2010 Western Regionals. I don’t wanna talk about it. I don’t wanna think about it. You know what happened. If you don’t know, read about it here. That was then. This is now.
You know you wanna party with these folks
This Sunday Rose City’s Wheels of Justice takes on the Bay Area Derby Girls (aka B.A.D. Girls) in a closed bout at the hangar at Oaks Park. While this is an official WFTDA-sanctioned bout, it is closed to the public. Rose City Rollers has to obtain permits from Oaks Park to hold events at the hangar, and this opportunity to play B.A.D. popped up after the league had already gotten its permits for the season. So unless you’re willing to shell out $200 for a set of backstage passes to see the bout in person, you can see it broadcasted on the big screen at Bagdad Theater with hundreds of unruly derby fans. There will be live music, beer, pizza, actual bathrooms, and vengeance. We’ll talk more about the Bagdad later.
B.A.D. has been a long-time rival of Rose City, even more so than our sisters to the north, Rat City (Seattle). While Rat City is closer in proximity, B.A.D. has always been closer to Rose City in skill and intensity. They have been bouting since 2006 and ended the 2010 season with 8 wins and 7 losses. After knocking a formidable opponent (a-HEM, who shall remain nameless…) out of contention and claiming the last spot in the 2010 Championships B.A.D. was sent home in the first round by a loss to Texas (59-72). Prior to their WFTDA Tournament run they had a season full of big wins and big losses. Beaten by teams like Philly (99-203), Gotham (58-187), and Rocky Mountain (44-142, 17-195), B.A.D. was able to collect wins against lower-ranked teams like Silicon Valley (259-73), Pacific (254-31), and Sacred City (161-40). And they have yet to play in 2011. Unlike the Wheels of Justice, who have already crammed four official bouts and two scrimmages into the first three months of the season. So let’s talk about them.
I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say that the league’s push towards having Travel Team-only skaters has already benefitted their all-star team. I do miss seeing Mel Mangles skating for GNR in her leopard-print unitard, but I love seeing her more focused and intense than ever skating for WoJ. That renewed focus by all those amazing WoJ skaters has paid off with authoritative wins against Detroit (197-75), Philly (145-94), and Rat City (165-88), as well as stellar performances in unofficial scrimmages against Rat City (125-80) and Jet City (306-39). Rose City’s only loss so far was a squeaker against Denver at the Wild West Showdown, where a close game and multiple lead changes left WoJ down 98-112. Rose City is well on its way to achieving “well-oiled machine” status.
B.A.D. and WoJ square up on the pivot line at 2010 Westerns
And now, the match-up. B.A.D. (#3) is ranked above Rose City (#4) in the Western region by WFTDA official standings. However, Derby News Network (which implements a much more thorough algorithm and combines all regions) ranks Rose City at #5 and B.A.D. way down at #13 (largely due to the fact that they haven’t played yet this year). B.A.D. has played Rose City a total of five times over three seasons. Rose City leads the series 3-2. Interestingly, B.A.D.’s two victories over WoJ were both at Western Regionals (in 2008 and 2010). B.A.D. has shown that they can certainly keep up with Rose City. Will they be able to kick the dust off their skates and start their season off with a win? Or will WoJ continue their reign of terror and grind out another triumph over their old adversary? It promises to be an exciting bout, with home-field advantage and recent bout experience favoring Rose City.
Since only a select few will have the pleasure of sitting trackside, Rose City is throwing a viewing party at the Bagdad Theater at 3705 SE Hawthorne Blvd. Tickets are $8 and are available at the door or from your favorite WoJ skater. Doors open at 1pm and the bout starts at 2pm. Pre-game entertainment begins at 1:30pm and will be brought to you by local breakout band Pocketknife, featuring High Rollers’ Napoloen Blownapart. Come eat a slice of pizza, grab a beer, and yell and cheer along with your fellow derby fanatics while these two great teams clash wheels on the track. This bout will not be streamed live online, so get your tickets and join the party!
**Please note: during the Detroit vs WoJ pregame show I was repeatedly poked (and I think even kicked) by the lovely Draggin Lady for referring to WoJ as “we”, thus neglecting my journalistic duty to appear non-biased. This bout preview was my first attempt at maintaining neutrality. I didn’t much care for it.**
Astronaughty // Auntie Christ // Belle ‘Right’ Hooks // BooYaYa // Brawllen Angel // Chantilly Mace // Demanda Riot // Frank N Hurter // Friskie Meow // Ivy Profane // Lethally Blonde // Little Miss Masochist // Liza Machete // Lusty Malice // Nock Nock // Psychoserapissed // Sassy Slayher // Slaybia Majora // Sugar Pusher // Taxi Scab // Trixie Pixie // Velveteen Savage
Blood Clottia // Cadillac // Heidi-Go-Seek // JK Rolling // Joyride // Layla Smackdown // Mel Mangles // Mercy // Mick Swagger // Minstrel Psycho // Mobi-wan Kenobi // Napalm Beth // Rhea DeRange // Scald Eagle // Scratcher in the Eye // Smack Ya Sideways // SoulFearic ACID // Sully Skullkicker // Twat Rocket // White Flight
Actually the record between Bay Area and Rose City is 3-3. Bay Area beat Rose twice in 2008, first at the Roll for a Cure tournament May 11th, score: Bay Area 111 Rose 74 and of course again at Westerns.
You are absolutely right, Southbay. I missed the Roll For the Cure tourney. Of course, now the series is 4-3.