Burning River Roller Girls at the Wolstein Center at CSU on March 13

OK, I was a little skeptical about attending roller derby. I did spend a couple of days getting reacquainted with the sport, watching old clips of Joanie Weston on YouTube. But I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised by many things while seeing it live at the Wolstein Center at Cleveland State on March 13. The crowd of over three thousand was really into it, knowing the rules for the most part, and cheering for their favorite players. The girls themselves were more organized and athletic than I thought, and both bouts of the night were enjoyable to watch. There was a lot of action, and I think most people in attendance thought they got their money’s worth.
The Cleveland league is made up of four teams, with the best players on each team making up a traveling squad the Burning River Roller Girls who play in national tournaments. The local teams, the Hellbombers, the Rolling Pin-Ups, the Hard Knockers, and the Cleveland Steamers, play a round robin schedule with a championship bout set for June 10.
This is the fourth season for roller derby in Cleveland and it started with a bang, with a record setting crowd for the first of five nights of action at the their new home at Cleveland State. The next night of bouts is on Saturday, April 3. Visit www.burning riverrollergirls.com for more information.