Roller derby isn't what it used to be,which is a good thing for those who prefer their sports minus fakery.
Rochester's MedCity Mafia , who open their season Saturday, is part of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association, the national governing and rules-making body for the sport.
The intent of the WFTDA is to make the game fast, competitive and fair. The antics, staged fights and fixed matches of the televised version of roller derby in the 1960s and 1970s are not part of today's sport. For instance, today's players are not allowed to use their elbows, hands, feet or head to hit their opponents.
Each match consists of two periods of 30 minutes each. Five players from each team are on the track for a two-minute jam, in which a designated player from each team tries to race past the other team's skaters. Each skater passed equals a point. Foul play results in a player being sent to a penalty box for 30 seconds, leaving her team at a disadvantage on the track.
Colorful and flamboyant nicknamesare part of the culture of women's roller derby. Members of Rochester's MedCity Mafia goes by monikers that include "Rude Jessture," "Nurse RachHit," "Green Eggs and Slam," "Sturdy Gertie"and "T-Wrecks."
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After Saturday's home opener, the MedCity Mafia has matches scheduled Feb. 14 and March 14 at Mayo Civic Center, and April 4 and May 2 at Graham Arena.
