Fishnet, Tattoos and Pigtails

The Dutchland Rollers are Lancaster’s own roller derby team. They are associated with the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (http://www.wftda.com/). Saturday night, July 11, they hosted the Steel City B-Unit from Pittsburgh at Overlook Activities Center, 2040 Lititz Pike. I headed up to try my hand at sports photography, armed with a brand new Canon PowerShot SX200 IS.

Tickets are $10, but some of the proceeds from each match go to a charity. This month, it was Cancer Aid of Gap. You also get a glossy program that explains the rules and a chance at door prizes. And there are raffles that take place in between periods, so bring your folding money.

The action is fast and the rules are complicated. Luckily, you don’t have to understand much to enjoy the spectacle. The short version is that a “Jammer” from each team tries to break through the “Pack”.
The Jammers wear stars on the helmets. The first one to do so cleanly, controls that round (or “Jam”). Points are awarded for many things, but mostly for passing other players. For a more information, see www.wftda.com/rules.

Matches are advertised as family-friendly, and they are... in an alternative kind of way. Tattoos and short skirts abound, and not just on the women. The bonnet-wearing mascot, Hester, is played by a guy. Even some of the spectators are a sight. If that bothers you, perhaps you aren't the target demographic. But everyone is friendly and even new vistitors can have a good time. There are always plenty of extra team members around willing to answer questions.

Players take on psuedonyms like Ruthless Ness, White Thrash, and Cherry Crush. Like the feigned bloodlust, it's part of the fun.

The Rollers are on the road in August. Their next bout at Overlook is September 19, 6:30pm, vs. the HubCity HellRazors. That may seem far away while baseball teams are playing every day, but consider the beating that these ladies take. That time is needed for bruises to heal.

Sports photography with ambient light is tough, and not for a little snapshot camera. You must need a lot of light and super fast film. Or a monster flash. Most of my shots are primarily blurs, even with the ISO set at 1600. But, it does take HD video (which has to then be downgraded to put on the web, of course).