries that were not disclosed.

The study of injuries related to the sport was examined in 2008 by the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association via electronic survey. Their studies revealed that - out of 1,070 respondents - 574 reported an injury that kept them from participation on one or more occasions.

That’s 46% of the skaters, folks. Of those 574 respondents, almost half were due to knee injury.

Keep in mind that the data of the survey was gathered four years ago. Given the growth of participants in the sport internationally, progression in the protective gear worn and advancements in training methods, have the percentages changed over time?

In a more recent survey conducted by the University of Utah Orthopedic Center - hailed at the time as “the most comprehensive study of roller derby injuries to date” - researchers received electronic responses from, once again, 1,000-plus WFTDA skaters.

Ultimately, the manuscript was delayed in its release. When asked in March 2011 by an online blogger - a microbiologist who coincidentally skates with the Twin City Derby Girls of Champaign, IL - as to the progress of the findings, the response was unfortunately ironic.

Said the responder,“…our statistician sustained a derby-related concussion and we had to wait for her to recover.” I think it is safe to say that sums up the study just as effectively as any presentation of statistics.

The good news is that skaters don’t take the track without some support. Per WFTDA regulation, a derby event must have a minimum of “two licensed or certified medical professionals with expertise in emergency and urgent medical care.”

For ARRG locally, that service is provided by the West County EMS & Fire Protection District, who has attended bouts since the league’s move to Midwest Sport Hockey in Ballwin, MO in April 2011.

Everyone feels the same about the services of these emergency responders, we love to have them at the bout and we never want to see them in action.

There are no guarantees in life, save the usual clichés, but the women of roller derby don’t worry about that when it comes time for a bout. They attack and hit and skate with the same passion as they did from the first time they laced up their quads. You can’t worry about the things you can’t control.

This is a full contact sport, played at full speed and on roller skates. Sure, something might happen to a skater, but I can tell you that no one is thinking about that by the time that first whistle blows. If the unfortunate does take place, the next thought in a skater’s mind is “when will I get to skate again?”

Derby girls are fearless athletes and they wouldn’t have it any other way.  Neither would I.

COMING UP TOMORROW AT 8 AM FOR ARRG’s “30n30″: The countdown to Chaifetz continues. The league has been busy with spreading the word about the 2012 ARRG Local Championships on Saturday, April 28. From big, giant banners to media appearances, the quads are tightening up for the big push. We’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest and tell you what’s ahead for the final week. On Saturday, we’ll catch up with news and notes from the league as championship week approaches.

ARRG’s “30n30″ is a daily feature that examines different aspects of the Arch Rival Roller Girls - St. Louis’ first female flat-track roller derby franchise. In this section every morning at 8 AM for the entire month of April, a new feature will be presented.

Other installments of ARRG’s “30n30″: PRE-SERIES SET-UP (1) EVOLUTION (2) THE DREAM TO PLAY AT CHAIFETZ (3) LOCAL SEASON RECAP (4) ARRG ALL-STARS (5) SAINT LUNACHIX (6) ROOKIE RIVALS (7) REFEREES & NSOs (8) PRE-BOUT RITUALS (9) POST-BOUT RITUALS (10) GUERILLA UNCAGED - NO MINORS (11) ARRG VS. MEMPHIS PREVIEW (12) CHARITY (13) CHAIFETZ PUBLICITY (14) McWHEELY PHOTOGRAPHY (15) GUERILLA UNCAGED - DERBY NAMES (16) ARRG ALL-STARS VS. MEMPHIS RECAP (17) JEERLEADERS (18) SKATING MOMS (19) LUNACHIX VS. SIRG PREVIEW

SKATER’S FIRST BOUT VS. FORMER LEAGUE ON SATURDAY

by the Grand Poobah, ARRG Bout Co-Announcer - Photos by Bob Dunnell

St. Louis flat-track action featuring the Arch Rival Roller Girls returns this Saturday with the league’s official “B-team” - the Saint Lunachix.

Already 2-0 in the 2012 travel season, the squad looks to keep that perfect record intact against one of the newest members of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association.

The Chix face the Southern Illinois Roller Girls of Marion, IL at Midwest Sport Hockey (570 Weidman, Ballwin, MO). The bout takes place prior to the STLGateKeepers men’s derby interleague match-up between the Dogtown Rockets and the South Grand Slammers.

