Whether his comment was inspired by the sprawling line to purchase tickets, the packed lobby of extended families or the 20-minute wait for an $8.50 can of Miller Lite, one spectator summed up the scene perfectly as he entered Municipal Auditorium Saturday night: "Wow, this has gotten legit."
It was the first bout of the season for Kansas City's four-team, all-women roller derby league. Now in their fifth year, the Roller Warriors have moved up: from a Northland skating rink to the cavernous concrete and metal bleachers of Hale Arena to a prime-time event in downtown Kansas City.
And, in their 2009 opener, these athletes didn't disappoint the more than 2,000 screaming fans.
Even virgin derby-goers were dancing in the stands and more seasoned fans were ready with homemade signs for their favorite teams and players. Mascots in elaborate get-ups -- like the Dreadnought Dorothys' Tin Man, slathered in silver body paint, and the Victory Vixens' ominous-looking Uncle Sam -- roamed the crowd, pushing up the entertainment value. The evening featured a double bill. In the first bout, the Knockouts would battle the Victory Vixens. In the second, the Black-Eye Susans would try to kick dirt on the Dreadnought Dorothys.
As soon as the clock started running, it was clear the Knockouts would have to throw some hard jabs to get on the board. In the first half, the women in teal were denied by the fortress of the Vixens' defensive pack. Riding the scoring tear of jammer Red Ripper, the Vixens jumped out to a dramatic lead with wily offense, too. By the end of the 20-minute half, the Vixens led 39 to 10.
The Knockouts weren't down for the count, though. In the second half, Dominant Jean scored three grand slams in one jam, scoring 15 points and bringing the Knockouts within nine points of the Vixens. But it wasn't enough. In the final 10 minutes of the match, the Vixens ran up the score and ran away with a 72-45 victory.
The second match of the night featured perennial champions the Dreadnought Dorothys. Lining up at the start of the bout, the skaters in the black-and-white striped socks ripped off their pants to expose their red sequined shorts. Yep, there's no place like home. And for the Dorothys, that's the winner's podium. They've taken the league title three times.
In the second half, the Dorothys built a lead but couldn't break away. With just more than four minutes left, the Susans' Ami-Geddon (pictured above) cut the Dorothys' margin to a manageable 41-31. As the seconds ticked toward the buzzer, with one jam left, the crowd still believed an upset was possible, chanting "Let's go Susans!" The Dreadnought determination held out, and the Dorothys' held on for a 59-39 victory.
But will the Dorothys maintain their dominance and make this another undefeated season? Or will the Knockouts break their hearts at the Bloody Valentine bout next month? Those 2,000 fans will have to wait until February 14 to find out.
-- photos by Nicole Reinertson
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Thanks to the Pitch for all the love, and to the fans for all the support!
This is going to be the best season EVER!!!!
Can't wait to see everyone on February 14th!
Black-Eye or Die!
This is the year the Kansas City Roller Warriors turn this town upside down!!!
Get AWESOME!
Great blog and awesome time Saturday night! Thanks to all the girls for your continued hard work and giving us fans a reason to keep coming back bout after bout and year after year!
We love all the support that the Pitch has givin us! We promise to bring you a fast, harder and hotter Roller Derby season this year.
Rita Ploy *to* Victory!
Thanks for the review! We appreciate your support!
Thanks also to all our fans for coming out on Saturday! We had a great time and are looking forward to the next bout!
See you on the 14th,
Ami-Geddon
Black-Eye or Die!
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