Bay State Brawlers @baystatebrawlers - Tumblr Blog

Welcome to 2015

Are you green with envy yet?

If you’ve seen our most recent posts on social media, you know Bay State Brawlers has undergone some big changes! We here at BSBRD couldn’t be more psyched to unveil our new logo and league structure for the 2015 bouting season. We’ve worked doggedly during the off-season to provide our fans the best BSB derby watching season yet.

Team structure: it’s with a heavy heart that we bid adieu to the Switchblade Sallies, Lumber Jackies, and Bluestocking Bombers.

We cherish the years we spent donning red, orange, and blue, but are excited to move forward with our new travel team structure. As a league, we decided to move forward keeping the Punishers and the Brawlin’ Broads intact as our A and B travel teams, respectively. Skaters who do not wish to play travel will be participating in expo bouts this season. We are so excited to have a little fan participation in themed bouts this year!

New logo: Our famed Punisher is a strong, athletic woman (thanks, Smarty Pants) and she is getting a greentastic makeover. Our new logo will incorporate an updated version of our beloved Punisher with the color of the Broads’ jerseys. Even though we’ve decided to rebrand, we wanted to keep our identity as a league. We just love her and hope you do, too.

The Bay State Brawlers can’t wait to see you drenched in black, white, and green at our home-opener on May 2nd!

Fresh Meatball

by: Stefanie Parker

Why did I decide to join Roller Derby?

It may be an easy answer as to why anyone does anything and for me, I don’t think I could give a simple one-worded reply to close friends that may ask.

So after a month of Googling, asking random questions that crossed my mind while going to the bathroom, and bothering the coaches through email, I finally showed up to the first practice. Every women I saw at the rink was beautiful in her own way. They all sort of made eye contact and joked with the other girls as if they knew each other for years. As lame as this may sound, I wanted that. They were all sweet, womanly of course, but probably could hip check you into a wall of spikes if given the chance.

In the beginning, I didn't know anything, and saying I was joining was much easier than the actual task. A close friend mentioned that this sport actually existed (in this area of MA!) and I was drunkenly curious as to how one would go about doing this. Her response was one-worded - "life changing" - and the smile that came off her face when she said it, was a glow I wish I could say for anything sports related. I was envious of her ambition for something.

I’ve always loved art and in high school that was the only thing I knew.

I stayed at safe distance from sports mostly because of my terrible dry humor and awkward body type; fear that if I ever engage in a contact sport, my body would simple reject the efforts and explode.

Practice went like expected. I rented smelly skates and I was, of course, the first one to fall. The rink echoed my squawks, growls and curse words (that no one could of heard simply because of the vomit causing mouth guard I had in). I felt a sigh of relief with that I was working WITH the other ladies in the class; they were here to learn and all of the screams and whines were all for one simple thing: we all didn’t have an f-ing clue what we were doing.

Everyone was extremely supportive, caring and very confident, as we chatted to the vets after practice. Every name they chose, you could see why they chose it, as they either had a great personality or they were bad-ass; the name fit them like their birth names.

I've come a long way, in a short time, after practicing with these women. I've not only skated, but met genuine people that come from different generations and homes. We all had a passion for this one sport. This isn’t just a team; it’s a sisterhood... a helpful, smelly, powerful girl-clan that can’t be stopped. I think that’s why I joined roller derby. It’s something I needed to learn from.

If you can’t take smelling most of your week from sweating in a stuffy rink with the same women for years to come it’s not for you. If you can’t take constructive criticism in the boldest way possible from your peers and coaches it's not for you. BUT, if you want something in your life that the world can’t give you (because women playing sports isn’t exactly the norm) then choose Bay State Brawlers. It's truly, life changing.

OUR NEW FRESH MEAT CLASS STARTS ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 11 AT 5:30PM AT ROLL ON AMERICA.

EMAIL [email protected] to sign up!

Introducing: The Switchblade Sallies

Have you heard about our 2 time hometeam champions, the Swtichblade Sallies? Well if you haven't, here they are!

The Coach: MikeOpatic Chiller

Mass Maelstom Skater, Mike is a great coach for our Sallies! He brings in skill, energy, and positivity to every practice. He is a proud coach, and uses his skill in strategy to bring them to victory!

Captain: Annie Morphs, #44

Annie is a very muti faceted Sallies skater. She can block. She can jam. She will guide the team to the edge. A force, we all know the opposing team is a little fearful when she's on the track.

