The Place Where Ludington Talks

JAM SESSION

A RAGGEDY BUNCH

There is just too much noise in the world. Or maybe just my world. It’s the same static every day on our News channels. Trump is loud, the Dems are loud. It’s Ground Hog Day; everything is the same and nothing changes. Except for the noise, it just keeps getting louder.

So, I had to take a step back. I needed a quiet and peaceful space to rest my mind and soul. So, I went to a women’s roller derby match at Grand Rapids. A compete escape from my everyday frustrations. An emotional Enema to clean the mind and soul.

I could hear in the distance Johnny Urban calling over the loudspeaker “All skate, skate safely please”, well, that’s not going to happen at Jam Sports (3125 28^th St SW). Jam Sport is a large steel building adding to the “industrial” atmosphere of blue-collar hard work. Home to the Grand Rapids Raggidy women’s roller derby team.

Today’s roller derby is a bit different from your grandparent’s roller derby. Gone are the banked oval tracks. Instead matches are held on a “flat track”. The all-purpose flooring at Jam Sports makes for an excellent venue.

I remember watching roller derby “back in the day”, The Thunder Birds and the Bay Area Bombers are two teams that come to mind. It was quite a spectacle. The banked oval track added speed to the match. Not to mention a player being sent over the rail from a well-placed hit that sends them off their desired path. The “Kfabe” is gone as well, it’s all sport now. Actors need not apply.

Each jam starts with ten players on the track. Eight are called “blockers” and two are “jammers”. The jammers start at the back of the pack and works their way through all the blockers. They must skate completely around the track and work their way back through the opponent’s “blockers” to score points. Only the jammer that is out in front (in the lead) can score points.

Although the flat track makes for a slower sport, it also offers the fans different viewing experience. Much of the focus is on the blockers, the eight women scrum that slowly moves around track. The chaos and hand-to-hand combat, trying to create a path for their jammer to break free. A player’s size, speed or athleticism is secondary to a great “hip check” and a good dental plan.

They promote women’s roller derby as an “all inclusive” sport for women. It’s so much more. I’ve never been to a more “fan friendly” sporting event. Admission was $15.00, I believe. That’s for two hours of derby action. Music is played over the PA system. Just loud enough to add background music. You can hear it but it’s comfortable. A food truck is parked outside of the venue. Great food and reasonably priced. There is a concession stand inside the venue, snacks and pop was $1.00 a can. You could “brown bag” an adult beverage (you didn’t hear this from me).

There isn’t a bad seat at the event. There are times when the scrum is directly in front of you. Players are more than happy to talk with you and there is the after party with the team at a local establishment.

It’s an enjoyable and inexpensive two-hour break from society’s noise. The next home event is Saturday, November 8^th.

JAM SESSION

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