April 28, 2012 · by crossroadscityderby · in Community,League
When Crossroads City Derby received notice from Las Cruces District 1 City Councilor Miguel Silva that a few volunteers were needed for Avenue Art, New Mexico’s Premiere Street Painting event, we gathered some handy dandy derby athletes to be at the Downtown Mall first thing in the morning Saturday, April 28, 2012. Our task was to put up shade tents to protect event artists from baking in the southern New Mexico sun. Cruces Criplher, Lady Longlegs, Apache Starr, Livin’ Ya Nightmare, and General Grant Slam of CCD and Red Devil and Slam-I-Am of Minor Threat Junior Roller Derby showed up right on time to find the event coordinators had arrived about an hour before the planned meet time and put up the tents. They had a burst of energy and got an early start. This, however, did not deter us from our itch to volunteer.

It took us a bit to find something else to do, but it turned out there were a few tasks to help with including; zip tying artist/sponsor signs to tents, distributing small rugs to protect the artists’ skin from the asphalt canvas, distributing spray bottles for use on the art work, and handing out water bottles and breakfast burritos. One of CCD’s injured skaters, Apache Starr, got in on the volunteering action by handing out chalk and helping at the sign-in table.

CCDers stuck around for a bit to enjoy the Las Cruces Farmers and Crafters Market offerings including delicious coffee and lemonade. Skaters returned later to take down the shade tents and found the previously blank street covered in square after square of beautiful works of chalk art. Many of the artists worked for about 7 hours on their pieces.

During the event CCDers had a chance to work with award-winning street painter Bob Diven and local derby bout constant Russ Smith of Happy Dog. Cruces Criplher took the opportunity to make our league’s presence in and support for our community known by drawing “Crossroads City Derby” 20 feet long and 2 feet high near the check-in tent.

-General Grant Slam, #5

Comcast, every year selects a public place to be beautified. They donate volunteers, supplies, and monies to complete the project. This year MacArthur Elementary, one of Las Cruces’ lowest income schools celebrating it’s 70th anniversary was selected to receive the award. Crossroads City Derby was asked to participate in this great event. Every volunteer received a free t-shirt, breakfast, and lunch from local restaurants. As derby girls and members of the community, we were more than happy to help at this event. We pulled weeds, painted walls, picked rubber tire chips out of the playground, etc. We also were asked to demonstrate to the community what Roller Derby is all about.

As we geared up in the hot sun on the outside basketball court, we received an introduction by the school principal Carla Rodriguez, and the audience was given a play by play of the demonstration by our very own Coach Bombshell. I remember looking up at one point and seeing the entire basketball court surrounded by the volunteers watching us, even as hot as it was on that concrete, and it drove us to play even harder. Teachers, students, community members, City board members, parents, etc., were all cheering us on as we played a simple black and white scrimmage. It was an honor to play for the community and to participate in such a huge event that drew in over 1,000 volunteers to beautify a school that services kids from such diverse backgrounds. To top off the day, we got to watch our very own Choni Chaser don her Mariachi gear as her Mariachi group performed for the community. This was another great event that allowed us to see a great community come together for a great cause.

-Hearno Evil, #2

APRIL 14: SUCIAS AT ODESSA, TX (TALL CITY ROLLER BETTIES)
April 15, 2012 · by crossroadscityderby · in Bouts,Sucias
I have always enjoyed participating in athletics. I enjoy the physical activity, the mental challenge, the competition and the camaraderie amongst the team. In May of 2011 I walked into Dickerson’s barn and discovered Roller Derby. It is everything I have loved about sports and so much more. I have found an outlet for physical activity, a new mental challenge, but most of all I found a sisterhood of wonderful women. I was like a kid waiting for Christmas in the days leading up to the bout vs. the Tall City Bombshell Betties in Odessa, TX.  First, because it would be my first road trip with the Sucias. I usually bring my kids to away bouts, but this time I was on my own! Second, I was excited to test our skills against a team we had not played before and who has their very own Team Bionic member, Christy More Cowbell.

So Friday evening, we all met up and headed out. We arrived about 1 a.m. and quickly settled in to get a good night’s rest. The next morning we had quite an adventure at the local Wal-Mart. Who knows you may even find us on the people of Wal-Mart! Soon it was time to get ready for the bout. We drive up to the hangar at the airport and are beyond thrilled with their skating space. They have SOOO much room, especially after we recently have found ourselves homeless without a bouting space. Several older airplanes and memorabilia were housed in the hangar, which added to the ambiance.  The game began and we quickly realized two things. One we were working great together as a team and all our work with holding our walls and staying together were paying off. Second, the referees left much to be desired. We were facing many trips to the penalty box and the penalty board was filling up quickly.

At halftime Hearno and Barbie were in penalty trouble. Coach Bombshell was forced to sit Hearno and Barbie for the beginning of the second half. At halftime, Coach gave us a pep talk and encouraged us to step up and said some of us would be jamming that don’t typically jam. He looked at me and said, “That means you.” At first I was excited, then the second half began and he threw me the jammer panty. My heart pounded, my palms were sweaty (ok so everything was sweaty cause it was hot as hell in there, but you get what I’m saying) and I started shaking, then I looked around and saw I was surrounded by the most amazing women and realized I would be okay! The thoughts in my head started running through the list of things I knew I needed to do as a jammer, but most of all, I just said, “Don’t mess this up!” There was no way I would let these women down. This was only my 5th bout ever and just five months ago during my first Sucia bout, I didn’t even get to put a skate on the track. Now Coach is trusting me to go out there and put points on the board. What an incredible ride!

