Steel City Sports
(Men Need Not Apply)
by Jodi Temyer, Nickol Mora, and Bethany Davis
This month, Pittsburgh Passion, our local women's football league, takes on a new season of brutal tackles and picture-perfect plays. Last year, they emerged victorious from the Super Bowl of women's football, the National Women's Football Association championship, and this year, they're looking to take it all again. Here's a sampling of other women's sports teams that call Pittsburgh home:
Pittsburgh Force: While Troy Polamalu may have arguably the best hair in Pittsburgh football, he might have some competition in the near future. The National Women's Football Association has just announced the Pittsburgh Force as an expansion team for 2009. The team owners, Kathy Ferrari and Felicia Mycyk, are former players themselves and are already looking forward to a long career in Pittsburgh. Stay tuned for more information on tryouts, game-day location, and ticket prices. (Info: 412/583-5774, womensfootballcentral.com)
Pittsburgh Amateur Softball League for Women: For 20 years, the PASL has been providing Pittsburgh women with an opportunity to play softball. Last year two teams won national titles, and one of those teams won a world title. While occasionally the players travel as far as Florida and North Dakota for games, plenty of action can be found all over the Pittsburgh area from May through August. The games are free, but in the past, teams have taken donations to raise money for local charities. (Info: 412/771-6473, eteamz.active.com/pasl)
Central Pittsburgh Women's Ice Hockey: These women know what it takes to win a championship, considering they were the Pennsylvania-Ohio Women's League champions for the past two years. From October through April you can catch one of their games at either the Airport Ice Arena in Moon Township or Bethel Blade Runners in Bethel Park (and did I mention this hockey action is free?). When they're not competing, the Central Pittsburgh players can be found teaching the sport to anyone who is interested in the Learn to Play Hockey program at Robert Morris University's Island Sports Center. (Info: cphockey.com)
Pittsburgh Banshees: This ladies-only team brings a new, Irish spin to the game of football. The Gaelic football team incorporates a mixture of soccer and American football that combines complicated hand and foot work. The Banshees' sixth season kicks off in June and runs through Labor Day weekend. Home games are played at Founders Field in Indianola, Pa. (Info: pittsburghbanshees.com)
Steel City Derby Demons: If everything "old" is new again, then roller derby fans rejoice. Pittsburgh's all-female roller derby league is bringing back a sport that got its start more than 70 years ago. The league boasts four teams, which play each other in a March-September season, as well as a traveling team that takes on leagues from other cities. Matches are held at BladeRunners in Harmarville. General admission: $10. (Info: steelcityderbydemons.com)