Munchausen by Foxy and the Saint Lunachix host Southern Illinois this Saturday.

Doors for the doubleheader open at 6:30 pm. The Saint Lunachix/SIRG bout begins at 7 pm.

Tickets for the event are $10 general admission. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online in advance at www.stlgatekeepers.com.

The contest’s complexion is interesting, for ARRG’s “B-team” will face SIRG’s “A-team.” However, it’s a challenge that Chix are ready and willing to accept.

“The Lunachix won’t settle for anything but a win against SIRG,” says jammer/blocker Munchausen by Foxy. “We’ve been working really hard, coming up with and perfecting new strategies. Some of our practices consist of scrimmaging against the ARRG All-Stars. That really prepares us for tougher teams that we may face in the future.”

“It’s amazing to me how much stronger the Lunachix get every year,” she adds.

This season’s Lunachix bouts have shown why the squad has established themselves as one of the top-tier b-teams in the WFTDA North Central region. The Chix scored a 179-80 victory over Madison Roller Derby’s Team Unicorn on March 10 at Midwest Sport Hockey. In that bout, veteran jammer EnYa Nightmare scored 89 points to lead the locals while Foxy and newcomer Brickyard netted 40 and 30, respectively.

One week later, the Lunachix travelled to Cincinnati and posted an 84-79 victory over CRG’s Violent Lambs in a bout that went down to the wire. Changes to the jammer rotation resulted in solid efforts by Chix newcomers Beaster Bunny and Eveready.

Lunachix look to keep record perfect!

All five aforementioned jammers will once again have their opportunity to don the star this Saturday night at Midwest Sport Hockey. Also look for captain Boom Boom Pow, Morgan LeFaetal, The Forecloser and Rhino Might to also get chances at contributing in the scoring column.

“First of all, wanting the win (against SIRG) is really an understatement,” Eveready says. “I love roller derby, win or lose, but skating away with the win is super-satisfying. I am truly grateful for all lessons the Chix have taught me and for continuing to do so.”

“I really enjoy playing with this team and have a great time working with each and every Lunachix player,” she adds.

Blockers up front for the Chix include veterans Bareknuckle Smack, Polka Dot YrEyeout, Ginny Beastly, Deathica Steele as well as Biohazard Betty, Shell Shoxx, the Oregon Betrayal and a host of others.

The talented roster faces a perpetually improving squad that has reached historical milestones in 2012.

The Southern Illinois Roller Girls became a fully-chartered member of the WFTDA North Central region in January, a by-product of derby’s expansion into smaller Midwestern markets.

When founded in 2009, SIRG had to go through the same peaks and pitfalls that the Arch Rival Roller Girls had to go through in its respective early years.

Now: Eveready with ARRG in 2012.

Then: Eveready with SIRG in 2009.

And when SIRG finally became WFTDA-chartered after a long and emotional journey, there was one Saint Lunachick that was extremely overjoyed. Eveready played for Southern Illinois for a pair of seasons prior to her transfer to ARRG.

“It was such a long road with so many complications about mentor leagues and loads of paperwork for the board,” she fondly recalls of her SIRG tenure. “The feeling of accomplishment was (and still is) quite overwhelming. Those last few months before making it, I was injured. But I still felt that I played a role in helping them rise to this status by my efforts, playing at prior bouts and coaching while still on the injured list.”

“I am so happy for them to be finally on the road to where they are striving to be,” she adds.

At center, Eveready faces the Lunachix in 2010.

This will be the first time she has seen her Southern Illinoisan sistren since she left in 2011.

“Sadly, I have not yet been to a SIRG bout since my transfer,” Eveready says. “I love SIRG and I have open invitation from the girls to visit and practice anytime. However, since I have so many obligations at home and with ARRG, I have not found any extra time to go hang out with them.”

“I miss them all terribly, though,” she adds.

As they had yet to play two WFTDA-sanctioned bouts when the last set of league rankings were released last quarter, Southern Illinois (0-3) is currently unranked in the 30-league North Central region. With three sanctioned bouts in 2012 now under their belts, that status will change when the next set of rankings are tabulated in a few weeks.