I even jammed against Christy More Cowbell and surprised myself. She was very good at juking and going around to the outside to get around the pack. Surprisingly, we figured out her strategy pretty early on and stopped her by holding a strong four wall. It was a great strategy though, especially considering the pounding you took as a jammer trying to shimmy your way through the pack or sneak through on the inside line. The game experience is much different as a jammer than as a blocker. I remember coming up to the pack and analyzing where every player is, doing my best to be patient and wait for my blockers to create an opening, and knowing I better be ready for anything. As a blocker, you need to be ready for what the jammers or other blockers are throwing your way. I was hammered every time through as a jammer, but I impressed myself. I walked away with a few impressive bruises and some scrapes on the face, but Coach threw those jammer panties my way quite a few more times, which was quite the confidence booster! I may not have made lead jammer as often as I would have liked, but I remember thinking what awesome blockers we had and how that made my job as a jammer that much easier.

The game was close the entire second half, it came down to the last two jams to determine the winner. The score teetered back and forth between Sucias lead and Tall City as lead. Tensions were high, especially with the ejection of Hearno, who now holds the record for most ejections for CCD!! Tall City got a power jam and took full advantage by having their blockers slow the pace of the game in addition to some poor split pack calls, and even worse penalty calls. Tall City was now in the lead with a strong point margin. At one point, we started a jam with only one blocker and no jammer. We were all on the edge of our seats and rallied together because we knew we weren’t about to let this slip through our fingers. Despite one minor away from ejection, Barbie was in as a jammer and she worked her magic, accruing points then calling the jam. We were now back in the lead with just one jam left. Barbie showcased her knowledge of the game and athleticism by patiently waiting for a wide open pass through the pack, as did her blockers who held back the Tall City Jammer to zero points and we all watched the clock as it slowly ticked down to 0:00. Many tears fell after that final whistle. The tension was high as we all watched and waited for the final outcome. Now it was over and time for the celebration to begin! We were all pretty emotional as we walked away with another tally in the W column! I know I will never forget this bout and the high I got from that jammer line.

-Goldy Blocks #3brs

Vendors, egg hunting, candy eating, picture taking, bubble blowing, face painting, hair chalking, music playing, food eating, rollercoasters rolling, children laughing, family bonding, occurred this year again during the Spring Fest at Young’s park; our second Annual participation as volunteers. We were able to “Derby it up” and skate around Young Park, passing out vendor maps, water to the hard working vendors, answer questions about Derby, help people find their destinations at the park, and more importantly we were put in charge of manning the parking lot. This definitely gave us much MORE love and appreciation to our law enforcement for directing traffic. We may play roller derby but directing traffic is hardcore!

Our brave Derby girls directed traffic as parking lots became full, and rolled out into the streets to stop oncoming cars to help families cross the street safely to attend the event. Its always great to see the community so involved with one another at a large, city wide event, spending time with their families, out in the fresh air, and little boys and girls smiling and waving at us as we roll by (sometimes the adults too!). Another great event CCD was able to be a part of, so hats off to you Las Cruces! See more pictures here.

-Hearno Evil, #2

The dolls of Crossroads City Derby braved the Spring desert elements to support the 1st Annual Speech and Hearing Benefit Run on April 1, 2012.  The motorcycle run started at Barnett’s Harley Davidson and hit several locations around Las Cruces and one in Hatch to raise money for NMSU students in the Speech Department. Prizes for the riders were provided by Barnett’s.

The ladies of Crossroads City Derby welcomed riders at Ump 88, which was one stop along the route. Other stops included Hooters, the Farm and Ranch Museum, Blue Moon and Sparky’s in Hatch, NM. The ladies braved the heat of sun to reach out to the motorcyclists and promote community awareness. In between turns at the check-in table, the derby dolls enjoyed refreshments from the kitchen of Ump 88, which is delicious.

CCD skaters took the opportunity to set up a booth on the sidewalk outside the restaurant. The CCD logo was proudly displayed on shirts and the ever-useful can koozie. Also featured was Sucias travel team gear and shirts with the logo of the newly created team, Las Santas. This provided proud Santas with an opportunity to promote their new team who are celebrating a, so-far, spotless record of 1-0. Yay, Santas!!

The ladies all enjoyed the day and bonding over food, music and sunburns.  Some ladies donned skates and took their chances among rocks and asphalt in the parking lot. Says skater Cruces Criplher of the rather steep hills on either side of the pub/restaurant, “Daaaaaaang!”

Motorcycle riders in this inaugural event included CCD’s very own General Grant Slam, announcer Gonads O’Brian, Hearno Evil, Mr.  H.  Evil, Barbie Bombshell and Coach Bombshell. Apparently, our ladies of CCD are just as smokin’ hot in their leather as they are in fishnets.

Crossroads City Derby is pleased to have been included in the number of volunteers for this event. As a league formed strictly of volunteer skaters, Crossroads City Derby understands and values the time and effort of volunteers and is proud to serve the Las Cruces, NM community.

– Muñeca Mala, #9mm