Category Archives: Blacksnake Rollergirls

Blacksnake Rollergirls, Dead Girl Derby, General derby, House games, KCRW, News, Photo Albums

(Tons of) Bout Photos

Leave a comment

One thing any derby fan worth his/her salt has realized in the three-ish years we’ve been doing this is that we have a lot of roller derby in this town. And that’s a good thing. Whatever your preference, whether it’s hard-hitting men’s flat track action, the WFTDA rule set, the MADE rule set, or amazing coed bouts, Kansas City roller derby has nearly everything a fan of the flat track could possibly want.

Alongside all that amazing sports action is a plethora of bout photos that we at KC Derby Digest take great pride in… and that sometimes backs us up a week or two. When you follow as much roller derby insanity as we do, that tends to happen. Game dates conflict, photos get backlogged, and we get frazzled. But it’s what we do, and we love it.

Having said that, let’s get caught up on some of the amazing bouts this fantastic city has to offer during derby season.

The 2014 Rink of Fire

Teal Teal Teal! Kill Kill Kill! The Knockouts are the 2014 Rink of Fire champions for the first time ever. They took down the formidable Black Eye Susans 134-99 in a championship bout we won’t soon forget.

Earlier that evening, the Victory Vixens secured third place against the surging Dreadnought Dorothys, who as we said earlier this week, are not to be underestimated in the coming season(s). They’ve had a rough go of it the last couple of years, but given their performance on the track at the Rink of Fire, they’re on their way back up in a big way.

Bout photos are published, people!


Click for the full photo album.

Dead Girl Derby’s Coed League

One thing that’s never been seen before in Kansas City is coed flat track roller derby. We’ve had mash-ups in the past and pick-up leagues on the banked track that sporadically featured coed action, but never before has a league featured established coed teams in which the ladies and gents directly competed on a regularly scheduled basis. Well, thanks to Dead Girl Derby, that’s all changed, and history has been made in the process.

The Public Enemies and the Untouchables debuted last month at B&D Skate Center, and we couldn’t have been more excited. The coed league not only features some of the most promising up-and-coming talent Kansas City has to offer, it also boasts some of the biggest names to ever take the track in this town, names like Bomb Pop, Jamalamadingdong, and Red Ripper, just to name a few. Ladies are coming out of retirement to play for this league, so if that doesn’t tell you how huge this is, I have some beachfront property in the desert southwest I’d like to see if you’re interested in.

Last month’s coed bout featured some of the best derby photos we’ve ever had the privilege of publishing, and you can check them out here.


Click for the full photo album.

The next coed bout will be on Sunday, May 18th at B&D Skate Center, and we’ll be sure and bring you reminders about that on Facebook and here on the web site.

Zombie League

Last season, the good people at Dead Girl Derby had one of the greatest new ideas we’ve seen since we started following this fine sport back in 2010: take the skaters who aren’t rostered for that month’s bout, for whatever reason, and roster them for a B-team-style bout against each other. They brought back the OG team names — Black Plague and Gang Green — but kept the lineups consistent and offered it up to the crowd as the third game of the evening. Fans received thrice the derby action for their money, and the ladies involved got some valuable experience on the track — and in front of an audience — that they might not have otherwise gotten.

And as this league continues to grow by leaps and friggin’ bounds, so will the amazing action fans are treated to both at Hale Arena and at B&D Skate Center. The Zombie League debuted last month alongside the Coed League, and the results were incredible. As always, we have the photos.


Click for the full photo album.

The Zombie League’s next game is again on the same night as the Coed League, May 18th. Keep an eye on our Facebook page, we’ll keep you updated.

28 Skates Later

The Blacksnake Rollergirls of St. Joseph are now in their third season and loving every minute of it. As their derby footprint continues to grow, so will their coverage here on KC Derby Digest regardless of the fact that St. Joe isn’t technically Kansas City. The league itself was founded by former Dead Girl and Royal Pain Notorious L.I.Z., who has been in the news herself recently due to some unfortunate circumstances they’re still recovering from. However, last month’s zombie-themed event, 28 Skates Later, was an incredible success at the St. Joseph Civic Arena, and as always, we were on hand to join in the festivities.

