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March 24, 2008 Slideshows

        
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Women's roller derby season debuts in St. Louis

Short shorts and high socks may fool one into thinking these women are dainty. Nope. They're tough girls who bang it out on skates. Photos by Nichole Torpea.

Nichole Torpea

A pair of Stunt Devils get limber.

Nichole Torpea

The Arch Rival Roller Girls held the opening of their third season on March 22 at the All American Sports Mall in South County.

Nichole Torpea

In flat-track roller derby, there are three main positions. “Pivots” can be recognized by the stripe on their helmets. They control the speed of their team members and serve as the last line of defense against an opposing scorer.

Nichole Torpea

A message from referee Rockity Roller.

Nichole Torpea

Heckle, heckle, heckle.

Nichole Torpea

The Smashinistas vs. The Stunt Devils...

Nichole Torpea

Roller derby is full of quick tight movements, shown here by Smashinista “The Educator” (right) and Stunt Devil “Artemischief” (left).

Nichole Torpea

A warning to those who chose the latter.

Nichole Torpea

Stunt Devil fans cheer for their winning team.

Nichole Torpea

Fans could choose to watch from high above…

Nichole Torpea

...or right on the track.

Nichole Torpea

The rest of the team consists of “Blockers.” They assist the “Pivots” in defense.

Nichole Torpea

Although the game started off fairly even, the Smashinistas couldn’t stop the Stunt Devil’s jammer from dominating.

Nichole Torpea

Mike Madison, announcer of the evening, explained the rules of roller derby and gave the bout play by play.

Nichole Torpea

A Stunt Devil victory!

Nichole Torpea

One of derby’s youngest Smashinista fans, Ike Sciaroni, and his father, Vince, anticipate the start of the season opener.

Nichole Torpea

“Jammers” are indicated by the star on their helmet. They are the only member on a team that can score and are known for their speed and agility.

Nichole Torpea

Scorekeepers stood in the middle of the track, indicating which team had the lead jammer, or in this case, no jammer at all.

Nichole Torpea

The game consisted of three 20 minute periods. During the intermissions, the crowd was entertained with a mock western-style showdown, “ask a roller girl,” and an audience raffle.

Nichole Torpea

Head referee Magnum P.I.M.P. attempts (and succeeds) to jump over seven participants during the second derby intermission.

Nichole Torpea

There are moves in roller derby are illegal and can cause a player some time in the penalty box. Starry Starry Fight awaits the end of her penalty and the go ahead from time keeper Ana Warpath.