Boston Derby Dames

I probably attended a dozen or more bouts during a period stretching from the end of 2009 to the end of 2014.
I’ve stopped because the games just aren’t as fun to watch as they used to be.
On the plus side, the skaters are just as fan-​friendly as they used to be. I can’t fault them for that. I seem to recall there being a DJ playing music during the bout and (occasionally) a band between the bouts when I first started going to bouts… but these largely disappeared by the time I stopped going.
So what happened? The rules changed a lot during those five years and while I strongly suspect the average Boston Roller Derby (née Boston Derby Dames) player was quite a bit more athletic in 2014 than they were five years earlier — somehow the end result on the track seemed MUCH *less* like a sport than it did in 2009.
While that’s the fault of WFTDA (the sanctioning body who devises the rule sets) and not Boston Roller Derby, there’s simply no way for me to look past the fact that a reasonable emulation of roller derby can be attained by simply walking up to a wall and pushing. It is no longer even obvious (to me) why the players are wearing skates at all.
I would still recommend Boston Roller Derby «as one of those things you should see at least once» and in the «value for family entertainment» department — it would be awfully hard to top.
But you should have seen how they used to do it in the days before the Tutus gave way to bicycle shorts and the DIY sense of fun and spontaneity vanished. It really was something special and fun.
PS — One thing that did not change during those five years was the quality of the concessions at Shriner’s Auditorium. These remained consistently lousy — possibly due to the foodstuffs being as old as the octogenarian staff preparing them.

This is amazing. I’m so glad I went and brought friends :) Amazing way to spend a night

I didn’t really expect anything so was incredibly surprised by HOW MUCH FUN IT IS to go watch the Derby Dames! I saw the expo of Boston B Party vs. Austin’s Hell Marys at Simoni Ice Rink during my first weekend of this visit to Boston.
Highly highly recommend– the game is fast-​paced and easy to understand, and the commentary was perfect, explaining strategies and nuances of the game which weren’t included in the program.
The program includes a super nice schematic of how points are scored and the game works, but you really do need to listen to the commentators to understand what’s going on if you’ve never seen roller derby before.
There were food trucks outside that had big lines before the game and during halftime too. This was SO FUN and if you’re thinking about it, just go. I’ll definitely check out roller derby when I get home to Chicago and hope it’s half as fun as it was in Cambridge!

I don’t like being a hater but the event last night left something to be desired. I have all the respect in the works for the amazing derby dames with hilarious names (Maya Mangleyou, brilliant). They provide great entertainment while working basically for free. But the venue and the sport itself were a letdown. Simoni Rink has no A/​C, and the stale hot air inside brought me right back to high school. The Korean food truck outside provided good, cheap noodles, but this is the kind of event that is much more enjoyable after a beer (you can say that about a lot of spectator sports like baseball) and there was no alcohol to be found, just a vending machine that stole my dollar bills. The rules of the game are simple enough, but flawed. Penalties actually help the team that commits the fouls because the other team has fewer players to pass, hence fewer possible points. The play gets interrupted even more frequently than in football. Every time one of the jammers decides to end the jam, play stops, often just as it’s getting good. Worse, referees would go into pointless five-​minute-​long «reviews» of their rulings — pointless because there’s no video replay on which to base a discussion, and the decision usually involved some minutiae of the rule book that nobody else knows. Stop taking yourselves so seriously, refs, and let the dames roll. So, in short, great players and a great crowd (75% female) but I’d check it out in another venue and with some revised rules.

I’ve seen countless roller derby teams from all over New England, and I can say that the BDD sure can compete and put on a good show.
They often have double headers, so you get your moneys worth for entertainment.
The BDD ladies have show great sportsmanship while still getting tough. If you havent been to a bout before, I recommend trying it out at least once.

To paraphrase The Big Lebowski, «these chicks can roll man…»
I only had a vague idea what the hell roller derby was before going to see the Boston Derby Dames at the Shriners Auditorium the other day. Four hours, 2 bouts, and a few beers later, and I’m a hard sold fan! It took some time and a few explanations to get the rules down, but this sport is really something to watch. To add icing to the cake, these girls make a cool sport downright addictive.
The action is basically non-​stop as these girls put everything on the line and check/​race each other around in one hour long matches. The crazy athleticism they put out there really knocked me on my ass, and once I understood the rules, I was screaming alongside all the other die hards.
Beyond that the culture of roller derby was a refreshing change. I’ve never enjoyed sports that take themselves too seriously. Roller Derby though keeps it light and real. As a for instance, players all have their own comical monikers from «Whitey Vulgar» to «Ivonna Shankabitch». Added alongside the carnival-​esque environment of the Shriner’s concession stands and bleachers, and this is entertainment gold.
As a first time viewer, I didn’t have a huge amount of understanding or expectation for going to an event like this. Having been once and had my expectations blown away? I am damn well sure I’m going back!

