2015 Bouts

The 2015 Season Preview: The Richmond Wrecking Belles

Posted on by BAD PR

The season opener is tomorrow, and we’ve spent the week introducing you to each of the home teams.  The final team to meet? Last season’s league champs, The Richmond Wrecking Belles.  Rex Blocker spoke to Richmond coaches #T2 T-Wrecks and #2020 Eva Menace about defending their title, and in particular how they’ll bounce back from some significant changes to the roster.

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2014 was an interesting season for the perennial powerhouse Richmond Wrecking Belles. After a losing 2013 campaign, they preached hard work and determination, and kept their eyes on the prize: a return to glory as league champions. The first bout offered a chance to settle a score, against the team that replaced them as champs, the Oakland Outlaws. It was a crazy back-and-forth battle, but Richmond won by three.

The Belles seemed to be returning to their winning ways, sweeping the Battle For The Coast tournament, winning all six games by an average score of over 114 points; but a rough loss to Santa Cruz, and a regular-season-ending close loss to Berkeley threatened to derail their progress. It came down to Champs, and a rematch against the Outlaws. Unlike the season opener, however, this one was all Richmond. Though Oakland charged back late to make it close – like the season opener, it came down to the last jam before Richmond won by three – Richmond prevailed, regaining the league title.


Richmond Wrecking Belles

2014 Record: 3-1, League Champions

All-time League Record: 21-7

Key Losses: #26 Chantilly Mace, #381 Razor Grrl, #9 Amanda Jamitinya, #9MM Nina Beretta

Key Additions: #8 Snide Boob


First thing long-time Belles fans will notice is who’s missing: a small dynamo of a jammer, Skater 26. “Mace has been the heuristic ham of our jammer sandwich,” says Wrecks. “Not only was she a foundational part of our rotation, she was able to coach newer jammers.”

But Mace isn’t the only loss. From the pack, the Belles bid farewell to #9MM Nina Beretta, #9 Amanda Jamitinya (who will be skating on the all-star team only this season), and #381 Razor Grrl. “AJ’s loss is a huge one for the Belles,” Wrecks says. “She always lead the other blockers in the back with calm, clear communication.” Nina, one of the first Wrecking Belles, was described as a fearsome hitter, even in practice against her own teammates (Wrecks is a little scared of her), and Razor “was a versatile blocker who was also our nerdy stats and rules guru,” says Eva, helping Richmond keep on top of the sports frequent rules adjustments.

So how are the Belles filling the holes? “The BAD pool is teeming with transfer talent as of late,” says Wrecks, but at the moment, they’ve added only #8 Snide Boob, who Eva says, “is working hard at developing her skills and learning Belles strategy. Keep an eye on her, I think she will surprise you.”

The Belles’ coaches are still working out who’s going to be doing what once the season begins. When asked about a go-to jammer, Eva replied, “Just know, no matter what, you won’t be disappointed.” And their emergency need-a-stop pack? Eva is similarly cagey: “People should fear all of our packs. When we work together, we can be a tough force to stop.”

The coaches aren’t entirely tight-lipped and circumspect when discussing the upcoming season. They’ve got two games in particular circled on their calendars. Says Eva, “Our games versus Oakland are always intense, nail-biters.” But it’s not just Oakland they’re preparing for. Eva goes on to say, “I think we all need to keep an eye out for Berkeley. Their team is made up of incredible vets and have picked up some great skaters this year. Adds Wrecks, “Those hippies have traded in their tie dye for some serious business.”

But the Belles aren’t all serious business. Unlike last off-season, they made a point of enjoying the time off. In addition to working out together doing strength training, a few of the Belles ran a half-marathon together, a team-building exercise Wrecks, perhaps jokingly, calls “the worst,” adding, “I will never understand how running is considered a hobby.”

The Belles have a title to defend, and they’re coming into the season with a balance of focus and irreverence. The other teams in the league will be gunning for them, and though the coaches are preparing for the title defense, they also have another goal in mind: “We are also trying to be the new spokeswomen for the United Colors of Benetton,” says Eva. The Belles are certainly loose and confident, and it’s going to be a great season.

2015 Bouts, Oakland Outlaws

The 2015 Season Preview: The Oakland Outlaws

Posted on by BAD PR

In our penultimate preview of the 2015 season home teams, we bring you The Oakland Outlaws, who finished last year 2nd overall in league play after what was arguably the most exciting game of the 2014 season.  With the new season here, Oakland is looking to dig deep and leave their very best on the track.

