8th Practice Update

It has been quite a while since I posted. I just completed my 8th practice, which makes me eligible to pick my official Derby Name. After much deliberation, and constant checking availability on twoevils.org (the official International Derby Name Registry), I have decided upon 'Poundora Di Stroya.'

The first practice, I was on skates. The following day I was informed that I could not skate unless I have already paid for my annual insurance through the Derby Association. Finances have been tough, but I just paid my insurance fee last night at practice... and I am getting my very own pair of skates, with outdoor wheels, this Saturday! I am SO extremely excited! Once I have both those things, I will be able to be on skates. The down fall? I have already trained for the NSO (Non-Skating Official) positions, and will not be on skates for the first Bout (which is in a little over a week). This is something I can live with, believe it or not. The Refs out there with skates on have it rough! And it has been a blessing getting to know all the ins and outs of the rules from the outside. It makes it easier for me to see what is expected of me out on the rink.

The first few scrimmages, I was given the position of 'Penalty Box Timer.' Basically, I sat and watched the scrimmage all night long, and only had to pay attention to timing for a minute at a time. It gave me some great experience just watching the Jams. Then, just 2 practices ago, I was trained on 'Score Keeping.' This is an interesting position. One in which you may not, not even or a second, take your eyes off of the Jam ref assigned to you. They sign the number of their Jammer to me, I write it, then for the rest o the scrimmage I am paying attention to points awarded for that specific Jammer. I record the points awarded (keeping track of points accrued by individuals NOT on the track, such as positions serving penalties. Not only do I mark whether or not there was someone not on the track, but also where they were, and what position they are... all the while, not taking my eyes, not even for a second, off my Jam Ref). This was a very difficult task for me, especially coming from the penalty box! The first few Jams, I was elbowed a few different times to let me know I was missing numbers being thrown at me. And I didn't keep track of the 'Ghost Points' until about Jam 7! But after that I did well processing all the information, and knowing when I could look down to correct something, and when I SHOULDN"T look down.

That night, after the first 2 scrimmages, I got switched to 'Penalty Tracking.' This position is similar to the Score keeper, in the fact that you must keep your eyes on your Ref the entire time... only this time it was 3 Refs I was required to watch. Then I had to not only mark the penalty, but I had to code what sort of penalty it was (e.g. elbows, back blocking, etc). This task required me to not only look down at my page, but to search for the correct code... all the while not missing any other penalties being called on the team I was assigned. Once a player had 3 minor Penalties, I then had to tell the 'White Board Operator' to write the number down, and when they hit their 4th minor penalty, I had to call the 'Runner' to go out into the middle of the track and pull the player to serve their penalty. Whoo! All in all it was a great experience.

Last night, I got my official position assignment for our up coming Bout on March 13th. . . I will be the 'White Board Operator.' Which sounds like a real chill position for my first bout. I also found out that I will only be working the first bout (there are two), which means I will be able to have a beer, and chill with my company for the last half of the Bout. :) So, needless to say, I practiced being a 'White Board Operator' for the entire scrimmage last night, and will be doing it again next week, at our final practice before the Bout. White Board Operation is pretty simple. I wait for the Penalty trackers to tell me which number, and from which team, has three penalties. I write that number on the board, and display it for all to see. This is important for the players, because it lets them know they have one more chance, or they'll end up in the box for 1 min. And it is important for the Coaches, cause they don't want to put a Jammer on the track who is about to go to the box.

The best thing about White Board Operation? The fact that I get to actually watch most of the Bout! ;)

I'll post again after our first Bout! Wish me luck on getting the name I want!

My first 'Practice' :)

So, I showed up at practice... and was incredibly nervous! I sat in the parking lot, watching some of the Bellingham Roller Betties heading inside. I took a few deep breaths, as it is quite unlike me to do something so bold all by myself (meeting new people). I then decided it was now or never. (I realized that it was a good thing that I had to drive 30 minutes to get there, otherwise I might have decided NOT to go in :) 

As I walked into the building, I tried to clear my mind, and not think about who I needed to talk to or what I was going to say. I walked through the door and smiled at the first lady I saw. She was standing by the door, as if she were waiting for someone. I asked if she was a Betty. She said she wasn't, but that she was a ref (just the person I needed, seeing as how being a ref was my decided first move). I introduced myself to her, and told her that I was showing up to inquire about becoming a ref. She told me her name, Kat, and began to tell me who I would want to talk to. She explained that we were still waiting for everyone to show up, and then took me over to the Ref table. A few girls introduced themselves to me. I realized at that point two thing, 1. I was not going to be able to remember everyone's names (as I looked around there were about 40 women there), and 2. I was no longer nervous. 

