UPDATE: Some of the members are forming a new team called No Town Roller Derby. Here is the MySpace.

12/5/08: I was saddened by what I read on the Smog City Roller Grrls' MySpace page today. In a public blog entry addressed to "loyal friends and fans" posted at 2:54 a.m., the team announced its retirement:

"Three years ago Jenn Balint had a dream to bring something unique and special to Fresno. Armed with her passion and resiliancy she set out to enlist the toughest, most intelligent and determined women she could find in Fresno. ...

"The mission of our league was to always represent Fresno with respect and pride, focusing on areas of Fresno who like SCRG were often overlooked. We found our fan base in the Tower District and Downtown. Our motive was to bring focus to an alternative women's sport and attention to downtown Fresno. We made a conscience decision to hold all of our events downtown in hopes that people from all over Fresno would recognize and appreciate the validity of this beautiful and important part of Fresno. We as a league felt connected in some way to Downtown Fresno; we also struggled to gain recognition and put in alot of hard work to break the stereotypes of who we were and what we did.

"In the past year we as a family have dealt with some very serious issues; Some happy and some sad. We lost many of our veteran skaters. Some due to injuries related to the sport. We lost women due to pregnancy and the resulting parenthood and we lost one woman to a seemingly terminal illness she fought and won. Through these challenges a shift began to take place among our league and things werent as it was initially envisioned. We couldnt give Fresno less than our best." (Read the full press release)

I hope there are more developments to come from this. Of the handful of bouts I covered/attended, there are few entertainment options I've experienced in the past five years that compare with the excitement and sense of community I got from the roller derby events. Fresno could use more of the spirit exhibited by this unique group of strong women.

Previously on The Beehive:

• Nothing to do in Fresno? I dunno ...
• Roller Derby: Fresno Grrls slam the door on Prison City
• Meet the Smog City Roller Grrls: Betty Rocker
• Meet the Smog City Roller Grrls: Lola La Chola
• Meet the Smog City Roller Grrls: McRed
• Meet the Smog City Roller Grrls: Hari Kari
• Meet the Smog City Roller Grrls, Part I: Toni 2 Tone
• Harmonies, skates, mustaches and bruises ...

Video from April 2008 bout:

Video from March 2007 bout:

Per MsJoey's request, here is the full statement:

To our loyal friends and fans,

It is with careful consideration that the Smog City Roller Grrls have decided to retire.

Three years ago Jenn Balint had a dream to bring something unique and special to Fresno. Armed with her passion and resiliancy she set out to enlist the toughest, most intelligent and determined women she could find in Fresno. From that desire and willingness to grow, Smog City Roller Grrls was formed.

The mission of our league was to always represent Fresno with respect and pride, focusing on areas of Fresno who like SCRG were often overlooked. We found our fan base in the Tower District and Downtown. Our motive was to bring focus to an alternative women's sport and attention to downtown Fresno. We made a conscience decision to hold all of our events downtown in hopes that people from all over Fresno would recognize and appreciate the validity of this beautiful and important part of Fresno. We as a league felt connected in some way to Downtown Fresno; we also struggled to gain recognition and put in alot of hard work to break the stereotypes of who we were and what we did.

In the past year we as a family have dealt with some very serious issues; Some happy and some sad. We lost many of our veteran skaters. Some due to injuries related to the sport. We lost women due to pregnancy and the resulting parenthood and we lost one woman to a seemingly terminal illness she fought and won. Through these challenges a shift began to take place among our league and things werent as it was initially envisioned. We couldnt give Fresno less than our best.

Because key members were no longer able to maintain their place, SCRG took a back burner to other important factors in our lives. It was a painstaking decision to make. But in the end it was decided that if full attention could not be given to the league, we owed it to ourselves but mostly to our fans and friends to walk away with our heads held high.

We will always be SCRG. We will always be Fresno's first roller derby league. We hope that others take this cue and keep the spirit of roller derby alive. We hope that Fresno would be receptive to any who come after us. This was a long and arduous road for us but one that brings us great pride and satisfaction.

This was the most difficult decision to make. We understand the value Fresno has placed on us. We appreciate your support more than we can say. Hearing you chant our names over and over again brought us so much pride. Thank you for embracing us and standing behind us. We apologize if we have let you down but we pray that you understand that all good things must come to an end.

Again, we are so grateful to you, Fresno. We are proud members of this community and knowing that for a short time we were able to represent you in the most fantastic way is a pride we will carry forever.

To the local media for finding the validity in the Smog City Roller Grrls, we are forever grateful.

As we close this chapter in our lives we walk away with a simple phrase in our heads:

A princess always knows when to leave the party.

With love, respect and much appreciation,

SMOG CITY ROLLER GRRLS!