The Veterans.

Ashlee Juggs. Juggs. Famous for her intense jamming, Juggs always brings 100 percent to all practices and bouts. If she's not on your side, she'll gracefully push past you and score all the points!

Ace of Aches. Ace is so tall and small, she'll guide past everyone, effortlessly while she's jamming. Legs for days, Ace will fight through every and any injury, ready to fight to the finish for her team.

The New Players

Smashmelo. Smash is new to the team this year, and brings with her an increasing skill set or blocker and sometimes jammer.

Prince-Sass Diana. Sass is not only one of our best NSOs, she is an up and coming star player! Just watch her, as she jams past all the blockers, or blocks all the jammers.

Check out all our Sallies, as they battle the Bluestocking Bombers in tomorrow night's championship bout!

CLICK HERE for more details or visit our website at baystatebrawlers.com (link at the top of the page!)

Throwback Post - "8 Ways Derby Has Ruined My Life"

Are you ready for another throwback post from one of our skaters?

Sylvia Wrath wrote this in October of 2013, but I think it will be true forever…

The Top 8 Ways Roller Derby Ruined My Life

1. My jeans don’t fit anymore.

Before derby I was a lifelong sufferer of P.B.S., or Pancake Butt Syndrome to you novices. I always purchased the “slim fit” jeans which ended up having a baggy bum after just one wear, anyway. Now that I’ve done more squats than I care to remember and am constantly trying to get lower to strengthen and improve my form, I’ve moved up to the “Diva.” Old Navy shoppers know what this means: big ass, thick thighs, with a smaller waist. I’ll take it!

2. I have no manners anymore/I’m gross.

I would like to think I’m a very well-mannered person in “real life.” As soon as I lace up my skates this seems to go away. I swear, I occasionally yell, and I more-than-occasionally drop my mouth guard on the ground and pop it right back in without a second thought (sorry, husband, you have to kiss me with that mouth).

Any derby girl knows about “derby stink.” We constantly talk about who the stinkiest girl at practice is – and I wouldn’t say the stinky girl of the week wears her title with pride, but we’ve certainly lost any sort of shame that comes with being the stinky kid.

3. I’ve lost the right to “bare arms.”

Going in to work on a Monday morning with faded Sharpie© numbers on your arm just screams professionalism, doesn’t it? Especially when you’re a high school teacher – wait, it gets better: especially when your derby number is also your classroom number. Many a student has asked me about my numbers to which I always respond, “It’s so I can find my way back to my room on Monday mornings. Mondays are tough for us teachers.” I’ve since bought arm bands.

4. I’m violent.

I swear I haven’t always been this way. I find myself looking at inanimate objects thinking about how far I could hip-check them or if I could lift them up. Couches, beware when Wrath is around: your arms look like the perfect height for practicing hits. Tickle-fights will never be the same at our house since I’ve become a derby girl. I’m not even going to talk about how derby has affected my driving – Liberty Mutual might up my rates.

5. My social life is ruined.

I’ve never had so many events to attend in my life. To be frank, derby is a giant time commitment. I practice around seven hours a week, have weekend events, practice planning, and meetings to attend. It seems to takes up as much time as part-time job. It’s something I love, so I’m willing to sacrifice my time. It’s easy to let your entire world be overtaken by the derbabeast, but you must find balance or you’ll discover the relationships you had before derby will fade away. Yes, derby is a time suck, and I don’t skip practice for anything but work or illness, but it’s so very worth it.

6. I’m provincial.

Do you want to talk about derby or books? No? Well, enjoy an uncomfortable silence for awhile. I have an uncontrollable urge to “talk shop” with anyone who’ll listen about how awesome our sport is. My poor husband-to-be gets glassy eyed more than I’d like to admit. But seriously, how could anyone not find derby interesting?

7. My wardrobe is no longer fit for public.

Stacy and Clinton would be so ashamed. Sparkly booty shorts and ripped tights have become acceptable wardrobe choices for the public sphere. Yes, family restaurants, pumping gas, a quick run to Target… we wear it everywhere. I, at the very least, try to wear my jersey or team jacket to assuage the strange looks I get from passersby.

Truthfully, I can’t even put into words (and I love words) what derby has done for me. Even when my schedule is chaotic and practice is the last place I want to be, it fixes everything. I always feel better after I skate. I love my teammates and I love this league. Derby is a welcoming community to all types of people and I encourage you to check it out in whatever capacity works for you: as a player, a referee, a non-skating official, or a spectator.

