Being Introduced Via Television

 

Kezar Pavillion, Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.

 

The first time this blogger watched Roller Derby was during Easter Vacation in 1963.  The International Roller Derby League had started their fifth league season on the West Coast.  The San Francisco Bay Bombers, the designated home skating team,  were a three time champion after losing the title in their first year, 1959.

 

In 1963, it would be a challenge.  Several of my neighborhood friends mentioned to me about this sport and on Sunday, April 7, 1963, I was able to watch it for the first time. 

 

It was a Sunday night around 9pm.  Following the Sunday night movie, KTVU Channel 2 went on live from Kezar Pavilion (pictured above).  Walt Harris, the legendary track telecaster, called the action.  I was able to stay up and watch despite the fact of being 11 years old.  Back then 10pm was our household's bed time.  This particular Sunday was the beginning of Easter Vacation.

 

It was great learning about the game and the two teams that were in action that night.  Right away, I enjoyed the teamwork of Annis “Big Red” Jensen, the living legend Hall Of Famer of the Bombers.  She was the women’s captain at the time.  The coach of the team, Charlie O’Connell was impressive to this rookie fan.

 

The Bombers defeated the Mexico City Cardenales that night, 35-31.  The Cardenales’ men were led by Hall Of Famer, Ken Monte with Joe Chaump and Leroy "Bad Boy" Gonzalez.  They had a great all time jammer by the name of Tony Roman.  He was not only a speedster, but is one of the most agile skaters I’ve ever seen!  The women’s team had the fiery, Ann Calvello.  Calvello had Gerri Abbatello and Harlene Khien for support.  

 

Calvello was colorful and was quite a skater too.  Her battles with Jensen were legendary in the years watching the sport.

 

What was interesting that night was the refereeing.  The head official, Gene “Mug” Moyer was having a problem with another official.  This official was favoring the Cardenales with bad calls throughout the second half.  This official, we find out, is “Wild” Bill Reynolds.  He happened to be the coach for a team known as the Honolulu Hawaiians.

 

In the eighth and final period of play, Moyer overruled Reynolds on a call involving O’Connell.  Reynolds got into an argument with Moyer.  What ended up happening was Reynolds was ruled off the track by Moyer who called the remainder of the game by himself.  Back in 1963, games were handled by two officials.  Eventually a couple of years later, they added another official to the crew.

 

Reynolds ended up coaching in the next series with the Hawaiians against the Bombers!