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It’s been a topsy-turvy couple of years for the Oakland Outlaws. Winless in 2012, then undefeated in league play in 2013 (and nearly undefeated overall), Oakland came into 2014 with guns a-bangin’. First up was perennial powerhouse Richmond, but the Wrecking Belles were coming off of a rare off year and looking to return to form. Richmond won a doozy of a game by three, ending the Outlaws’ winning streak. The ladies in black bounced back, though, and ripped off another impressively dominating season, losing only a 19-point game to Sin City. Oakland charged back into the League Championship game, a rematch against Richmond…..and again lost by three.

I spoke to Outlaw coaches #10 Huck Sinn and #40 Val Hella about that rematch, the off-season changes to the team, including the loss of some critical components, and how they got their 2015 slogan: Dig Deep.

Oakland Outlaws

2014 Record: 2-2, 2nd place

All-time League Record: 13-12

Key losses: #013 Thrasher, #4×8 Bricktator, #505 Dorato, #51 Cass Warfare, #9 Cat Scrap Fever

Key additions: #243 Scratcher in the Eye, #29 Dual Hitizen, #45 Colt 45


“Oh, so sad when you think about it,” said Huck, of that final game of the season. “Losing to your rival twice by three points is really hard to stomach.” It was hard to watch, too. In the first game, Oakland led for all but twelve of the game’s 49 jams. There were seven lead changes, including one in the last jam, where Richmond turned a one-point deficit into a three-point win. In the rematch, however, Richmond led most of the way. Oakland made a spirited comeback, bringing some excitement to the proceedings and drawing the crowd back into the game, but the Belles held on to retake the league title.

“The first game was a damn fine game, and they got it at the end. Champs was theirs the whole time.” Huck Sinn

So how are the Outlaws bouncing back from that? “We want to get back to basics,” said Huck. “We’re gonna try some new things, try some new defensive strategies, some new skating skills. We’re really evolving into a more 360 style,” taking a page from some of the more successful teams from the WFTDA playoffs last season.

They’re also working this offseason to fill some notable holes. Gone from the team are All-Stars #505 Dorato, a powerful blocker (“cool calm demeanor, huge skates to fill,” said Huck) and #4×8 Bricktator, an unparalleled jammer (“an impossible jammer hole to fill, and a really positive person”).  The roster has also lost team mainstays, #9 Cat Scrap Fever, jammer and blocker (“verbal force on the track, good communicator”), #51 Cass Warfare (“a beautiful combination of skill and heart,” says Hella), and #013 Thrasher, a slippery jammer with good speed,  who is recovering from an injury. “We’re not as deep, with some last-minute retirements,” says Huck.

But they’re not bereft. This off-season has brought a number of transfers to the Bay Area Derby Girls, and three of them have found their way onto the Oakland roster. Your newest Outlaws are #45 Colt 45, a jammer from Sacramento’s Sacred City Derby Girls, #29 Dual Hitizen, a jammer/blocker hybrid from DC Rollergirls, and #243 Scratcher in the Eye, a jammer from Portland’s Rose City Rollers. “We’re super excited to have three experienced, powerful, smart, aggressive, dynamic players like these,” says Hella. She adds that she’s “intrigued by this huge pool of skaters we’ve got coming up for draft in March.” There’s always room for more.

These new skaters are now being added into the mix. The jammer rotation is currently expected to include Huck, maybe #64 Mary Prankster, #42 Esteemed Bun-Bun, #777 Jane Hammer… “Maybe Dual, maybe Colt, maybe five or six other people…we’re still working it out,” says Huck. And who’ll be their go-to jammer, when points are needed? Both coaches are in agreement: it’ll be Huck. But whereas Coach Huck is reluctant – almost sheepish – to name Skater Huck as her go-to, Coach Hella is not so reserved. “This is her year,” she says. “She’s a neutron bomb.”

When it comes to the packs, both coaches make one point clear: The Outlaws run deep. When asked about their most dependable pack, the one they’ll turn to in a pinch, several names were tossed out: #8 Fatal Dreidel, #320 Sheer Luxe (who will also be the captain on the track), #105 Strawberry Killz, #7 Murderyn Monroe, #8380 Hazel-Raw, Scratcher, Dual, Hammer… Says Hella, “Trying to jam your way through Murder, Hazel, Fatal and Hammer is much like trying to skate through a brick wall. Berry and Luxe are understated ninjas – they’ll knock you the [heck] out when you least expect it. When they’re not jamming, Bun, Dual, and Scratcher will easily hand you your ass on a platter.”