The four St. Joseph teams — the Jesse Janes, the Venomous Vixens, the Danger Dolls, and the Rushin’ Rollettes — are really starting to dazzle some people with their skill and tenacity on eight wheels, and we look forward to their bouts every month, never mind the 55-mile drive. These BRGs make it worth every mile, and if you’re so inclined, we would encourage you to check out their next game on June 7.

For now, we’ve got photos from 28 Skates Later, zombie makeup and all:


Click for the full photo album.

As always, keep an eye on KC Derby Digest‘s Facebook page for upcoming bouts, events, and fundraisers, and we will see you trackside, coming soon! Roll on, Kansas City!

Blacksnake Rollergirls, Featured Skaters, Interviews

Featured Blacksnake Rollergirl – May 2014

Leave a comment


Our featured Blacksnake Rollergirl for May 2014 is Poisonberry of the Venomous Vixens!

Name: Poisonberry
Team: The Venomous Vixens
Number: U2
Seasons with the Blacksnake Rollergirls: 1


How did you discover the Blacksnake Rollergirls?
“A few seasons ago, I contacted Notorious L.I.Z. and she game me practice information. I chickened out, though, because I didn’t know if I could ‘survive’ with my small size! Around January 2014, I happened to hear L.I.Z. on the radio announcing open enrollment and they were looking for girls. I had also ran into G.I. Dang, a fellow Maysville student back in the day, and she encouraged me to try it. My interest was also fueled by my competitive nature and participation in several sports since I was young. I thought, why not try roller derby, you only live once!”

Explain the origin of your derby name.
“My friends and family had several ideas from BlackNBlue Berry to BonyMony. I posted on Facebook asking for ideas, and my cousin, Vance, came up with Poisonberry.”

Who inspires you on the track?
“Between watching the Blacksnake Rollergirls and Dead Girl Derby, each has their own style and I try to learn from everyone. My teammates and coaches on the Venomous Vixens inspire me to keep working hard and have fun while I am doing it.”

How has roller derby changed your life?
“Definitely, I have met some wonderful people. From the skaters, fans, and people on the sidelines, everyone is helpful, encouraging, and fun to be around. Physically, surely I will end up a tougher gal. Right now I mop the floor up, but I just try to get right back up and keep rollin’.”

What is it about roller derby that brings out the best in Poisonberry?
“How long do they consider a new roller derby girl fresh meat? Either way, I still consider myself a newbie and I am still learning skate techniques and the strategies of the game. My coach says it can take a whole season to really get it. Fans may have to be patient and catch future bouts, the best of Poisonberry is yet to come!”

Blacksnake Rollergirls, Featured Skaters, Interviews

Featured Blacksnake Rollergirl — April 2014

Leave a comment


Our featured Blacksnake Rollergirl for April 2014 is Notorious L.I.Z. of the Jesse Janes!

Name: Notorious L.I.Z.
Team: The Jesse Janes
Number: 3X
Seasons with the Blacksnake Rollergirls: 3
Seasons with Dead Girl Derby: 2


How did you discover the Blacksnake Rollergirls?
“Well I guess you could say the Blacksnake Roller Girls found me! I had been playing with Dead Girl Derby and was finishing my second season when I realized that I just could not afford the commute to Kansas City anymore. I didn’t want to give up roller derby, so I asked DGD to help me start roller derby in St Joseph. I wanted to bring something I loved so much to other women, but mostly I wanted the opportunity to continue playing! So with a lot of help from DGD, I started Blacksnake Roller Girls. I guess you could say BRG is my love child.”

Explain the origin of your derby name.
“The lovely Ms. Kara Whiplash came up with it. She said that every time she say my name in the league group forum, Notorious L.I.Z. popped in her head, and it stuck. It helped that I couldn’t think of anything more creative on my own! I almost was Molotov Manley, or Flippin’ Pipkin. I do still get name envy every now and then, when I hear a name that’s really creative and fun!”

Who inspires you on the track?
“You really gonna ask me that when I skate with so many inspiring women?! Sheesh, put a girl on the spot, whydoncha! I honestly have to say, and I’ve told her many times, that I wanna be like Jamalamadingdong when I grow up.”

