Rushmore Rollerz ready to jam

Roller-derby sign-up will be Wednesday, March 19

By Ryan Woodard, Journal staff | Sunday, March 16, 2008

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Kara Baumeister of Rapid City can't wait to play in the town's new roller-derby league, a women's contact sport that requires strong legs, sharp elbows and a wicked sense of humor.

"I was the youngest out of a couple older sisters, so when we were roller-skating, they tried to beat me up on skates," she said, laughing. "So I figured it couldn't be much different."

She and other interested skaters made such a good turnout at Friday night's informational meeting for the new Rushmore Rollerz that organizers expect to be able to field at least two teams, and possibly three.

Baumeister said she and her friends have had a good time discussing possible names for her character.

"I'm excited," she said. "I think it's gonna be a hoot."

Each player comes up with her own alias, some of which are too naughty to print. Organizer Vicki Urban will be known as "Pinkee B. Witch," while co-organizer Jen Blake will be known as "Brianna Bruiser."

Urban said the good turnout -- about 35 women -- bodes well for the future of the new league.

"Jen (Blake) and I are feeling fantastic about this," she said. "The support and the turnout is just phenomenal. It's much bigger than we thought it would be."

Urban said a number of other women who couldn't make it e-mailed her to express interest.

At the meeting at Camp Rapid, Urban went over the finer points of the new league and described sponsorship opportunities.

Scheels is offering special deals on roller skates for the group, and Anytime Fitness offered free memberships to league members. The band Renegade Revival also offered to coordinate efforts to play at league events.

Urban said the group is in a unique position to learn the sport together.

"I'm excited because we are starting from the ground up, all together," Urban told the group.

Roller derby is a 5-on-5 competition held on a circular, flat track. A selected player from one team attempts to skate around the track as many times as possible while being protected by her teammates, while members of the opposing team try to stop her.

The women-only league will be the first West River roller derby league and the second in South Dakota, after the Sioux Falls Roller Dollz.

After initial costs are covered, the league will donate its proceeds to charity.

The cost to play is $75 a year, and players must buy their own roller skates, knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards and helmets. In order to play in bouts against teams outside of Rapid City, players will have to complete timed trials.

The first local match is planned for June 21.

If you go A sign-up session for the Rushmore Rollerz league will be Wednesday, March 19, at Camp Rapid from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/rushmorerollerz

Contact Ryan Woodard at 394-8412 or ryan.woodard@rapidcityjournal.com