Soon after the rest of them showed up, Kat invited me to come out onto the rink to assist in taping the track. It was an immediate acceptance of me, the new girl. I assisted in taping the track, answered and asked the preliminary questions, "What brought you here?" "How long have you been a Ref?" Etc. I enjoyed watching all the Derby Girls skating around the rink, warming up for their current practice. Once the track was finished, I was invited back over to the Ref table, where I was immediately assimilated into this exciting new world. I learned some Ref signs, and found out that my being there had made the Ref 'team' complete. I also learned a lot about the number of Refs involved (18), their positions, that there are skating and non-skating refs, and that blowing the whistle was actually an acquired skill. :)

Towards the end of the meeting there was a lot of talking about the commitment involved. I asked a few questions, and voiced some concerns. I still needed to free up my Tuesday nights, which I was pretty sure wouldn't be a problem. I also was missing a few essential items I needed, like a helmet, skates, and wrist braces. One of the ladies informed me that she always brings an extra helmet and wrist braces, and that skates could be easily rented... 

Needless to say, I left feeling like the Universe was guiding me toward my goal, without much effort put in by me. The only thing I had to do was muster up the courage to show up! 

The night before First Contact

So, I found out that my idea of 'Open Practice' was not exactly what I thought it meant... It simply means that anyone can come to observe them practice (insurance purposes). Makes sense. Now I am a little disappointed, and a kinda relieved (seeing as how I was a little excited and kinda nervous before!).

Tomorrow night I will be going to inquire about the prospects of becoming a Derby Girl. Interestingly enough, I found myself at the YMCA signing up so that I could start swimming laps (an easier form of exercise than skating, just because of the hours of access). As I went to stand in line, I noticed an interesting looking lady with a mohawk at the end of the line. Walking behind her to take my place, I noticed a Bellingham Betty Sweater adorning her back. I couldn't let this opportunity pass me by, so I introduced myself to her. She told me her name, and had a wealth of information for me. She was friendly, and toward the end of our conversation, I found out she was a captain (newly appointed). Her advice to me was to begin as a ref. Then I could learn a lot about the rules, and get to know the teams, etc. Although I desire the sensation of diving in head first, I believe that my impatience gets the better of me, in many situations. So, this time I am going to try to take it slow (and milk out this Blog for as long as I can! ;). 

As for the random contact? I'll take it as a solid sign from one of my Ancestors, and I will continue to take the next step. Then the next after that. Etc. 

Wish me luck!

A week before my first practice

I sit here, a week before my first practice, thinking about how nervous I am to be meeting all these new people. I have no idea what to expect, however I DO know I CAN skate, since I just went to the rink yesterday, and whipped out the moves! ;)

Although I am super sore today, I am still very excited about the prospect of joining a team. I haven't been on a 'team' since middle school. I remember liking it, and crave such closeness and camaraderie in my longer years. I am also attracted to the benefits of joining the local derby team (Bellingham Roller Betties) because I recently moved to this area about a year ago, and have found myself with only 2 friends (and some countless co-worker type acquaintances) which is way less than I traditionally have.

With that said, I have other motives as well. The physical aspects alone are enough to drive me to join the derby team. In 30 minutes of roller skating, one can burn upwards of 600 calories. Which, if you are as big as I am, may be even more. And speaking of being big... the Roller Derby girls are one of the only teams who will allow women of my size to join their team. Maybe it isn't so much that other teams would exclude me, but I certainly wouldn't feel as capable in their presence, nor excepted.
So, here we have it. The Roller Derby team has many things I am after; Other women, camaraderie, physical exercise, and acceptance. Oh, and did I mention a socially appropriate form of Bullying?? I love to be a bully, and now I finally have a reason! So, watch out opposing teams, cause you're new hardest hitter has just grown a pair big enough to come kick your asses!

-Keep posted on the continuation of my attempts to become a Roller Girl!