Huck singles out Hazel in particular for praise. “Hazel’s got swing, she has swagger, she’s fun to watch one-on-one. As her jammer, you feel so good and so protected.” On the line, before the jam starts, “she gives you a wink and her chin goes up…if you want anyone looking out for you, it’s Hazel-Raw. We missed her at champs.”

“Work hard. Dig deep. Play good derby.” Val Hella

Keeping everyone in control on the track will be Murderyn Monroe. “It’s in her blood,” Huck says. “Murder says a lot. You don’t really hear her [from the stands], she speaks under the noise. She IS a leader, whether she tries to be or not.”

The coaches plan to rely heavily on her and these blockers as they enter home team play. They think they’ll have their work cut out for them this season. When asked who they’re looking out for among the other home teams, which matchup they’re most anticipating, the coaches were circumspect. “Berkeley is coming on hot,” says Huck. “It’s their time to rise to the top, and they’re positioned correctly for it. ShEvil have been rebuilding. They’re going to evolve a lot and it’ll be good to see what they become.” As for Richmond, against whom the Outlaws once again open the season? “It’s hard to say,” she says. “Meeting Richmond in March is different from meeting them in July.”

And when all is said and done, Hella says their goals as a team come down to something quite simple. “Work hard. Dig deep. Play good derby. We do that, we will have had a successful season.” Huck elaborated by telling the story of a trip to Los Angeles last season, where the Outlaws played three full-length games in a single day. “We had to dig so frickin’ deep that day. I saw people pull something out of them they hadn’t pulled out before. I would like to see something like that for 2015. It’s not necessarily the win, it’s that we did everything right and buckled down and dug deep.”

2015 Bouts

The 2015 Season Preview: The Berkeley Resistance

Posted on by BAD PR

You’ve met this year’s ShEvil Dead.  Now let’s meet their opponent in our Season Opener Double Header at The Craneway Pavilion. Rex Blocker spoke with coach-and-captain pair #45 Dolly Rocket and #86U Gretchen Vomette about where the team is headed, and if you’re a fan of the women in pink, you should be excited about the future of The Berkeley Resistance.

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Any sports fan will tell you that it takes a while for expansion teams to find their stride in a league. While some teams, like the Arizona Diamondbacks (who won the World Series in only their fourth season), find success quickly, others, like the NHL’s St. Louis Blues, who’ve been in existence since 1967, still have no titles.

So it goes for the Berkeley Resistance. Established in 2011, the Resistance have won the fewest league games of all the teams. In fact, last season was their first winning campaign ever. Long-time observers of the B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls will note the change in this team: the increased focus, the dedication, the desire.

Berkeley Resistance

2014 Record: 3-1, third place

All-time League Record: 5-9

Key Losses: #14 Roofio, #6 Kristi Yamagotcha

Key Additions: #10 Foxy Throwdown, #31 Frightmare

2014 was a turn-around year for the Berkeley Resistance. After going 0-3 in league play in 2013, the revolutionaries in pink came out strong, beating San Francisco in the season opener, then losing a close non-league game against the V-Town Derby Dames (Visalia). After a setback against Oakland in the season’s second doubleheader, Berkeley went undefeated the rest of the way, including handing eventual champion Richmond their only league loss in an eight-point nail-biter. Unfortunately, however, Berkeley had to settle for third in the league, with a 3-1 record overall.

“It was a solid year of growth for the Resistance.  We really learned who we are as a team and our strengths to lean on in tough games.” Dolly Rocket

The team returns largely intact for 2015. They lost a regular part of the jammer rotation in #14 Roofio, and an All-Star blocker and pivot in #6 Kristi Yamagotcha, both of whom retired, but Berkeley also took advantage of the wealth of transfer talent into the Bay Area, adding #10 Foxy Throwdown from Rat City Rollergirls (whom Dolly calls “a formidable blocker”) and “a twinkle toes jammer transfer from DC,” #31 Frightmare.  They also know they’re improving from within, seeing “really rapid growth and solid commitment from #91 Vile E. Coyote, #434 Shenghis Khan, and #22 Knitorious.” She adds, “We are working very hard to be a deep bench this year.”

In their effort to get over the hump and make it to the title game, Berkeley will emphasize molding the entire team to be well suited to any situation: “[We’re] hoping that any of our skaters can be thrown in a sticky situation and gel.” To that end, Dolly won’t single out any one set of players as the pack she’d turn to when Berkeley needs a stop, or to which jammer she’ll turn when the Resistance needs points. “We focus on training the whole athlete,” she says.

