ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses what perhaps surprised the author most from the interviews: many reasons that might prevent a woman from playing roller derby. It examines three main obstacles to playing: the expensive nature of sport, the rigorous time commitments, and the very common, often very serious injuries players suffer. To outsiders, derby being a "hobby" that is akin to a part-time job, that one have to pay significant expenses in order to participate in, all while under the constant threat of incurring a serious injury, might seem like three reasonable reasons for avoiding or quitting roller derby. However, for the participants, the hurdles do not prevent them from playing. Not only does roller derby not pay the bills, and women have to pay for everything, they are also required to devote a tremendous amount of time each week to their league. In a country that is overworked and underpaid, the time commitment alone would be enough to scare many away.
