Why we really need to start a "junior derby league."

I took the Hel-Kat to derby practice with me tonight. It was rather slow, so she got to practice with the girls more than usual. She did so well! She stretched with the girls, skated and did tricks with Sid Stitches, practiced falling and got to talk to her favorite derby girl, Ms. Lippy. Hel-Kat sings songs about her favorite derby girls. She has three derby girl songs now, one about me (!), one for Kix and a new one about Ms. Lippy that she made up in the car on the way home. Here she is, on the right, gearing up.
She also raced with Killer Tomato and told Teasel VonTramp all about her falling technique. I am very proud of Hel-Kat. She has been working hard and practicing skating all the time. We talked about the "jeerleading" squad that Kate Crime is organizing, and Hel-Kat expressed an interest in joining up. I'm glad she likes rollerderby as much as I do. Look at those stretches! On the lower right, she's doing arm exorcises. The girls who don't have weights use their skates instead, so Hel-Kat did the same. She even managed to hold one stretch longer than any of the girls, she was so proud.
I never got into sports as a kid. I played a little softball and a little soccer here and there, but Annie and Julie were the athletes in the family. I know I came to it later in life, but I am glad that I found rollerderby. It really is the perfect sport for me. I've been out of commission for the past few months, and that is really difficult, because for the first time in ages, this is a sport that I really want to participate in. I really want to get out there and skate, to knock into people, to practice knee slides and hip checks. I am very comfortable with my position as announcer. I think Brian and I do a good job with the back and forth banter, and we are going to get even better. I didn't have this in mind when we started the league, but I am happy with the way it has turned out. I'll just plan on training for next season.
I know I talk about derby, complain about derby, dream about derby, blog about derby constantly, so I hope you get the idea. I am truly passionate about this sport and totally committed to the women I play with and to this league.
Gosh, that turned into quite the little rant. Sorry about that, all you knitters. New socks and other projects tomorrow. Promise.