“We are hoping to be a well-rounded and versatile team that is able to put constant pressure on opponents.” Dolly Rocket

And they do have some legit athletes on this team. You can always count on a Berkeley skater to be doing a handstand, turning a cartwheel – in skates – or showing off some fancy skating moves in warmups. Over the off-season, Dolly says, “a lot of our skaters have also been bouncing around at House of Air and at the Berkeley skate park!”

So on whom have they set their sights? Who do they have to beat to know they’re on their way? Dolly is circumspect when it comes to anticipating match-ups, preferring to take a one-game-at-a-time approach, but does allow a small glimpse into her thinking: “Oakland is the only team we haven’t been able to eke a win out with since my tenure with the team, I think that would also be a big confidence booster to Berkeley.”

But it won’t be just about beating Oakland, or Richmond, or their first opponent, San Francisco. She also points out that Berkeley’s position as the newest team in the league gives them something to prove whenever they take the track. “We finally feel like last year we began to click and gel as a unit in and of itself due to the effort and commitment everyone put into the team,” she says. “Success for us this year is continuing that growth, and continuing to focus on making the Berkeley Resistance a formidable presence.”

2015 Bouts

The 2015 Season Starts NOW!!

Posted on by BAD PR

In exactly one week, all four home teams for the B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls will take the track at The Craneway Pavilion for the first double header of the 2015 season. In what can only be described as a much-anticipated rematch of the 2014 Championship, The San Francisco ShEvil Dead will once again face The Berkeley Resistance in game one, and The Oakland Outlaws will battle The Richmond Wrecking Belles in game two.

B.A.D.’s very own Rex Blocker sat down with the team coaches, and over the next week, we’ll be introducing you to the teams, featuring interviews and key roster changes, and sharing the drive, heart and passion of your favorite B.A.D. skaters.  First up, The ShEvil Dead.

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After finishing nearly every season in the league Championship game, The San Francisco ShEvil Dead started the 2014 season with two huge holes in the jammer rotation and the loss of a formidable blocker from the pack due to a number of skaters withdrawing from home team play to focus their efforts on the All-Star team. Rebuilding was the name of the game. While San Francisco went winless in league play for the first time since 2009, they did find ways to fill those holes, and eked out wins against some non-league opposition, including taking two out of three in the Shore Shots Round Robin tournament in Los Angeles.

And now 2015 dawns, with still more losses among the zombie ranks. I talked to coach Miss Moxxxie about all the feelings from 2014, and what the Dead will be doing to return to form.


San Francisco ShEvil Dead

2014 Record: 0-4, fourth place

All-time League Record: 7-18

Key losses: #318 Mae K. Haste, #360 Trixie Pixie, #52 Kid Ace, #616 Silver Foxxy, #713 Sherlock Home Slice

Key additions: #55 Bobby Dazzler


Longtime fans of the Bay Area Derby Girls know the San Francisco ShEvil Dead as the league’s most venerable, consistent team. Several All-Stars have skated in green; the team has won and lost, but has always been in it at the end. They’ve shown poise and a bit of brute force, and have always had a loud and loyal fan base.

So last year had to be a bit trying, as so many freshly Dead skaters figured out on the fly how to work together to own the track. There was a lot of exuberance, though, and smiles on the skaters’ faces, and as coach Moxxxie says, there were “feelings. Lots of them.” The Dead may have had trouble getting past Richmond, Oakland, and Berkeley, but that didn’t seem to dampen their spirits. They’re Dead, not down.

2015 brings another round of roster losses, however, as five zombies from last season have retired, including All-Stars #52 Kid Ace (who’ll stay on as a non-skating coach) and #713 Sherlock Home Slice. Also gone are jammers #318 Mae K. Haste (who will still serve the league as a non-skating official) and long-time veteran #360 Trixie Pixie, and blocker #616 Silver Foxxy. They’ve regained the services, however, of jammer/blocker hybrid #55 Bobby Dazzler, back from Australia.

“We are starting the season with only two skaters with all-star experience on our roster.  This means we will be working hard to get the rest of the team up to speed, and quickly!”  Coach Moxxxie

But Moxxxie is confident. “Some of the newer Dead are looking pretty great,” she says. The jammer rotation is expected to depend on some of the more experienced skaters, including #89 Mean Burrito and #212 Xpress Lane Jane. For the packs, “we turn to our veteran skaters to lead this charge. #47 Kimfectious, #0 Slaybia Majora, and #140 Nurse Lithium are our pivots, the vocal backbone of the team.” Kimfectious and Lithium will also be sharing the on-track Captain duties this season.