If you’re interested in joining our league, email [email protected].

Sylvia Wrath #213 Punishers (C)/Bombers (C)

For all you readers out there, we have a new Freshmeat class starting THIS SUNDAY! Visit our website or Facebook event for all the details!

Be sure to follow us on tumblr, twitter, instagram and facebook for all the most up to date information regarding our league (and some fun pictures)!

#baystatebrawlers

#baystatebrawlers #rollerderby #freshmeat #centralmassachusetts #massachusetts

The Bluestocking Bombers

Next up: THE BLUESTOCKING BOMBERS

Gold Bottom Gals

The Coach: Deep InCider

Cider, similar to Cilantro, hails from the Mass Maelstrom men’s league. When he’s not skating for a vikings win or coaching the Bombers, you can see him on the track as BSB’s head ref.

The co-captains: Airy-Skate Olson #572 and Sylvia Wrath #213

Airy-Skate Olson (Airy) can surprise any opponent with the amount of strength she possesses. Don’t belive me? Just challenge her to an arm wrestling match, and she’ll put you to shame.

Sylvia Wrath (Wrath) will be happy to tell you all about her days as a struggling, freshmeat skater, but it’s hard to believe her. She can get low and swoop any player off the track. Not only that, but she’s one of our heads of training, and runs a mean endurance practice.

The Veterans: CRUSTACEAN #178, Shar’n da Hurt #889, and Translucid #90, Habeas Corpsemaker

CRUSTACEAN (Crush) is a double threat block and jammer. She is great at strategy and working with her team. She leading our training committee with Wrath to whip us all into shape!

Shar’n da Hurt (Sharon) is often known for.. well… sharin’ the hurt. She will knock you down, bring you back and repeat as necessary. But no matter how many times she takes you down, you still love her!

Translucid (Luci) is a skater that you can look at and see her good form; when she gets low it really does look like she’s sitting in a chair. She will juke around all the opposing skaters, injury or not, and come out on top.

Habeas Corpsemaker (Habie) returns to us after skating with BDD and also after a major injury. It’s her season to be back on the track and nothing will stop her. She fights with the fiery passion of a dedicated skater.

The Newbies: Big Booty Judy #182, Bombchelle #615, Burstin’ Bubbles #15, and Maddie McFly #88mph

Big Booty Judy (Booty) is in her first season with the Bombers and your won’t forget her, just look for her ever changing hair color. She’s a fantastic stylist and has been cutting many of the skaters’ hair, so they look good for our bout. It’s just a distraction while she booty bumps you.

Burstin’ Bubbles (Bubbs) is becoming one of the most feared jammers on the track. Just watch her footwork, I bet your eyes won’t be able to keep up!

Maddie McFly joins the Bombers after being a member of BSB and our esteemed bout manager for a couple seasons. She has fought her way through injuries and set backs and climbed all the way to being a teamed skater. You’ve seen her running around organizing our bouts, now you get to see her on the track!

Bombchelle is not quite a newbie to rollerderby, but a new skater to BSB and the Bombers. Her athletic and figure skating background make her a graceful player to watch on the track as she makes her way through the pack.

The Lumberjackies

With our playoff game this Sunday, at Roll On America, we thought it would be good for you to get to know our 2 teams, fighting it out to get to play in the championships.

First up: THE LUMBERJACKIES

Chop Chop Chop!

The Lumberjackies our the Bay State Brawler’s newest hometeam. In their third season, they are making a name for themselves. With veterans, new skaters, and all those in between, The Lumberjackies are a great mix of skill and competance. Do you know all the skaters? Let’s meet them!

The Coach: Cilantro

Cilantro comes to the Lumberjackies from the #4 ranked MRDA league, the Mass Maelstrom (Go Vikings!). When he’s not skating and juking all around the track, he is a great coach, using his vast knowledge of game play and team strategy to help his team defeat their opponent!

The Co-Captains: Sandra Mean #736 and Dessa Destruction #317

Sandra Mean (Meanie) is back, for her second game after a knee injury last season. In the August game, she received MVB, let’s see what she can do in September.

Dessa Destruction (Dessa) is in her second season with the Lumberjackies and is a great captain and skater. She got the best up and coming blocker award last year, and she definitely deserves that one!