The rollers from Williamson County dropped two bouts to WFTDA South Central #25 Springfield (MO) in March. Prior to that, SIRG was handed a 147-39 February setback by Champaign, IL’s Twin City Derby Girls, who joined the North Central region last month.

This Saturday, the downstate Illinois league that Eveready helped cultivate will be her opposition.

“Surreal is a great way to describe the feeling, but I think that the experience will be quite similar to any scrimmaging we had done before my transfer,” she says. “(It) will be a breath of fresh air to be on the track with my SIRG girls again. Knowing the team so well will be interesting to say the least.”

SIRG's Krush Groove. Photo credit: SIRG

But Eveready is quick to point out that being a Lunachick who’s personally knowledgeable of the opposition doesn’t equate to an unfair edge for the locals.

“I think it may be to my disadvantage (somewhat) as a player on an opposing team, considering they know my skating habits and have more knowledge about how I play,” she says. “This could also work in my favor as well.”

The two squads have faced each other twice before, with the Gateway rollers winning rather convincingly. The Chix bested SIRG 200-34 in October 2010 and 205-49 last July.

Eveready recalls the first battle in Marion in 2010 as a starter for SIRG.

“I must say that this was one of the greatest learning experiences in my roller derby history,” she says. “The Chix had such a different style of play and that bout taught me that we could be much more aggressive in play and I am grateful for that. I remember the harder and more strategically placed hits, and how fast their jammers were, especially Mighty Mighty Boston and EnYa Nightmare.”

When looking at SIRG’s line-up for Saturday’s bout, Eveready finds it hard to single out a couple of players to watch.

“You get so many great girls with SIRG,” she says “It’s really hard not to name every single player to be aware of.” She expects solid performances from Krush Groove - a multi-year vet who brings aggressive jamming and formidable blocking to the table - as well as speedster Laryn Kill.

“Pancake Puppy Sundae will always keep you guessing and juking, whether she is jamming or blocking,” Eveready says. “Splatter will keep you on your toes, as will Cassablockya and Stalker Texas Ranger.”

Come Saturday, the quest to remain perfect in the record column is the missive for the Saint Lunachix. They know they must be at their best to win their third straight.

“SIRG was still a developing league the last time we played them and a lot can be accomplished in a year,” says Foxy. “I expect them to come out swinging. We don’t want to take them or any other team for granted and assume we’re just going to pummel them.”

“The Chix are gonna work hard for every point.”

Following this Saturday’s bout, the Lunachix host the Bleeding Heartland Code Blue Assassins on Saturday, May 5 at Midwest Sport Hockey. The bout will be prior to the ARRG All-Stars vs. Bleeding Heartland Flatliners main event. Tickets for the doubleheader are now on sale at archrivalrollergirls.com.

COMING UP TOMORROW AT 8 AM FOR ARRG’s “30n30″: It’s the skater’s worst fear. The physical demands of a sport that combines both speed and power can sometimes lead to the unfortunate. Human nature tells us to compete when hurt, but when one physically is unable to compete, a feeling of helplessness ensues when watching others. ARRG Bout Co-announcer Magilla Guerilla takes a look at an unfortunate aspect of competition and shows you some national statistics that may surprise you.  On Friday, “Guerilla Uncaged” examines derby injuries.

ARRG’s “30n30″ is a daily feature that examines different aspects of the Arch Rival Roller Girls - St. Louis’ first female flat-track roller derby franchise. In this section every morning at 8 AM for the entire month of April, a new feature will be presented.

Other installments of ARRG’s “30n30″: PRE-SERIES SET-UP (1) EVOLUTION (2) THE DREAM TO PLAY AT CHAIFETZ (3) LOCAL SEASON RECAP (4) ARRG ALL-STARS (5) SAINT LUNACHIX (6) ROOKIE RIVALS (7) REFEREES & NSOs (8) PRE-BOUT RITUALS (9) POST-BOUT RITUALS (10) GUERILLA UNCAGED - NO MINORS (11) ARRG VS. MEMPHIS PREVIEW (12) CHARITY (13) CHAIFETZ PUBLICITY (14) McWHEELY PHOTOGRAPHY (15) GUERILLA UNCAGED - DERBY NAMES (16) ARRG ALL-STARS VS. MEMPHIS RECAP (17) JEERLEADERS (18) SKATING MOMS

TANDEM JUGGLES LIFE ON AND OFF THE FLAT-TRACK

by the Grand Poobah, ARRG Bout Co-Announcer - Photos by Bob Dunnell

Although their respective lengths of tenure with the Arch Rival Roller Girls are different, skaters Bareknuckle Smack and The Sound of Violence have quite a lot in common.