Still in a rebuilding mode, Moxxxie isn’t looking towards any one bout, or for any specific result for the 2015 season. Asked which bout she was looking forward to, she was diplomatic. “Every bout when our team exhibits focus, precision, intensity, communication and calm.” She added, “We plan to play our game.”

That game will rely, as always with ShEvil, on small, wily jammers, mixed in with a little power every now and again. As for defense, it looks like San Francisco won’t be aiming for the blockbuster hit to exert control over the pack. In a discussion about the team’s heaviest hitter, Moxxxie wasn’t about to single anyone out: “We have a handful, but are working more on our controlled, positional game.”

But as Yogi Berra allegedly said, “Ninety percent of this game is half mental,” and ShEvil are working on that aspect, too.

“ShEvil’s team goal for this season is to work on our mental toughness.” 

It’s not all work with this team, however, not when they have a tradition to uphold of the most blood-spattered, outlandish team photo session in all of roller derby. Moxxxie described it as “a sticky, hilarious, fake-blood-filled blast,” and one that went a long way towards team building.

Any time a team is coming off a winless season, it is an uphill battle, but several experienced skaters from other leagues joined B.A.D. this off-season, forming a deep pool of draftable skaters from which Moxxxie can select. “We’re very excited about a number of transfers,” she says. “Lots of great prospects!”

Early returns do show an improvement in the ShEvil Dead, despite a 29-point scrimmage loss to Shasta early on. Other teams are watching how ShEvil will grow and change this season, and feel confident the team will come back as strong as ever, with their howling fans behind them. And what will Moxxxie point to as a sign the team is back among B.A.D.’s elite? “If our team can collectively improve upon and exhibit that mental toughness,” she says, “this will be a great season.”

News, Press

Examiner: Golden Bowl 2014: Bay Area v Angel City Derby Girls

Posted on by BAD PR

By Laurel Hanson | June 16, 2014

The headliner bout of the 2014 Golden Bowl, held at the fabulous ocean-side Craneway Pavilion on Sunday, June 15 was also referred to as the battle of the gold helmets or the battle for the Golden State. The Bay Area Derby Girls (#2) and the Angel City Derby Girls (#6) are both California teams and not surprisingly, they both wear gold helmets. To have two California teams so high in worldwide WFTDA rankings, and to have them both in the same building playing against each other is a rare treat for skaters and spectators alike.

Full article

Events

BAD All-Stars Boot Camp

Posted on by BAD PR

B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls All-Stars are hosting a weekend boot camp Nov 15-16 for beginner, intermediate and advanced skaters. Learn blocking and jamming skills from some of the best derby players in the world. Learn how to break down footage critically and get up to date on current derby strategy before kicking off your 2015 season.

Skater passes are sold out but spectator passes are still available.

News

BAD All-Stars at WFTDA Championships!

Posted on by BAD PR

Congratulations to our All-Stars for dominating Divisionals in Salt Lake City!  The next stop for the Golden Girls is the WFTDA International Championships in Nashville, TN, October 31 – November 2. They have put in thousands of hours of training, but need your help to take the final step!

Momma Bomb

There’s family and there’s chosen family. Then sometimes you’re blessed with the family that chooses you. An All-Star bout would hardly be complete without B.A.D.’s adopted parents Mama and Papa Bomb cheering from the bleachers and revving up the crowd. Once again they’ve gone above and beyond to make golden dreams come true.

For a limited time, the first $2000 in donations to the All-Star’s travel fund will be matched by this dynamic duo. Make your donation now to take advantage of this generous matching gift and double your impact.

Where does your donation go?
Every $250 raised flies one All-Star to or from the Championship weekend.
Every $100 raised gives one All-Star a hotel room to rest up for the next competition.
Every $50 raised gives the team an ice bath where they recover for the next round of intense physical play.
Every $25 raised means EXTRA GOLD – there’s never enough glitter when the B.A.D. girls are in town.

Don’t forget to also check out the BAD All-Star Team’s limited edition merchandise!

News

BAD All-Stars at WFTDA Division 1 Playoffs

Posted on by BAD PR

The 2014 season is ramping up for our All-Star Team as they head to WFTDA Division 1 Playoffs in Salt Lake City, Utah, September 26-28. Get your limited edition BAD All-Star gear and watch some of the most talented skaters in the world compete for women’s flat track roller derby’s highest honor in the third of the 2014 WFTDA Division 1 Playoffs.  Whether you watch live in SLC or you watch at home on WFTDA tv, don’t forget to wear your BOOing pants and also cheer for your favorite team – BAAAAYYYY AAAAARRREEEEEAAAAAA!!!