How has roller derby changed your life?
“It has helped me earn a new respect for myself, and remind me that I’m not a sum of my titles (mom, wife, boss, etc). I realized that it is true that one person really can make a big difference in a lot of peoples’ lives. It has also given me the opportunity to be just Liz for a few hours a week, just be me, and not have to be cook, maid, wife, lover, mom, nurse, detective, shoe locator, taxi, disciplinarian, snuggle giver, milk dispenser, baby soother, juice pourer, mediator, and reminder. It’s an amazing feeling to shed those things for a couple hours, put on my skates, and glide.”

What is it about roller derby that brings out the best in Notorious L.I.Z.?
“Since I get to put myself out there for people to watch, I get to be outgoing and have fun doing it! No one wants to watch a roller derby girl who isn’t enjoying it, or at least fighting to win! You wouldn’t think by watching me, but I’m quite the homebody. Having to buckle up 3+ kids in a minivan (that right there takes more time than driving to the store) means it easier to stay home. I’ve has certainly mellowed out a lot. My mom used to call me a party-in-a-box. So the showmanship part of roller derby, hands down, gives me that outlet to be the extrovert that I really am.”

Blacksnake Rollergirls, Community, News

Taking Care of Our Own

Leave a comment

The derby community, as big as it is in Kansas City, has seen its share of hardship in the past couple of years, and we always seem to pull together and get through it. Unfortunately, tragedy struck again over the weekend as Notorious L.I.Z., founder of the Blacksnake Rollergirls, and her family lost their home to a fire. No one was home at the time, so everyone is safe. The house and everything in it, though, was a total loss.

But as always, we’re coming together to take care of our own.


Click to see the Go Fund Me fundraiser page.

MX Plosion, formerly of the Kansas City Banked Beauties and now refereeing for the Blacksnake Rollergirls, has set up a Go Fund Me page to help Liz and her family recover from this astounding loss. As of press time, they’ve already racked up over $3,000 in donations (in the first 24 hours), but the question remains — is it really possible to do enough for a family in this situation? No. No, it is not.

So don’t be deterred by the lightning pace with which the fundraising “goal” was reached. MX has said the donation page will remain open through this coming Friday, and we’d like to see donations surpass the $5,000 mark if at all possible. If you’re at all able, even the smallest donation will add up and help this dear family as they piece their lives back together. We can’t even imagine the loss. But the good the community is already doing is enough to bring a tear to the eye, although we frankly wouldn’t expect anything less from the people of Kansas City roller derby.

Other Ways to Help

What’s that you say? What are some other things you can do to help the Notorious family during this extremely difficult time? We’re sure glad you asked:

To begin with, you can drop off donations of clothing and toys at the St. Joseph Firefighters Hall on Tuesday nights from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. It’s located at 4314 S. 40th St, St. Joseph MO 64507.

In addition, there’s also a Rummage and Bake Sale Fundraiser happening on April 26th in at the corner of Grand and Walnut in Cameron, Missouri. Follow that linky-pooh to see the Facebook event page. There’s a list of things they’ll be accepting as donations for the fundraiser, and they’ll even make arrangements to pick things up if you’re not able to go very far.

And finally, KC Carr of KC Derby Digest will be making a trip up to St. Joseph this Saturday to take donations of clothing, toys, gift cards, and anything else you might want to send along. Feel free to e-mail him at kcderbydigest [at] gmail-dot-com, and he’ll make arrangements for pick-up/drop off of any donations you’re generous enough to provide.

Edited to add: Many of you have been asking for needed clothing sizes, so we’re updating today’s post to include those. There are seven individuals altogether: two adults (male and female), plus three boys and two girls:

Men’s size L shirts, 32×34 pants, 10.5 shoes
Women’s size S shirts, 10 pants, 7 shoes
Baby boy clothes, 3-6 months
Size 2-3t girls 6 shoes
Size 5 girls size 11 shoes
Size 6 boys size 11 shoes
Size 8 boys size 3 shoes

Seventh Day Benefit Concert

Finally, the band Seventh Day, always a friend to Kansas City roller derby, is donating all advance ticket proceeds from their show this Saturday, April 12 to benefit the Notorious L.I.Z. family.


Click to see the Facebook event page.

