Rogue Pirates Don Skates at Ag Center

A crowd of almost 400 Saturday night witnessed 10 men and women, dressed scantily in pirate attire, roller skating around a track, trying to score points and knocking each other down in the process.  The Chesapeake Roller Derby season has started and the fans loved every minute of it.

In its second year, the pirate-themed Chesapeake Roller Derby has three teams: Land Hos, Rolling Plunder and Vampirates. Four events are scheduled at the Ag Center this season, with the next dual set for April 23. 

Wondering how a team wins a Roller Derby competition? Here's the quick and dirty. There are two teams on the track. Each team has five people-one pivot, one jammer (the scorer, wears a star helmet) and three defenders. The jammer is the only player that can score points for the team. 

Both jammers start at the back of the pack. They must fight (or finesse) their way through the pack (trying to get through or by the defenders), and then race around the track to catch up with the pack again (which is why the pack seems to go so slow), and score a point for every opponent they pass when they catch up to the pack.

The jammer is the only player with the ability to call off or end a jam and she does this by placing her hands on her hips. Each "jam" lasts no longer than 90 seconds. 

In addition to the entertainment on the track, fans enjoyed face painting, fortune telling, a kids area with toys and coloring materials, and food for sale. 

For more information, visit www.chesapeakerollerderby.com.