The Colonel’s Roller Derby Roundup

This Sunday at Verizon Wireless Theater, Houston derby fans will have a chance to see their champions skate against the Texas Rollergirls’ champions. The Texas Rollergirls are the fourth-rannked team nationally, although they beat the third-ranked team the last time they played them by more than 60 points. This means the visiting Hell Marys are a really good, all star-laden team that will likely be favored over the Psych Ward Sirens.

The difference I believe can be the fans of Houston, being loud and proud of their Houston Roller Derby skaters. Sunday night in Austin, I was talking with one of the skaters who last year was in Houston at the Governor’s Cup. I asked her why she was so hyper at the end of the bout against Houston and she said, “Have you ever been booed by 2,000 fans?” Well, I don’t think there were 2,000 fans that night, and I don’t think every fan was booing her, but that was her perception.

In a way, I think this is a compliment to the Houston fans. They were loud and very supportive of their hometown skaters. I think the Hell Marys, especially their younger players, have not played in a large venue like Verizon Wireless Theater. And they certainly don’t know how loud and crazy the Psych Ward Sirens fans can be at Verizon. Throw in some support from other league fans, and I think the fans can help make a 20- or 30-point difference by encouraging their home team skaters.

That’s just my opinion of course, but I hope all you Houston fans will make the special effort to show up and support your local team and show the folks from Austin just how great the Houston fans are.

Phil Arnold,
Austin, Texas

The Colonel and Bill Shirley prognosticate about the 2008 Houston Roller Derby season. The Colonel records the whole podcast with a mouthful of dip.

The Colonel
1. Psych Ward Sirens
2. Burlesque Brawlers
3. Bayou City Bosses
4. Machete Betties

Bill Shirley
1. Psych Ward Sirens
2. Bayou City Bosses
3. Burlesque Brawlers
4. Machete Betties

2007 Rankings
Sirens
Bosses
Brawlers
Betties

2006 Rankings
Sirens
Brawlers
Bosses
Betties

thecolonel@colonelpod.com

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 Colonel Pod 43 [30:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (36)

Battling Babes

They’re tough, yet flirty. Aggressive, but sassy. And they’d knock you to the ground in a heartbeat without so much as a blink or an apology. Well, at least on the skating rink they would.

They’re the women of the Houston Roller Derby (HRD) league, and with the 2008 season underway, they’re putting Houston on the map as a new hot spot for this retro sport.

Established in 2005, HRD (Houstonrollerderby.com) is growing just as much in its participation as it is in its popularity and fan base. The league includes four teams, each with its own tough-girl title. There’s the Bayou City Bosses, Burlesque Brawlers, Machete Betties, Psych Ward Sirens and the all-star HaRD Knocks. The skaters also come with intimidating monikers like Goldie Bloxx, Rosie the Ribhitter and Wreck Hell Welch.

During the 2008 season, which runs from March to September, teams battle each other, as well as other Texas teams. Home matches, or bouts, are held at least once a month at downtown’s Verizon Wireless Theater.
You might be surprised by the athletes you’d see bashing each other on the rink. “We have skaters from every type of background, including housewives, lawyers, IT consultants, graduate students, massage therapists, photographers, teachers and scientists,” said “Carmen Geddit,” HRD interleague director and one of five Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) representatives for the league. “You’d be amazed at the variety of women who are interested in playing a full-contact sport.”

Geddit said HRD skaters train three to four times a week to stay in shape for the grueling bouts. Houston area women are invited to join a recreational league to learn about the sport, train with HRD skaters and get a solid workout. Just be sure to bring your helmet and knee pads.

—Clair Maciel, www.healthandfitnessmag.com

Clicking onto the Chron.com’s main site today, I notice that the Houston Roller Derby is right up top.