The Veteran Jackies: B-Line Blondie #007, Kenya Diggit #6ftd, Mercedes Bunz #226, and (newley returning) Cheeky Chaplin #411

B-Line Blondie (Blondie) is often refered to as “gumby” because of her incredible ability to avoid any hit thrown by the other team, and still make it out of the pack and become lead jammer.

Kenya Diggit (Kenya) is a tough blocker to get around on the track. She knows when and where to hit the opposing team to knock them down and help out her jammer. She can do it all - offense and defense.

Mercedes Bunz (Bunz) is tiny, but tough. Watch her throw a shoulder to another skater's check and knock down players half her size. Pushing herself as hard as she can, she'll do it all!

Cheeky Chaplin (Cheeky) is back on the Lumberjackies this season, after skating elsewhere. You may not recognize her name (::coughHotMesscough::) but you will definitely recognize her hard hits and dedication to her team on the track.

The newbies: Jail Bait Kait #16, Gratefall Dead #401, and Stirup Trouble #10cm.

Jail Bait Kait (Kait) is new to BSB this season, but not to the world of roller derby. She’s skated on a team in Washington state before moving to Massachusetts. When she not on the track, twerkin’ it out, she is mom to a puppy, a cat, six chickens, and a fanny pack.

Greatfall Dead (D) joined the Jackies at the start of the season. Besides epically falling, D has the advantage of being a mere 5’ tall… making it easier to get low and hit ‘em where it hurts.

Stirup Trouble (Trouble) is back for her second game of the season. Like her name? Well, if you didn’t know, it suits her perfectly: she is a midwife! Trouble is one of the most dedicated skaters and continues to improve all the time!

Guest skating for the Jackies: Smashmelo #923 and Ashlee Juggz #32DD…. but more about these borrowed Sallies later. All you need to know is that there hearts will be in the game to help the Jackies get to the championships!

Check out all the action at our playoff bout, on Sunday, September 7th at Roll on America. Doors open at 6pm. First whistle at 6:30. Tickets are $10.

As promised we will be posting some blog entries that highlight skaters freshmeat and derby experiences!

First up: Sandra Mean, #736

Meanie returned as a bouting skater at our last bout on August 9th (her first game back after 11 months of injury recovery) and got MVB!

Here's an entry from March 2012, where Meanie talks about her experiences from learning derby skills to becoming a teamed skater:

One year ago, March 2nd 2011, to be exact, I took the plunge and joined the Fresh Meat class offered by what was then CMRD. Wow has my life changed dramatically since then. In the past year I went from learning basic skills and struggling to pass my assessments, being teamed and my first bout, to being on the BSBRD board and being named to the Petticoat Punishers, and making some of the most amazing friends a girl could have in her life.

Let’s back up a little bit to the start of my “derby career”, I had known I wanted to derby since I was quite young – for me it was way before seeing “Whip It” or watching “Rollergirls” on A&E. I remember watching banked track derby on TV in the late 80’s when it would come on after American Gladiators. I would watch and think, that is a sport I could LOVE! I was never most athletic person–yes, I played sports in jr. high, threw shot put in high school, but no one was ever going to call me an athlete. Always in the back of my head was this crazy sport where being a “big girl” could actually be an advantage.

When I moved to Boston in 2006 I did some research and found the Boston Derby Dames. After a number of years of health issues, I finally felt ready to give this crazy sport a try in the fall of 2010. I went to a few BDD clinics, bought my gear at Bruised - fell a couple times just trying on my skates - and went to the BDD tryouts in October. I knew there was about zero chance I was going to make their league that year, but I wanted to at least give it a try. Once I didn’t make it and assumed that I would try again next year until my fabulous friend Arrow introduced me to Bad Ass Mama (BA) and the new fresh meat program she was going to run. I decided to take the plunge and join the league.

While some of my fresh meat mates sailed through the beginning of our class easily, I struggled a fair amount. I wanted it badly and worked my ass off (quite literally) at practice and open skates. It took me 2 times to pass my level 1 assessment which made me want it more. I knew that roller derby was something that I loved and was determined that I would be successful at it. I knew I would never be the best on the track, but I was going to be the best I could be for my team. After I passed my level 1 assessment I was able to move on to the “hitting” phase of our training my love for derby was reaffirmed. I’m not sure what it says about me, but I really love hitting and being hit by my friends on the track! I picked up some AWESOME bruises along the way and gave a few too. Again, a number of classmates assessed for their level 2s and passed while I still had work to do to be safe on the track. Luckily, I had Kenya going along at the same pace I was. While I cheered them I kept skating and working on my skills until I passed in late June. I was super pumped to be able to scrimmage, but even more so to officially make shirts with my name and number.

