Roller Derby Pt 3 CANADIAN BRAVES VS BOMBERS

[@TheVerbalVolley]

This showed exactly why the Derby died, circa 1974. Theatrics were put above skating ability, as per Roller Games ridiculousness. If they had gone the other way, and skated by Derby rules they would have had a longer shelf life. Can you imagine Joanie and Calvello on the same team? They were arch-rivals and people looked forward to see them skate against each other, rather than skate on the same team.. Annie was always a red shirt, while Joanie was always a white shirt. They were blurring the lines between good and bad, and that is a recipe for disaster. Games treated the Derby skaters so badly when they merged.

[@davidrofulowitz7538]

I found an article recently whereby Judi McGuire said that she and Mike Gammon left Roller Games because they had too much BS in Games to deal with, and that they thought it would hurt their professional skating careers. Pretty sure I also found another online article where supposedly the Games skaters didn't want to skate against the Derby skaters (while Roller Derby was still in business) because the Derby skaters hit too hard. And that Derby skaters didn't want to be involved in any theatrics that Roller Games was known for at the time.

[@donniehagy5125]

When Joanie captained the Pioneer women's team, in away games she was ALWAYS red!

[@donniehagy5125]

@@davidrofulowitz7538 I agree with Verbal Volley. That was the biggest reason I despised "Games." They ALWAYS had to have "drama" involved. People getting clobbered with briefcases, constant interference, penalties that were NEVER called--you name it, it was in there. I hate to tell those involved but Games had enough great skaters they didn't need that crap to sell their game.

[@TheVerbalVolley]

@@donniehagy5125 And that is what killed the Derby. Joanie was the perennial favorite when they did not have "cities" to represent. Once they did, a player had to play red one night and white on another, which was totally bogus. Fans began to see Derby as a spectacle rather than a sport. Joanie was actually cheered when she skated, even as a red shirt, which created anymosity from other players. They created an icon, and couldn't erase that fact.

[@donniehagy5125]

@@TheVerbalVolley This is just my opinion (and we all know the saying about opinions!), but I think what really hurt the Derby was when television tried to censor the "violence". I remember watching it for years (beginning around 1967) and the fights were what people really enjoyed. The start of one season, I turned it on and they NEVER showed any fights, just the "aftermath" so to speak. Many people, myself included, found it too mainstream after that.

[@Eddie-ym1vq]

Great time in my life ad a kid in the 60's and 70's. Watching roller derby and pro wrestling with friends after Saturday morning cartoons. Then went outside the rest of day trying to imitate it. No helmets no pads. A few skinned knees and elbows though.

[@caseyconroy52]

Joanie Weston and Anne Calvello on the same team? Never seen that before.

[@EdKoch-b6h]

Who is the skater on the Bombers weariing # 40 ?

[@TheVerbalVolley]

What a class act Joanie was. She let Annis have the #38....

[@ericakane7995]

That was a beautiful time in my life as I seeped through my growing pains and took a gasping second wind and some healing. Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, and Chevrolet.

[@FranFJB]

What is this Canadian Braves BS?? They were the CANADIAN ALLSTARS!!

[@jaymeyer6185]

So much better then than now. Roller derby doesnt even film well pn a flat track.

[@spectrumlocalb191]

YOU CAN HEAR PUBLIC ADDRESS ANNOUNCER ED DARIAN ANNOUNCING IN THE BACK.

[@georgegong6813]

Again it's NOT Ed Darian. Ken Kunzelman was the PA

[@jenniferjuniper97]

What year was this game recorded?

[@NYRNGR1]

1974

[@spectrumlocalb191]

Is that Ed Darian calling the PA action.

[@darrinbaker00]

spectrumlocalb191 No, that was Ken Kunzelman.

[@amtrakatsfnyc]

It is Elmer Anderson that is calling the action. Previously he announced for the Philadelphia Warriors and after his time with the SF Bombers, he announced for the LA Thunderbirds. Some of these games are on KZbin as well as some games with Ed Derian announcing for the Warriors.

[@georgegong6813]

I believe they are referring not to the television announcer but the Public Address Announcer which was in fact Ken Kunzelman. Ken & Ed Darian did sounded the same. Though in terms of knowledge of the game & not repeating himself, Ken Kunzelman by far the better banked track skating announcer.

[@loudenkliehr3633]

"Joan on the big long slippery track" Elmer? Uhhhhh...

[@georgegong6813]

I know Elmer Anderson made a much better color commentator alongside Walt Harris or more mainstream Announcer perhaps. After all too he added insight as a former Skater himself.

[@davidsnowden2160]

Ha ha ha..Did he call my man a little chili pepper?

[@georgegong6813]

Sadly yes!