When I think of roller derby two things pop in my head; the pro wrestling like roller derby they used to show on tv back in the 70’s and James Caan. Now it will only be derby at the Shriners Auditorium in Wilmington with the Boston Derby Dames. Can I say these girls are hot?! And boy can they skate! Their nicknames, refs included, were very inventive and sometimes downright hilarious (i.e. Jimichanga?)
I was lucky enough to score a complimentary ticket (thanks be to Unilocal) and with veteran fans like Sarah d. to explain the basics of scoring, etc. I got the gist of it pretty quickly. The fan support seems pretty strong and quite the variety of individuals. I’d say at least 30% are tattooed.
There’s a concession stand and you also have the honor of entering the Fez room for some adult beverages. I only wish they had a Fez you could try on. Mayhaps someday, something to aspire to.

All you need to know:
–Fast-​paced
–Great names (e.g.Maya Mangleyou)
–Big hits
–Great crowd
–Shriners
Be there or be somewhere less exciting

This is an incredible experience. Like another reviewer said, it is part circus, part sporting event. Read the rules before hand. Let the crowds’ energy wisp you away into a roller derby frenzy. Soon you’ll be stomping your feet and screaming with all the power inside you!
Cost for ticket: $ 15 … get them in advance because it is about a 15mn drive (FREE PARKING!) and it’d suck to get all the way out there for a sold out sign to slap you in the face. plus $ 15 gets you TWO games and an invite to the dance party afterwards!
Cheap snacks/​draaanks: $ 5 – 6 a beer, $ 2 – 5 pizza/​hot dawgs/​sausages, $ 3 cupcakes. They also sell cute BDD tees and stickers!
I can’t wait to go again!

I just went to my first BDD bout and I am hooked! I’ll be seeing you all there.
A couple tips: The bouts have been selling out a couple days before, so make sure to get your tickets online. Or, if you know a team member, I believe you can get tickets from them.
If you’re unclear on the rules, check out this video:

HUGE FAN and supporter of THE WICKED PISSAHS. This is great family fun each month. Cheap tickets, cheap beer and snacks, but great excitment and fun when you know the rules. the skaters are serious and go full on, and it is a physical sport.
The seats fill up quickly, so I suggest you come late so i always get a seat.

Over the last 4 months my I have been going to see the BDD play bouts at the Shriner’s Auditorium with my girlfriend and have been having an absolute blast! I never knew that roller derby existed in Massachusetts before in other parts of the country. BDD is a flat-​track, all-​girl league of skaters on three local teams (Nutcrackers, Cosmonaughties & Wicked Pissahs) and a single travel team (Boston Massacre). Each team has a theme, great outfits to support their personality and a unique mascot. Most people from the older generation of derby like to believe that it is more of the old-​school style where it was more for show with intentional injuries. Here it is a competitive sport where fights, trips, elbowing will get you tossed out of a game. However, injuries can still occur which is why no game begins without EMT present.
The roller-​girls may look tough and scary but you’ll be surprised how down-​to-​earth they all are. On many different occasions I’ve had the pleasure of meeting some of the team members and found they hold down normal jobs like you and me. Lawyers, teachers, nurses, retail workers, administrative assistants, I could go on. What is ever more creative than the costumes and outfits is how creative they can get with their derby-​names; Dreadnought, Slam Chowdah, Krushpuppy and Sugar Hits are some of my favorites.
Games are often two bouts in a row so you can spend a good afternoon and evening watching these girls move around the rink. Usually before and after attendees hang out to party, relax, grab some autographs or chat with other fans. Everyone has a good time and everything is so well organized. I’m sad the season is ending after the game this weekend but I’ll be ready to watch a whole season next year.

It doesn’t get any more fun than this. BDD is a blast — cheap booze, lots of action, and enthusiastic crowd. Truly a gem of an event to go to, especially with friends.
The only thing about it I don’t like is that I can’t play — it looks like so much fun!