From left, ARRG skaters Bareknuckle Smack and The Sound of Violence

First, the obvious upon sight on bout night. Both are members of the M-80s, who will play in the title bout of the 2012 ARRG Local Championships at Chaifetz Arena on Saturday, April 28.

Both are blockers by trade. You won’t find them in the individual scoring column when the statistics are crunched at the end of the night. But that doesn’t matter to them. When their jammers score, they technically score as well, for they have provided the open holes that allow their team to accumulate points.

Peel off another layer and you’ll see that they’re both extremely active in the operation of the league outside of bout night. The former serves on ARRG’s Board of Directors. The latter is the lynchpin of the league’s safety committee.

And there’s one additional bond they share: they perpetually juggle the responsibilities of playing derby while raising children.

They are just two of the ten rostered skaters in the league that proudly share dual titles - “athlete” and “mom.”

Bareknuckle Smack

For the M-80s’ teammates, their love for the sport began prior to the age when children reach double digits.

“I loved watching roller derby on television when I was a kid,” says Smack, mother of four.  ”It was a ritual to tune into (KPLR) Channel 11 and watch derby and ‘Wrestling at the Chase.’”

“I saw the old banked-track derby on television a couple of times 30 years ago,” adds Violence, mother of two. “It was the roller skates that caught my eye.”

And as they both matured, they individually participated in various athletic disciplines in order to maintain sharp and in shape.

“I have always searched for healthy addictions,” says Violence. “Something active that I could dive into and help with my commitment level. I played a lot of tennis, soccer and was a casual runner until my knees started to give out.”

Due to the wear and tear that her body went through with recreational sports, and as one who didn’t care for the mundane that one often finds in a traditional fitness center, Violence sought an alternative.

“I lived two blocks from a roller skating rink for a couple years in Tucson, Arizona,” she says. “I would get my ‘workouts’ by roller skating. It was so easy because it was fun. It never felt like a workout.”

The Sound of Violence

The passion for wheels blossomed when Violence moved to St. Louis and witnessed her first ARRG bout in June 2010.

“I had never seen a bout at the point,” she says.  ”I thought it would be a sport I could commit to because it sounded like fun. Again, I have always looked for the right activities that I could commit to. I have to love what I am doing.”

Meanwhile for Smack, her entry into ARRG was the direct result of one daughter’s participation in a different type of activity.

“I met (retired ARRG skater) Midwife Crisis at a Girl Scouts meeting in 2007,” Smack says.”I asked her some questions about how to join, but did not have the time. I talked all of my friends’ ears off about joining for about a year.”

A pair of ARRG bout tickets won by a friend at a raffle resulted in Smack’s firsthand exposure to the resurging sport in May 2008. She took her two youngest daughters with her to watch the league play a WFTDA-sanctioned bout against Northwest Arkansas.

And as fate would have it, the two matriarchs who once helped peddle Thin Mints reunited.

“Midwife remembered me,” Smack says. “She skated up, gave me a big hug and said she was glad that I made it to a bout. I was, too.”

And as the doubleheader of derby progressed, Smack mentioned to her daughters that she might be interested in playing herself one day. They immediately supported the thought.

“Midwife invited me to her house to try on her old starter skates,” she says. “I had not had my own pair since I was 13. They fitted perfectly!  Fifty bucks exchanged hands and the rest is history.”

Smack would scrimmage and eventually make the M-80s’ roster in the 2009 season. Along with competing with her local squad, the blocker has been a member of the Saint Lunachix - ARRG’s travelling b-team - for three seasons.

When Violence - the formal recreational skater - began scrimmaging with the league in 2010, she had to overcome the physical and mental obstacles that all derby newbies experience.