The show will be held at the All-Star Rock Bar at 7210 NE 43rd Street in KCMO. The first band will go on at 9:00, and the show will also feature Approaching Midnight and The Summit. (Order of the bands won’t be known until showtime.) Details on how to order advance tickets are posted on the Facebook event page, just click that photo right there.

In addition to the advance ticket donation, Seventh Day will be raffling off this guitar, which will be autographed by all members of the band and presented to the winner of the raffle at the end of the show Saturday night. All proceeds from the raffle will, of course, go to help the family as well.


Click to see the full-size photo.

We simply can’t thank you all enough for your unbelievable support. The Kansas City roller derby community is like nothing we’ve ever seen. Thanks to all the leagues who have helped/donated, enormous thanks to Seventh Day for their compassion and generosity, and most of all, thank you, the readers of KC Derby Digest, who encompass all of the above and more. We couldn’t do a bit of this without you.

Blacksnake Rollergirls, General derby, House games

28 Skates Later

Leave a comment

Tonight, at the St. Joseph Civic Arena, the Blacksnake Rollergirls host Game 3 — aptly titled 28 Skates Later — and for a handful of reasons, it may turn out to be one of the most important events of their incredible 2014 season.


Click to see the Facebook event page.

Someone will be bringing home their first win of the season… and someone else will be notching their first L of 2014.

First on the agenda tonight, the Jesse Janes and the Venomous Vixens are both vying for their first win of the season. These two thus-far winless teams are hardly short on talent; both are quality teams with fantastic rosters that just haven’t hit their stride yet this year and look for things to start turning around tonight. The second game of the night features two undefeated teams in the Rushin’ Rollettes and Danger Dolls, both of them expansion teams that were new to the league last year. The Danger Dolls are the defending Blacksnake Rollergirls champions, but look for the Rollettes to aim their high-speed artillery squarely at the Ladies in Blue in a bid to possibly take home the house cup this season. Both games tonight should be extremely competitive and close, and we can’t wait to see who comes out on top.

As always, there will be a 50/50 raffle, the Chuck-a-Duck contest between games, terrific vendors, and all the BRG merch you can afford. Doors open at the Civic Arena at 5:00 p.m., and the first game will begin promptly at 6:00. Join us in St. Joseph tonight for 28 Skates Later!

Blacksnake Rollergirls, Featured Skaters, Interviews

Featured Blacksnake Rollergirl – March 2014

Leave a comment


Our featured Blacksnake Rollergirl for March 2014 is Hott-Ness Monster of the Danger Dolls!

Name: Hott-Ness Monster
Team: The Danger Dolls
Number: 04
Seasons with the Blacksnake Rollergirls: 3


How did you discover the Blacksnake Rollergirls?
“I discovered BRG in late 2011, Harlee Hooters asked if I wanted to skate and knock girls around. How could I say no to that?? All I had to do was learn how to skate!!”

Explain the origin of your derby name.
“I was having trouble coming up with a skater name. It was a couple girls from the league that started naming off some stuff and as soon as I heard Hott-Ness Monster I knew that was the name for me!”

Who inspires you on the track?
“I got into this sport knowing nothing about skating except how to fall a lot! There are two skaters that have inspired me from the very start of my derby career. Fire Wyer, who had come up to help get all of the BRG skaters skills tested to play in our first bout. I remember thinking I wish I looked that comfortable in my skates! The other that made a huge impression on me was later in 2012 when DGD’s Pippi Strongblocking came up to help run a practice and offer pointers when we skated at Bode Ice Arena. She was trying to teach ‘Boom Boom Pow,’ and again, I was blown away by her talent on her skates. Both of these ladies along with many more have really inspired me in more ways than one.”

How has roller derby changed your life?
“Roller derby has done so much for me. To start with, I found an athleticism I never knew I had. This sport has given me more confidence in myself than I have ever experienced with anything else. I found qualities I wasn’t aware I had, leadership being one of them. Without derby, I would never have had the opportunity to form so many wonderful friendships!”

What is it about roller derby that brings out the best in Hott-Ness Monster?
“I truly love the game from start to finish, there really isn’t one thing that I can nail down that sticks out above the rest. I love the fans, my team, blocking, hitting, scoring, the camaraderie between teams when playing… I LOVE it all!!”