First in the interest of full disclosure I’m byass as I’m the SO of a dame, but BDM is the most fun one can have on a Saturday night. Derby rocks! BDM events are great fun.
A few tips — early in the season they will sell out, so buy tickets online. During the summer you can get them at the door.
Events are kid friendly — early starts are great and the dames always love signing autographs and encouraging kids in sports.
Anyone can tailgate before the event. After the event there is a party on site open to all who love derby.
Its not as violent as people expect. However, it is fast pass with contact, which leads to falls. But there is no outright violence or people trying to hurt each other.
In general I think fans enjoy the second bout they watch the most, as they now understand the basic rules and can get into the speed of the game. After that, around the 10^th bout you start to understand the subtleties of the game.
At the beginning of the first bout they cover the rules in a little demonstration, which is good for first timers.
BDD is an amazing event and will appeal to a broad audience. Come see for your self.

The first time I went it was a lot of fun. The food is cheap, the tickets aren’t too expensive and it was exciting. It helped that Boston won big.
The second time I went I realized the problem with a lot of roller derby matches: they’re blowouts. The first time was okay but the next match was pretty horrendous as Boston got skunked. I know it’s not the teams’ faults they get blown out — sometimes that’s just the way things go. But it doesn’t make for very entertaining skating. Within the first ten minutes of the matches I watched it was obvious who was going to win.
My other complaint is that it’s so far out of Boston. I’m sure it’s not easy to find a place, but it would rule if this was actually in the city.
It is fun to see girls beat the crap out of each other now and then and it’s pretty exciting to experience at least once but I can’t say I’d ever go back to see another match.

I went to my first bout back in February 10′ & haven’t missed one since. It’s a fun & cheap night out with a great atmosphere. It’s easy to tell that the girls go out there giving it their all & they have a great time doing it. Each month, I see both kids & adults of all ages get together to enjoy the night. At the beginning of each bout the rules of the derby are explained, so you feel very welcomed whether you’re a new comer to the sport or you’re a regular.
With teams like the Cosmonaughties, Wicked Pissahs, Nutcrackers, & the Boston Massacre, it’s easy to become a fan. And at $ 15 why not give it a try?

Super fun!
Cheap beer. Fried food. Cupcakes. Hot chicks in short skirts playing dirty.
Doesn’t get much better than this.

It took me three years, but I finally went to see the Boston Derby Dames. And I’ll be going back.
The vibe is a perfect mix of efficiently organized local sports and magnificently towny bravado. The crowd loves their roller derby, the Dames love their derby, and even the Shriners love their derby.
Be prepared to park and walk, and be prepared to have a blast when you get inside.

I don’t know why I resisted for so long but thank god I finally went, I love me some Derby Dames!
Completely fun, great people, kickass dames, cool atmosphere, no pretension, exciting at every turn, definitely thrilling. You must go.
One tip: Read the rules of derby on the web before you go. The PA system sucks and I could not understand one word and was clueless for the whole thing.

I went to my first derby bout in Feb 09 and within the first five minutes said, «Where has this been all my life???» I love everything about this sport — the diverse (and huge!) fan base, the cheesy venue, the crazy positive vibe bursting out of everyone in the building, the clever skater names, the tough and beautiful dames of all shapes & sizes… I could go on and on!
I tried out for the league this fall and decided to drop out before final cuts because it was TOO DAMNED HARD! I pulled muscles I didn’t even know I had and cried from the stress after most practices. It gave me a whole new appreciation for the girls who commit to this sport. Not only are they physically tough, and athletically talented, they devote a huge amount of time and energy — as much if not more than they devote to their careers — to running the business that is BDD.
And they are NICE!!! Really the most fun, passionate, and supportive group of women I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. I can’t wait to see the vets and all my fellow freshmeat skate their hearts out this season!
Got the winter blahs? Get a ticket to the first bout on ²⁄₂₇ and I guarantee derby will rip your blahs to shreds!

This is definitely an experience. The sport itself is pretty fun and amusing. I had never been to a real derby until early 2009. I went to check it out since I had memories of watching it on TV as a young child. I also went because my mother-​in-​law (yes she is that awesome) broke her wrist in tryouts for the 2009 season and we wanted to return to the scene of the crime.
The beer is cheap (for a sporting event), the cheap carni-​food is awesome, there are bands at halftime, and the crowd watching is unparalleled!
Besides, all of that the Dames had my whole family cheering them on in an honest and vested celebration as they kicked some serious roller-​ass.
Yeah it is a bit of a drive, but damn is it worth it. There is no reason not to go. Break out of the winter doll drums and get the hell to the derby to break up the monotony of being indoors at the same places!