“Because my experience was in skating and not hitting, I had to get over a big mental hurdle to actually give and take hits,” she says. “I didn’t put myself in the first available draft because I wasn’t ready. I knew I had some mental training that I had to do before I could be useful as a teammate.”

She became Smack’s official teammate after being drafted by the M-80s in 2011.

“The day after the draft, I had an M-80’s “unity brow” in red permanent marker on my forehead at work,” says Violence, who also skates with the Lunachix. “My boss and co-worker made a sign hanging in my office in that read ‘Congrats to the Sound of Violence on becoming an M-80!’”

For both skaters, competing on the flat-track provides escapism from a hectic personal schedule.

“I am a parent, a grandmother, an employee and a student,” Smack says. “At times, life seems more difficult than for others, but I keep on going.  Where there is a will there is a way and I LOVE THIS SPORT!”

“I can have a bad day and skating makes everything feel better,” she adds. “When you’re out on the track, nothing matters for that time. “

“I get to go to a place away from my busy mom life,” adds Violence. “There is rarely a time when I don’t have 100 things going on in my head. When I am at practice or bouting, it’s 100% derby. It’s nice to only have one thing to think about. ”

And it helps that they have the encouragement of their respective families to keep the internal derby spirit rolling.

“It’s extremely important,” Smack said. “My children are very supportive. My younger girls used to come more and would walk out with my team. One is a teenager now and the other a tween, so they tend to want to hang out with their friends on the weekends. But they still get excited and usually tell me to ‘kick some ass.’”

“I have gained some more ‘family members’ while in derby that definitely have my back,” she adds. “I am grateful for all of them.”

“Without my husband’s support, I couldn’t do this!” adds Violence.

Violence leaves it up to her children if they want to come and see her play. They’ll take her up on it about half the time.

And there was one moment when one didn’t want mom to continue altogether.

“At one point, my son asked me to stop,” Violence reflects. “I have had to do a lot of balancing with a family. After my son’s comment, I have tried to limit my derby activities to two or three times a week.”

“I try to involve them as much as possible with my decisions about derby and my schedule,” she adds. “I make efforts to take my kids to someplace special on the weekends…just for them. On Sundays, I make the kid’s lunches for the week and I cook big buckets of food so the kids can have ‘mom-made’ dinners on the nights that I have practice.”

The continued dedication to their children is what keeps the skating moms - all ten of them - involved in their derby careers. And just like the unconditional love that they have for their children, the moms will have their families’ unconditional support in ten days at ARRG’s premiere event at Chaifetz.

But one does have to pose the question, especially to the M-80s’ duo that have daughters in their respective households, would they encourage their offspring to participate in roller derby one day and potentially become a mentor for them?

“Most definitely,” says Smack. “I encourage them to do things that are positive and empowering. Roller derby is exactly that. If they choose to get involved, I will be a bigger fan than (M-80s) Superfan Kevin!”

“I don’t think about them playing derby,” says the Sound of Violence. “I want them to find things they love to do. Of course, I would encourage them in any endeavor they choose.”

“It would be great to skate with them…I just don’t think I could hit them,” she jokes.

Not only can you cheer both skaters at Chaifetz Arena on Saturday, April 28, you can also cheer their travel squad the Saint Lunachix as they face the Southern Illinois Roller Girls this Saturday at 7 pm at Midwest Sport Hockey.

COMING UP TOMORROW AT 8 AM FOR ARRG’s “30n30″: A transition between two columns! The Lunachix look to remain undefeated this weekend against one of the newest members of the WFTDA North Central region. The bout holds special significance for one of the Lunachix. It’s her first bout against her former league. We’ll get her perspectives on the upcoming battle, where the locals hope to improve to 3-0. On Thursday, Derby News Network contributing writer Muckety Muck previews the Saint Lunachix vs. Southern Illinois.

ARRG’s “30n30″ is a daily feature that examines different aspects of the Arch Rival Roller Girls - St. Louis’ first female flat-track roller derby franchise. In this section every morning at 8 AM for the entire month of April, a new feature will be presented.

