DO NOT RESUSCITATE!
The Bleeding Heartland Rollergirls' (BHRG) team, the Flatliners, played their first home bout at the SportsPlex Saturday night, against the Black-n-Bluegrass Killbillies from Kentucky, and WON in the final minutes of the 3rd period by a score of 108-92.
It was a tight competition. These teams scrimmaged against each other a few months ago, and I think even then knew they were pretty evenly matched. The Killbillies are big and play tough, so the score was close all night. The Kentucky women gave as good as they got from the Flatliners. But the LOUD, sellout crowd definitely played a part in the action and inspired the girls in orange, who scored 10 unanswered points in the final three jams, to take the win.
I am so very pleased that this came off well. I've known Molly McFracture and Truly F Obvious for 16 and 10 years, respectively, and yes, they've been talking about skating and roller derby FOR. EVER. It's great to see their dream realized. It's also wonderful to see all these ladies work their tails off and achieve a huge goal: bringing the SPORT of roller derby to Bloomington, in a big way.
I thought X Libris (aka violi) really shone too. She scored 15 points (a big 8 in her first jam in the 1st period, and averaging an amazing 5 pts. per jam) and racked up only 3 minor penalties. No Bad Girl Box for her! She also bounced back again and again. Our entire team had great endurance, and this eventually wore down the Killbillies, who fielded only 4 jammers to our 8. Talk about a deep bench!
At the announcers' table: I had an excellent time, and calling the action was fun and easy with such an attentive, excited audience. There are some production issues to work out for the September and October bouts, but nothing detracted from the night or the elation of rollergirl and audience member alike.
Highlights for me? Well, there are too many to count. I was beaming all night. Doing the jam demo was really fun. Working with the other announcers, Rip Force, X Static, and visiting announcer Hellin' Hazard, was smooth and we threw it around well. Heckling the refs and chiding the skaters for being in the penalty box made for some great crowd interaction. Kids asking for my autograph after the game was a hoot. And yes, I called them "my li'l smackers."
If you missed this inaugural bout, MAKE PLANS to be there for HOOSIER HOMICIDE, Saturday, September 22, at the Sportsplex in Bloomington, when the Flatliners go up against the seasoned Little Arsenic Annies of Fort Wayne.
Faster! Faster! Kill! Kill! Kill!
Dick Smack
BHRG Announcer