What's a sports fan to do?
Well, why not try something new ... like Roller Derby.
The Brewcity Bruisers, Milwaukee's Roller Derby entity, takes center stage Saturday night at the U.S. Cellular Arena. The sport has a long history at the Arena, which played host to a number of banked-track events during the 1950s and '60s.
Unlike the more scripted, wrestling-style matches of the 1970s, the current inception of Roller Derby is completely genuine competition.
"It's fast-paced, high-energy and full-contact," says Bruiser Servin' Justice - a member of the Crazy 8's team.
The Bruisers are actually a league consisting of four teams - Crazy 8's, Maiden Milwaukee, Rushin' Rollettes and the Shevil Knevils - which play a series of bouts throughout the year.. The league is skater-owned and operated, though an accountant and lawyer are retained for various purposes.
A bout consists two, 30-minute periods consisting of several jams which range from 20-30 seconds to two minutes each. During each jam, a team's jammer must fight it's way through the opponents' blockers in order to score points.
After selling out four regular season matches at the Milwaukee County Sports Complex, the Bruisers decided to stage the championship at the Arena, in the hopes of shattering the modern record for roller derby attendance of 5,703, set earlier this year by the Rat City Rollergirls in Seattle.
"We love Franklin and the Sports Complex," Servin' Justice says. "But it's hard to turn away people who have been waiting in line for an hour or more. This just makes sense."
In Saturday night's title bout, the defending champion Rushin' Rollettes will face the Shevil Knevils. Prior to that, the Crazy 8's will face off against Maiden Milwaukee. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the first bout beginning at 7 p.m.
The names and costumes may seem a little suggestive on first glance, but the events are completely family-friendly. Many of the Rollergirls have children and families of their own, and are sensitive to parents' concerns.
"It's really a good time for the whole family," Servin' Justice says. "Most of the kids aren't able to hear the names or don't know what they mean, anyway."
Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. Children ages 10 and younger are just $9.
Crush the Rush: The Milwaukee Iron hosts Midwest Division rival Chicago Friday night at the Bradley Center. The Iron is 3-1 after suffering a 75-67 loss last week at Alabama and could pull back into a tie for first place by beating Chicago.
Quarterback Chris Greisen leads the league with a 136.5 passer rating and 32 touchdowns. Greisen is second in the league with 1,339 passing yards, has completed 72 percent of his passes and has yet to throw an interception.
Tickets for the Iron begin at just $10 and Friday, all women over the age of 18 get in for free.
The road to Milwaukee: Those looking to get their fix of the National Pastime without wanting to stay up until Midnight need only to head out to Miller Park for a glimpse of the Brewers of tomorrow.
The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, the Brewers' Class A affiliate, play host to the Cedar Rapids Kernels at 7 p.m. The Kernels are the Class A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. Right-hander Damon Krestalude gets the start tonight for Wisconsin, which is 9-18 this season in the Midwest League.
The Timber Rattlers are in their second year as a Brewers affiliate and have a prospect-laden roster, especially on the pitching staff. Last year's first-round pick, Eric Arnett, along with Kyle Heckathorn, Jake Odorizzi, Del Howell and Nick Bucci are among the hurlers developing in Appleton this season.
In addition, infielder Cutter Dykstra and catcher Cameron Garfield are on the Rattlers roster.
All tickets to tonight's game are just $10.