Other installments of ARRG’s “30n30″: PRE-SERIES SET-UP (1) EVOLUTION (2) THE DREAM TO PLAY AT CHAIFETZ (3) LOCAL SEASON RECAP (4) ARRG ALL-STARS (5) SAINT LUNACHIX (6) ROOKIE RIVALS (7) REFEREES & NSOs (8) PRE-BOUT RITUALS (9) POST-BOUT RITUALS (10) GUERILLA UNCAGED - NO MINORS (11) ARRG VS. MEMPHIS PREVIEW (12) CHARITY (13) CHAIFETZ PUBLICITY (14) McWHEELY PHOTOGRAPHY (15) GUERILLA UNCAGED - DERBY NAMES (16) ARRG ALL-STARS VS. MEMPHIS RECAP (17) JEERLEADERS.

POM SHAKERS SUPPORT THE LEAGUE IN NUMEROUS WAYS

by the Grand Poobah, ARRG Bout Co-Announcer

In the main entrance of the Pipkin Building in Memphis, Tennessee, a man emblazoned with schwag that represents the Arch Rival Roller Girls wheels a handcart that contains a large cardboard box. He’s there to provide support for his league’s travelling All-Star squad and to overall entertain the crowd at a site unseen.

The 300-mile journey from St. Louis to get there was somewhat easy. Finding a place to prepare is another matter altogether.

“Excuse me, do you know where I can get dressed?” he inquires to one of the building’s support staff.

It’s not uncommon for a question like this to be asked around these parts. About 400 yards due north from the Pipkin stands the Liberty Bowl, a collegiate football stadium that once played host to the one-season Xtreme Football League in 2001. In the same distance northeast stands the vacant Mid-South Coliseum, where thirty years prior professional wrestler Jerry “The King” Lawler “piledrove” comedian Andy Kaufman’s skull through the canvas in a now-infamous grapplin’ match.

Archie The Pirate - ARRG's Mascot. Photo credit: Papa Lippy

But there’s something unique about this particular wardrobe scenario in Memphis. This dress-up involves derby, for within the box that’s being carted contains a pirate’s head…a really, really large pirate’s head.

And after finding a place to change, the performer will ply his trade for the next four hours as Archie the Pirate - ARRG’s roaming costumed mascot - in front of 300 fans.

Such are the lengths one will go through to support the Arch Rival Roller Girls…and the friendly plunderer wouldn’t have it any other way.

This represents the spirit of the ARRG Jeerleaders - 15 members strong - who perform and entertain audiences for local bouts at Midwest Sport Hockey and - in Archie’s case on this particular night in Memphis - at the league’s travel bouts.

“We’ve got a costumed mascot here and the home team doesn’t even have a costumed mascot,” says ARRG All-Star blocker Chewblocka. “Just having that level of support here is fantastic.”

And for Archie personally for the last three seasons, playing the role of the swashbuckler takes care of a personal goal.

“I’ve always had a dream of being a big-headed mascot for a sports team,” says Archie. “Something like that had always been on my bucket list. And at my age, that list is getting short. I’ve done a lot in my lifetime and this might be the last fun thing that I’ll do in my lifetime. So considering that, I’m really motivated to give it all I’ve got and do the best I can.”

And that proverbial best can be found by all Jeerleaders on event night. They shake their poms, hold up signs and perform routines. Most importantly, they entertain and connect with the audience.

Sparklemotion cheers on her troops! Photo credit: Bob Dunnell

“The Jeerleaders add ‘pizzazz’ to the ARRG bouts,” says squad member Miss Lippy. “We make signs and decorate the venue prior to the bouts. We provide halftime entertainment…dances and games.”

“We also have a ‘Kid’s Corner’ where the younger fans can go for crafts and candy,” she adds. “We cheer for our teams and try to get the crowd into the game. We also participate in fundraisers and parades along with the skaters.”

It’s a long laundry list for the volunteer group, but it’s an integral part of the “ARRG experience.” It’s imperative to a sport that mixes both athleticism and entertainment.

“The Jeerleaders and any other die-hard ARRG fan are the heart of this league,” says ARRG skater Munchausen by Foxy. “The Jeerleaders do so much to make sure the fans are having a great time. They put in a huge amount of time and effort making signs, coming up with half-time games and choreographing dance routines.”

And Foxy can relate to the Jeerleaders. Prior to becoming a skating member of the local M-80s’ roster, she shook poms herself.