It was then time to start scrimmaging and have the opportunity to be drafted on to a home team before the 2011 season was over. I had no idea how quickly that would happen! I started scrimmaging and generally felt like a waste of space on the track. I often could see what was happening or going to happen, but couldn’t get myself to the spot I needed to be. It was very frustrating, but I could feel myself getting a little more helpful to my teammates with each scrimmage that went by. In mid-July I was informed I was drafted – I was officially a Bluestocking Bomber…and I would be playing in my first bout in a week! That meant a quick call to Derby Skinz to get my shiny gold skirt and thankfully not too much time to freak out.

I was able to bout with the Bombers twice in 2011 which apparently makes me a vet now. It is pretty crazy to think that other skaters in our league look at me like I looked at all those other skaters a year ago. Somehow, through this crazy journey of the last year, I’ve learned how to hold my own on the track, but still have a ton to learn about the game. Derby has given me one of the best years of my life – and I know this year is going to be even more incredible.

Be sure to sign up for our new FRESH MEAT CLASS which starts on September 14. Visit our website and make sure to follow us on tumblr, twitter, instagram and facebook for all the most up to date BSB information!

#baystatebrawlers #rollerderby #freshmeat

#instagram #roller derby #bay state brawlers

Upcoming (awesome) Events!

I know you haven't had enough derby... because you can never have enough.

Here are some upcoming dates where you can catch your favorite Brawlers (or even become one!)!

Conrad's Second Annual Cruise Night

Antique cars, ice cream, community, music, beer, and seafood (of course)! Your Bay State Brawlers will be there, decked out in our best and our skates to tell you all about our league, take pictures with you, and invite you to come to our next bout!

Speaking of...

The Persistence of Derby

Join us on August 9th, in the Gaetz Arena at the Wallace Civic Center for a double header, pitting our Petticoat Punishers against the Hartford Wailers from CT.... and the Bluestocking Bombers against the Lumberjackies!

Doors @ 4pm

First whistle @ 5:15pm

$10 at the door ($8 in advance)

We know that after you watch all this roller derby and meet all our awesome skaters at the bout that you'll be asking yourself "How can I join??"

BSB September Fresh Meat Class!

That's right! You heard it here! We have a new fresh meat class starting in September.

Email [email protected] to sign up and ask questions!

Be on the lookout for our #tbt blog posts to learn what skaters have thought as they went through fresh meat!

For more information on all our events, our class, our awesome skaters, and all things derby, be sure to visit our website at www.baystatebrawlers.com

#baystatebrawlers #rollerderby #petticoatpunishers #hartfordwailers #bsbrd #hard #bout #conradsseafood #Leominster #massachusetts #freshmeat #lancaster #Fitchburg #centralmassachusetts #wallaceciviccenter #gaetzarena

BSB Doubleheader: Life is Like a Derby Bout

July 27, 2014

Doors @ 4pm

1st Whistle @ 5:15pm

BSB Doubleheader: The Persistence of Derby.

August 9, 2014

Doors @ 4pm

1st Whistle @ 5:15pm

Click the links above for more information, or visit our website at www.baystatebrawlers.com

#rollerderby #baystatebrawlers #petticoatpunishers #hartfordwailers #brawlinbroads #worcesterrollerderby #bsbrd #word #hard #Fitchburg #wallaceciviccenter #gaetzarena

LEOMINSTER SUMMER STROLL 2014!

Do you like parades and sunshine?

Before our doubleheader on this Saturday, come check out our awesome skaters as they hand out flyers and talk to fans in the Leominster summer stroll!

For more information, click the link HERE and make sure to head to the Gaetz Areana at the Wallace Civic Center afterwards to catch all the derby action!

For more information, be sure to visit our website.at baystatebrawlers.com

#baystatebrawlers #rollerderby #leominster #leominstersummerstroll #summerstroll #parade #centralmassachusetts #wallaceciviccenter #lumberjackies #switchbladesallies #hudsonvalleyhorrors

Did you know that it's almost time for another BSB homegame!?

Head down to the Gaetz Arena at the Wallace Civic Center in Fitchburg, MA to catch some great derby action! Bring your camera to take some great pictures, and a chair, if you want to sit track-side and catch all the action.

Tickets are $8 in advance at brownpapertickets or $10 when you come in the front door!