Bouting Baby

Elise got to go to her 10th bout last weekend! Naptown Roller Girls Tornado Sirens took on Maine Roller Derby's Port Authorities and we squeaked out another victory by 4 points. It was the first bout of Naptown's 5th home season and we were excited to be skating back on our home turf after a grueling off season tournament schedule.

I'm ready for the bout!

Photo by Marc Lebryk

We were a little worried about how Elise would handle the crowd and the noise since she's more 'aware' of these things as she gets older. The Warning Belles had a bout in Dayton a couple weeks ago (we won 210-39) but it was in a small roller rink on a Sunday afternoon so there wasn't a chance to see how she'd handle the 2000+ fans we get at home. Mike went to the pre-bout hangout, a ritual for the most die hard derby fans, while Elise took her second nap of the day. I think I was more nervous trying to remember everything I needed to bring for her than I am when I coach! Fully stocked diaper bag-check. Purse-check. Jackets-check. Adorable little girl-check.

Those cheeks, seriously.

Photo by Tom Klubens

We had a minor bout of stranger anxiety when we got there. Sad face galore but once we were there for a few minutes she was fine. We took our seats by the bench ready to cheer our girls on as the crowd filed in. These awesome headphones are by Peltor and I have a feeling a lot more derby kids will be sporting them soon since I heard several people had to leave when the noise got to be too much. As an added bonus it's way better for their ears.

Standing on Hodges' massage table ready for a rub down.

Photo by Michael Guio

The girls looked great, the bout was intense. Maine only had a roster of 10 girls but it didn't show. They were eating away any lead we managed to get, sometimes in a single jam. Elise, a true derby baby, knows how to call the jam off by hitting her hips with her hands and it was pretty funny to watch her doing this. Sure she has no concept of actual game play yet but it was still pretty dang cute when she'd do it hearing me yelling for our jammer to call it off.

Happy baby.

Photo by Tom Klubens

Oh this bout is so close!!

Photo by Tom Klubens

The last jam was so crazy, Maine scored 19 points which would've tied it had Amooze Booche not come flying out of the penalty box to squeak out 4 points for us. Even after the final whistle the refs wanted to be extremely sure of the final score before declaring a winner. It was intense!!

Nice try MRD! (no seriously, we love you girls)

Photo by Tom Klubens

Elise was such a trooper through the whole thing. She didn't cry or get upset and was generally interested in what was going on. I credit the sights and the sounds for how she managed to stay awake for almost 7 hours straight. She was asleep before I even pulled out of the fairgrounds but overall I'd say her 10th bout was just as successful as the last 9. Fingers crossed she behaves for the next one because Mommy is going to be coaching so Daddy will be wrangling her solo!

Next home bout is a double header Naptown vs the Chicago Outfit on December 4th. You won't want to miss it! Go to http://naptownrollergirls.com/ for more details.