“I personally have a lot of respect for the Jeerleaders since I started out as one when I first joined the league,” she says. “They do a lot to keep the fans coming back and that means so much to the league.”

Lippy’s path as a Jeerleader was opposite to Foxy’s scenario. After retiring as a skater in 2010 due to injury, she immediately jumped at the chance to continue her involvement with the league.

“I have always loved performing in front of a crowd,” Lippy says. “I’ve never been easily embarrassed and I don’t mind making a fool of myself in order to entertain others. I also love costumes, so any excuse to dress up in a snazzy outfit is good to me.”

Sparklemotion during the Stunt Devils' intro. Photo credit: Bob Dunnell

And Lippy takes her wardrobe up to another level by transforming into the role of Sparklemotion, the official Jeerleader of her once-skated team, the Stunt Devils. For her team’s intros, she’ll pedal a children’s tricycle onto the flat track. Once play starts, she hauls a megaphone that’s almost half her spirited height.

“I feel so lucky to play the role of Sparklemotion because it keeps me involved with my team,” Lippy says. “It was the perfect transition for me as a retired skater because I still get to be with my Stunts and I get to wear a Stuntacular-sequined outfit!”

For one of the “pom shakers,” becoming a Jeerleader was merely an extension of life.

“I didn’t find Jeerleading, it found me,” says Mama Lockdown, whose daughter, May Require Stitches, skates for the M-80s and the ARRG All-Stars. “I have always been Stitches’ personal cheerleader. I never missed any of her high school or college games and she played five varsity sports.”

For Lockdown, her intro into Jeerleading was the direct result of attending her daughter’s initial derby practices two years ago.

Jeerleaders mid-routine. Photo credit: Papa Lippy

“I would come with Stitches to the ‘newbie’ Monday practices and would literally get hit in the head with poms,” Lockdown reflects. “Finally, someone said ‘Just join us!’ I made sure that Stitches wouldn’t be totally embarrassed, but she was fine with it!”

And although she’ll be the lone jeerleader at the away bout in Memphis sans costume, her involvement is still prevalent. Prior to doors opening, Lockdown will hang homemade signage that supports ARRG. And in a building that contains primarily blank concrete walls, her impromptu decorating skills will bring a splash of the league’s hue of pink to the interior.

Since the league’s first set of local bouts in 2006, the Jeerleaders have been a fixture with their involvement. And as the faces have changed through the years, the mentality of preparation prior to event night has remained constant. This has to be in place knowing that the Jeerleaders have to perform a routine in front of a potential 1,000 monthly at Midwest Sport Hockey.

“The Jeerleaders get together for practice on Monday nights,” says Lippy. “We pick out our music and base our routine on the song. We work really hard to get in sync and we basically just do the dance over and over until we get it right. It sounds like a lot of work, but we are always laughing and having a good time.”

“We’ve practiced at the Skatium, the South Broadway Athletic Club and in girls’ yards,” adds Lockdown. “Believe it or not, we do work hard enough to sweat. I am so impressed with our stunts and our routines since the Jeerleaders create them!”

The 2012 Jeerleaders. Photo credit: ARRG

Practice was also imperative for Archie the Pirate when he first started portraying the swashbuckling mascot in 2009. Prior to his first performance, he had to get accustomed to a costume that sported a 15-pound pirate’s head that only allowed a small 1″ x 5″ window of visibility.

“I read up on being a mascot,” says Archie. “I saw where they suggested that I have an escort so I roped Captain Kid (his shipmate) into helping me out there. We practiced at my home before the first bout, going up and down stairs and stuff. We came up with our own sign language system to help us communicate with each other.”

Not only does the Jeerleader perform as Archie, but he also performs as Luna the Chick, the official rabble-rouser for ARRG’s Saint Lunachix travel team that would deliver a soul crush to the Dirt Cheap Chicken, if given opportunity. Other costumes include a full-size firecracker for the M-80s and a face-painted foot soldier for the Smashinistas.

But for this particular night in Memphis, he’s simply Archie, the 7-foot tall swashbuckler. As the All-Stars’ bout at the Pipkin progresses, he poses for pictures, gives high-fives and brings smiles to the young and young-at-heart.

