Roller Derby in the Mother Lode

Roller Derby in the Mother Lode

Are you old enough to remember the Bay City Bombers or the Kansas City Rollers? I remember watching them on television when I was growing up. There wasn't much on TV in those days but Saturday mornings, after cartoons were over, the roller derby was on. It was great entertainment for the stormy winter days when you couldn't play outside.

About a year ago, I noticed a couple of young women dressed in roller derby garb. I began talking with them and was surprised to learn that roller derby was on its way back as a popular form of entertainment.

Roller derby has been growing in popularity again all along the Central Valley of California. Now, the Mother Lode has an organized league called the Mountain Derby Girls. One team in the league, the High Country Hellcats, will play their first home bout against the Atomic Assault from Fresno tonight at the High Country Sports Arena at 8960 Waylon Way in Sonora.

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for tri tip sandwiches, beverages and live music by Wreckless. The derby will start at 8 p.m. Advance tickets for adults are $10, available at the High Country Sports Arena, Jamestown Harley-Davidson, Studio C and Sierra Sirens. Ticket prices at the door are: adults $12, children 5 to 12 are $5 and ages 4 and under are free. Proceeds will go toward roller derby league equipment.