Yin Joins The Detroit Pistoffs Dynasty

Posted on December 12, 2009

By Holly Hitsville

Rolling onto the track in front of a sold-out crowd for the first time can be daunting as a rollercoaster of emotion battles against all the training that has lead up to this one moment.  Tonight, Yin will experience this firsthand.  I caught up with one of our newly minted Detroit Pistoff to talk about being a derby girl, the Fresh Meat experience, and why hairdressers always seem to be up to date on the coolest things.

Why did you want to become a Detroit Derby Girl?

In early 2005, I met a girl through Myspace, who is in the Kentucky Roller Derby. I was unaware that the sport even existed and became fascinated with it. I searched the internet trying to discover if Detroit had a league but never found a website. Then in late 2008 my hairdresser brought up the Detroit Derby Girls. To my amazement, I rushed home, went online, found the website and started attending the bouts. I fell in love instantly and just had to sign up for it. So I did and now here I am.

What’s it like being part of the Detroit Pistoffs?

I love being a Pistoff! I really can’t imagine any other team being able to handle my personality. Also, they have had incredible patience with teaching me how to be a better player and skater because I am such an amateur. Being a Pistoff I feel completely at home! I’m accepted, loved, and allowed to be myself, which means being outrageously loud and a cuckoo.

When skaters try out they go through Boot Camp with other skaters that we call Fresh Meat. This group tends to bond but then gets broken up when the Fresh Meat become Rookies and get drafted to one of the four home teams.

How has your experience as a member of an actual team differed from being a part of Fresh Meat?

I would describe it as being a child and then finally entering into adulthood. Each Fresh Meat skater was assigned a Derby Den Mother who supported and assisted us in our training. Getting drafted was our way of maturing and finally being able to call ourselves real derby girls…not just saying we were one in our hearts.

How are you feeling headed into your very first bout? Nervous? Prepared?

I am nervous only because I do not want to make any crucial errors and disappoint my team. Regardless, I know that I will enjoy myself and give it my all.

Any particular Devil’s Night Dames you’re going to keep an eye on while out on the track?

Hah yes! I told YoYo that I am going to pay her back for bruising up my left bum pretty bad. However, I think Whiskey is going to be after me because I don’t think she likes me constantly slapping her butt during league practices.

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