If anything, the mere presence of Archie and Lockdown makes the All-Stars feel like a little bit of the Gateway City has made its way into the visitor’s lair.

“The Jeerleaders really push us forward,” says Chewblocka. “They do really great work for us. They’re invaluable.”

ARRG's Luna the Chick. Photo credit: Bob Dunnell

And just like the skaters, they always feed off the action, whether it’s for the league’s travelling squads or for one of the four local franchises that play at home at Midwest Sports Hockey.

In fact, a close, dramatic bout between a pair of intraleague squads will sometimes make the duties of Jeereleading difficult.

“I get pretty darn worked up,” says Lippy, the former Stunt Devils’ skater. “It is really hard sometimes to ‘just watch’ and not be able to skate out there and assist.”

For example, a last-jam battle between the M-80s and the Stunt Devils earlier this local season made Sparklemotion put down the megaphone and soak up the tense action.

“I’m pretty sure during that last jam, (fellow Jeerleader) Ruby Casino and I were barely able to watch,” Lippy says. “We were so anxious!”

And for Lockdown, whose daughter competes at hard-hitting, full-speed levels, the tension is even higher.

“Bout day is mixed with excitement and fear, but nothing a beer can’t cure,” she jokes.

Outside of bout night, an extension of the Jeerleaders includes charitable events. A variety show fundraiser held last July collected over $2,400 for the USO of Missouri. They also lend support to numerous fundraising activities for the league perpetually.

But in the end, they serve as the vocal mouthpiece for the league that they love so much. And the response they get when performing makes the hours of spirited volunteering worth the sweat equity.

“The best part about performing in front of others is having people tell you that they enjoyed your performance,” Lippy says. “As a skater, it was always satisfying to have fans compliment you on your gameplay. As a Jeerleader, it is the same way. It makes me happy to make other people happy.”

And the happiness goes both ways. As the bout in Memphis Saturday night becomes lopsided on the scoreboard - a result of ARRG building up a 200-point lead - Archie makes it a point to show his appreciation.

He cautiously avoids random cables strewn on the floor and gingerly moves over to the announcers’ area to pass along a message. The ARRG announcer leans over and puts his ear near the roller derby raider’s mouth in order to hear the orders. From a distance - and at an odd angle - it looks like Archie is attempting to eat the announcer’s boonie hat.

“Could you let ‘em know that Archie loves the fans?” the pirate says. “Tell ‘em I said thanks!”

Aye aye, captain!

Join the ARRG Jeerleaders at the 2012 ARRG Local Championships, held Saturday, April 28 at the Chaifez Arena in St. Louis. And don’t be afraid to approach them and find out how you can become a Jeerleader. No prior cheerleading experience is necessary. In fact, if you’re wanting to have a good time while supporting derby, that’s the only qualification that you need.

COMING UP TOMORROW AT 8 AM FOR ARRG’s “30n30″: It takes a lot to become a skater for the Arch Rival Roller Girls. One has to personally commit valuable free time in order to participate in the sport. From practices to bouts, the demands needed to compete take numerous hours weekly. But what if one had the extra responsibility as a parent simultaneously? We’ll feature a pair of ARRG skaters who have had to juggle derby on the flat-track and family commitments off. On Wednesday, we look at the ARRG Moms.

ARRG’s “30n30″ is a daily feature that examines different aspects of the Arch Rival Roller Girls - St. Louis’ first female flat-track roller derby franchise. In this section every morning at 8 AM for the entire month of April, a new feature will be presented.

Other installments of ARRG’s “30n30″: PRE-SERIES SET-UP (1) EVOLUTION (2) THE DREAM TO PLAY AT CHAIFETZ (3) LOCAL SEASON RECAP (4) ARRG ALL-STARS (5) SAINT LUNACHIX (6) ROOKIE RIVALS (7) REFEREES & NSOs (8) PRE-BOUT RITUALS (9) POST-BOUT RITUALS (10) GUERILLA UNCAGED - NO MINORS (11) ARRG VS. MEMPHIS PREVIEW (12) CHARITY (13) CHAIFETZ PUBLICITY (14) McWHEELY PHOTOGRAPHY (15) GUERILLA UNCAGED - DERBY NAMES (16) ARRG ALL-STARS VS. MEMPHIS RECAP.