Crass is definitely the edgier part of the act, but they both said their goal is to make the experience enjoyable for all.

"We try to pump up the skaters and the crowd by being as positive as we can," said Garou.

Crass said people are surprised when he tells new acquaintances what he does in his spare time.

"They respond with, 'Wow, they still do that? That sounds like fun,"'he said. "Chicks getting violent — you don't have that in every sport."

Asked whether men come to the bouts because of the sexy attire or the athletic skill of the skaters, Crass quickly said it's a combination of the two.

"It doesn't hurt to have hot women in fishnet tights," he said. "Women are interested in it because it's women who own this sport."

Like many of the Derby Girls, Garou and Crass have never had much of an interest when it comes to mainstream sports. Although Crass said he pays a lot more attention to play calling and commentators when he watches sports nowadays.

Both are excited to see the growing interest in the Salt City Derby Girls.

"Last bout we had about 1,000 people there," she said. "I think audiences like that it's homegrown. It's a truly unusual sport. These are true athletes, but they're sexy. Its serious and very fun."

Each of the teams has a following, but the die-hard fans appreciate all of the players — regardless of squads. Maybe that's because, unlike other athletes, these women pay to play.

In addition to monthly dues, they buy hundreds of dollars in equipment and pay for their travel.

Although Bliss said one of the most endearing aspects of roller derby is that, because leagues in other states were created by women just like themselves, they can always rely on derby girls in other cities to help them out with a place to stay, a ride or a meal.

The team recently ponied up a little extra money to hire speedskating coach Eric Kraan to help them with technique and strategy.

"I did a clinic for them, and then in February of this year, they said, 'We're looking for a coach.' They give me a little money, and it is a lot of fun to do," said Kraan, who trains skaters for international competitions, including the Olympics.

"The skate is somewhat similar," he said. "But I put on skates with them one day and got a crash course in roller skating."

He said the small wheelbase of roller skates makes keeping your balance while others are pushing and shoving unbelievably hard to do.

"They are a great bunch of girls, and they work hard. They're not full-time athletes, but they do give it a lot of effort," he said.

He's also come to admire their entrepreneurial spirit.

"It was very eye opening," he said. "They do everything themselves — promotions, schedules, everything. It's amazing to see how hard they work so they can play and make this successful."

Bliss said her job on the board, as well as practicing as a skater, takes up 20 hours a week. But it is worth every minute, she said.

"It's changed my life," she said.

---

E-mail: adonaldson@desnews.com