Orange County Barnett Park – Analog Artist Digital World

Since I was sketching a double header, I decided to do a second sketch during the roller derby. Game 2 at Orange County Barnett Park (4801 W Colonial Dr, Orlando, Florida 32808) was between the Orlando Sun Blockers and Rockin City. In the second match the Orlando Sun Blockers lost with a score of 87 to Rockin City from Texas’s 175.

Besides the action on the truck I was also fascinated by the half time action which consisted of kids making paper airplanes. The plane that flew the furthest would win. It was a fun as a minor league baseball game mid inning stretch. Planes spiraled and did loop de loops. Over in front of the bleachers a woman dressed in a sun costume danced in front of the crowd.

The huddle in my sketch occurs often in a match as one team tries to roadblock the other team from lapping them. If there is no opening then the roller derby athlete wearing the star on her helmet would have to try and press her way through he crowd. Living in a big city like New York would be the best place to develop these tight squeeze tactics.

I went to Orange County Barnett Park (4801 W Colonial Dr, Orlando, Florida 32808) to sketch an amazing Double Header. Game 1 was between the Orlando Ozone Slayers and the Molly
Rogers Roller girls. Game 2 was between the Orlando Sun Blockers and Rockin City.

There was a 50/50 raffle, along with shirts, tanks and koozies at the merch table.

There was a pie eating contest followed by a paper airplane contest during halftime.There were bleachers for the crowd but I decided to sit with my back to the auditorium wall for a view down the length of the roller derby oval. The oval was put in place using white tape to outline the track. Volunteers had to periodically fix the tape with fresh tape since the athletes would often scuff and fall onto the lines.

Roller Derby is a fast paces exciting sport to watch. Points are gained then one woman with a star on her helmet manages to lap the bulk of the pack who jockey for position. The action would build to the final moments of each match. Derby athletes would knock each other over as they bumped an gyrated for position.

The Molly Rogers from Melbourne Florida won the first match 138 to the Orlando Ozone Slayers 135. It was a crazy exciting finish to the match. It was an exciting afternoon of sketching. I need to get to these matches more often.