The Chesapeake Roller Derby team Mutiny defended the ship well, but it was the South Jersey Derby Girls who rolled to a 56-29 victory Jan. 23 in the first-ever roller derby event at the Danele Shipley Memorial Arena at the Carroll County Ag Center, in Westminster.

An estimated 1,200 fans packed the arena for the debut of roller derby in Carroll on a cold night, but warmed up to the thrills, spills and personalities of the event.

"First time we have ever had a roller derby in Carroll County," declared Bruce Main of WTTR, who introduced players and served as official "starter."

Main said roller derby had already been well-received by his listeners. "I was in tears laughing so hard on air announcing the names last Friday," he said.

The skaters, most of whom are employed as professionals such as lawyers, doctors, accountants and architects, have a "derby name" — from "Molly Wanna Crack Her" to "Marzipain."

"It's been fun," said the Mutiny team coach, "Siouxsie Slaughter," who goes by the name of Susan Rose at her day job at Vinci Stone Products, in Marriottsville. She's also co-owner of Black Eyed Susan Skate Shop.

Slaughter said of the evening's bout, "the team worked well together. ... Some of the (players) are new skaters."

The team plays under the Old School Derby Association rules. Each team puts five people on a track. One is a jammer, and his or her goal is to get through a pack of skaters and then lap them. Three members of each team are blockers who aim to stop the jammer. The last player is called a pivot.

The audience didn't seem to care if they understood the nuances of the game.

Craig Giles, of Westminster, attended with his wife Lois, and son, Jeff.

"It's a life experience. You have to see it (at least) once," he said. "It was either this or go to the opera."

Reinforcing that opera component was Lara Bruckmann, a soprano opera singer who sang the national anthem during opening ceremonies. Bruckmann, whose skater name is "Doris Day of Reckoning," then donned her wheels and hit the floor.

Jalna Brown, a spectator who was there with her sister, Lori Graham, said, "We were out for an adventure and ended up at the roller derby.

"It reminds me of skating on Pennsylvania Avenue (in Westminster) in the '70s."

Rolling into town

Chesapeake Roller Derby is donating a portion of the proceeds from its first season at the Carroll County Ag Center to the American Breast Cancer Foundation. Remaining home games are:

* March 13 vs. Richmond Derby Demons, from Richmond, Va.

* June 5 vs. Antihero Derby Alliance, from Fredericksburg, Va.

* Aug. 28 vs. Penn Jersey She Devils, from Philadelphia.

* Oct. 30 vs. Man's Ruin Roller Derby, from Chester, Pa.

All games are held at Shipley Arena, Carroll County Ag Center, 707 Agriculture Drive, Westminster. Doors open at 5 p.m. Games start at 6 p.m. Event includes food, vendors and halftime activities. Tickets, $15; $8 for children 12 and under are available before each game. For more information, go to www.chesapeakerollerderby.com.

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