Interview with Ri-Ette and one-time Baby Doll Brawler P.I.T.A- Tix on sale now for Ri-Ettes vs. Team Legit March 27th, and Baby Doll Brawl March 28th!

Photo by Charlie ShutterThug Chu

Today, Ri-Ette and Sirens’ Co-Captain P.I.T.A is unstoppable on the track, but she hasn’t always been a rolling force of nature.  We talked to P.I.T.A. about her humble derby origins, from what made her strap on skates to her first Baby Doll Brawl, and about why you should check out L.A. Derby Dolls’ newest Fresh Meat this Sunday. 

You can see P.I.T.A. and the Ri-Ettes take on Team Legit on March 27th- tickets are on sale NOW here.  And then on March 28th, come back with the whole family to watch the all-ages Baby Doll Brawl.  Get your tickets now- we WILL sell out.

Q:  When and why did you join the Derby Dolls? 

P.I.T.A:  TXRD had a show on A&E called “Rollergirls.”  After seeing it, my husband suggested that I try derby to get some aggression out.  I thought he was nuts because I couldn't skate worth a damn.  By the end of the series, I was hooked!!  I took skating lessons at a local rink on Saturday mornings for about two months, and joined a brand new derby league in Orange County.  

When Todd and I went to our first banked track game (LADD's Sirens vs. Trust Fund Terrors at Crazy Gideon's, July 2006), the skaters’ blocks were so forceful they broke the rail right by where we were standing.  I still have that piece of wood on my mantle.  It was sooo exciting, and quite a rush to see!  Todd looked at me and said "you need to make the drive to LA to do this." and that was it.  August 1, 2006 was my first day as LADD Fresh Meat!!   

Q:  When was your Baby Doll Brawl?  How did it go?

 P.I.T.A:  My first game was the very first Baby Doll Brawl, on December 2, 2006:  The Juggernauts vs. The Glam Reapers.

It was crazy raw because we only had a month to prepare.  We were all so new that we didn't really know how to play... we just knocked each other down a lot!  I was a blocker on the Juggernauts- Cannon Doll X was our captain.  Diva Jammers Gori Spelling and Laguna Beyatch made their jam debuts.  Titty Titty Bang Bang, Aggro Vader, and Minnie Jugs were all Juggernaut blockers.  Janis Choplin was the Reapers' Captain, and they had the super fast jammers of Mila Minute and Kung POW Tina (now San Diego Derby Dolls).  They also had the blocking force of Trixie Biscuit, Razorslut, and former skater Hannah Grenade (now a WFTDA ref).  They also had Bloody Holly, who after all these years got just the derby bug again, and is back as LADD Fresh Meat.   

It was a brutal game; I almost sent Leia Mout over the rail!  Reapers won... I don't remember the score, I just remember how fun it was!

Q:   What impact did that Baby Doll Brawl have on the rest of your derby career? 

P.I.T.A:  What I found to be the coolest part of the whole experience was that we were all Fresh Meat, and we all created this unique bond with each other.  We were these tough women who liked giving and taking beatings.  At game time, we knocked the crap outta each other.  Then after the game, win or lose, we were still friends.  

I ended up hyper extending my left knee and pulling my PCL, so I had to sit out for two months after the Brawl.  That game fired me up to do my physical therapy and get strong so I could do it again!  Just being near those women made me feel like I had found my niche in life!  Like I knew exactly what my cankles were built for!  The whole experience made me want more, and still motivates me to work hard so I can remain a part of roller derby!

Q:  How privileged was the audience to get their first-ever glimpse of future Sirens Co-Captain/All Star LA Ri-Ette P.I.T.A?

P.I.T.A:  HA! Privileged, I dunno... but there is this really great picture of me nailing the opposing jammer and in the back ground Iron Maiven's mouth is wide open in shock that a freshie just did that.  Busta Armov made a video of that hit and sent it to TXRD to show them what LA was teaching their new girls to do- that was an honor. I'd say the crowd was certainly privileged to see all of us from that BDB that are now Ri-Ettes- me, Gori, Laguna, Titty, and our Manager Razorslut.  We're some pretty bad-ass skaters now!!

Q:  Did you do your trademark shimmy in a moment of triumph, or was that developed later?

P.I.T.A:  The boobie jiggle came way later!  I was always the biggest girl on the track (dare I say fattest?).  At 5'6", weighing in at 215 pounds for my first 3 years of derby, I liked to show the fans that this big girl can rock it and I'm proud of it!  It's more of a "I am phat woman... hear me roar" kinda reaction to something I feel I've done well!  I only do it once a game... so watch for it!  P.S. I've lost 30 pounds this year- makes the jamming a little easier with a few less pounds to push around the track!  LOL!

Q:  How long did it take from your first Fresh Meat practice until you got on a team?

P.I.T.A:  I started in August of 2006; I made the Sirens in late February of 2007.  I spent six months as Fresh Meat. 

Q:  What did you learn from the Baby Doll Brawl that you still use today as the Co-Captain of the Sirens?

P.I.T.A:  I learned in the first BDB that we're all here for our own reasons. Each one of us has our own derby dream, and we need to find ways to make that dream come true.  I try to remember that all my skaters are different, and that each one of their derby dreams is just as important as mine.  So hopefully I can make the experience good for them... and hopefully Killo Kitty and I can motivate them to achieve their dreams!  If we can live this dream together as a team, then no matter what the score board says... we're winners!  It's all about fun!

Q:  What can the audience expect from the upcoming Baby Doll Brawl?

P.I.T.A:  RAW ROLLER DERBY!  Massive hits!  Pile ups!  A ton of energy, and some really great smiles!  These are the future skaters of LADD, and you don't want to miss the chance to see these up and coming All-Stars at the beginning of their derby career!  This will be one of the best Baby Doll Brawls yet!