Cape's roller girls take on Ky. team

The hard-hitting roller girls are back at it, this time for a doublehead-arrrr.

The Cape Girardeau Roller Girls will take on Vette City Roller Derby from Bowling Green, Ky., in "Skating the High Seas" Saturday at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau. First, CGRG's Rage Brigade will play Vette City's Bowling Green Hot Broads. In the second bout, CGRG's Abusement Company will go up against the Vette City Vixens. Doors open at 5 p.m., with the first bout starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door, and children 5 and younger get in free. Advance tickets can be purchased at Bootheel Harley-Davidson, Pitter's Cafe and Lounge, P-Mac Music and brownpapertickets.com. A portion of proceeds from the bouts will go to ManExam.

Recently, SE Live caught up with CGRG president Julie Ann Moser Strickland, better known as Bobbie Soxxx on the track, who founded the league with Sylvia Smash and Revenjamin after attending a February 2010 bout in Marion, Ill. Strickland had never played a team sport before, but soon found herself deeply involved, even planning her wedding so that it wouldn't conflict with any derby events.

CGRG has begun to attract a significant following in Southeast Missouri, less than two years after their first bout. What started as an unfamiliar sport in the area now regularly sells out the Arena Building.

The team abides by all rules and regulations set by the Women's Flat Track Derby Association, of which they hope to become a member. All guidelines set by the WFTDA are designed to keep the players safe, and seven skating referees and 12 nonskating officials enforce them. There are legal and illegal hits, and players spend time in the penalty box when they don't abide by the rules.

We asked Strickland (aka Soxxx) about the team, the sport and the experience. For more information about the derby, go to capegirardeaurollergirls.com.

SE Live: First of all, explain to folks who have never been what the environment is like at your bouts. What might people be surprised to find out if they go?

Bobby Soxxx: There are lots of families and kids who come to our bouts on a regular basis. The kids love it. Often, the kids get more excited than the adults. Post bout they always want autographs from the skaters.

SE Live: You guys have your "Skating the High Seas" doubleheader event coming up Saturday. What's different about the two bouts? Give us sort of a scouting report on your opponent, and why you guys will prevail.

Bobby Soxxx: This bout is a doubleheader with bouts from both our A and B team. B team plays first and A team immediately after. We will be playing against Vette City Roller Derby's A and B teams for both bouts. VCRD has been an established league much longer than CGRG, and we have never played them before. I don't know how it will all play out, but I am sure both bouts will be close.

SE Live: Who are some of the star players to watch for, and why?

Bobby Soxxx: Molotov and Grenade O'Connor are my personal favorites to watch. Molotov hits like a beast and causes all kinds of chaos to the other team. Grenade is an excellent jammer and, even though she is tiny, can knock down the biggest skaters.

SE Live: Tell me about the legendary after-parties you guys throw.

Bobby Soxxx: Even if we don't win the bout, CGRG always wins the after-party. If you don't know what it takes to win an after-party, then you need to come to one immediately. Our after-parties are always held at Pitters shortly following home bouts. They are open to the public, and there is no cover. They usually have some awesome drink specials, too. It's a lot of drinking, dancing and leg wrestling.

jsamons@semissourian.com

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