Thank you so much for sharing this great piece of Roller Derby history! I love the huge track and infield. No wonder the jams were two minutes long! The skaters had to be in GREAT shape. Also, I never knew that Terri Lynch (who was on the L.A. T-Birds in the '60s) was skating at the beginning of the 1950s!
Even though I got used to the fights and brawls of the '60's Roller Derby, I do remembering getting excited and fascinated by these games of the late 50's. It was the decision to incorporate theatrics that ruined any chance of Roller Derby being taken seriously as a legitimate sport. (I admit to enjoying watching Ann Calvello getting "beat up", however, in later seasons).
Thank you so much for sharing this great piece of Roller Derby history! I love the huge track and infield. No wonder the jams were two minutes long! The skaters had to be in GREAT shape. Also, I never knew that Terri Lynch (who was on the L.A. T-Birds in the '60s) was skating at the beginning of the 1950s!
You are very welcome! I didn’t realize that either about Ms. Lynch.
Even though I got used to the fights and brawls of the '60's Roller Derby, I do remembering getting excited and fascinated by these games of the late 50's. It was the decision to incorporate theatrics that ruined any chance of Roller Derby being taken seriously as a legitimate sport. (I admit to enjoying watching Ann Calvello getting "beat up", however, in later seasons).
Hi Duane, I also think these 50s games are some of the best Roller Derby games.
I guess they figured that if theatrics worked for wrestling it was going to work for roller derby too. They were wrong.
@@TomChasuk I agree!