Ugh. The Bay Area Derby Girls were recently robbed at gunpoint while some league members were carrying funds raised from a bout. The incident occurred in the Mission district outside after a game at the Craneway Pavilion on the Richmond Harbor. While no teammate was physically injured during the mugging, the 501(c)(3) and has volunteer-run roller derby group was hit hard financially. And, of course, emotionally.

In letter to the community, B.A.D Girls write:

While the SFPD works on the investigation, the B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls are in dire need of fundraising. We have always depended on the kindness of our fans and our community. In this time of need, we are reaching out for your generosity once again. Like the strongest jammers, we do not fall after one hit, and we have no intention of allowing thieves who would steal from a non-profit organization to stop us from rolling. If you can please donate to the B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls to recoup some of these financial losses, we would greatly appreciate any amount. Your donation will be fully tax-deductible. In addition, if you can donate items for us to raffle or venue space for us to hold a fundraiser, we promise to make it worth your while and continue to bring you the best roller derby in the Bay Area.

Like the community that we all practice and play in, we are strong. We have always been a league of extraordinary women who are undaunted by obstacles. Roller derby is a sport that embraces challenges, enables resiliency, and celebrates the spirit of the best in humanity. We intend in honoring that spirit and moving forward from this crime toward a much brighter future with all of you. Thank you again for your support. It means more to us now than it ever has before.

And before you chime in with a careless comment, let me just say: Come on, these ladies seriously do give it their fucking all. And then some. And then some more. Your SFist editor had the privilege and honor to check out the opening of the derby season with Beth Spotswood earlier this year. Spotswood wrote all about our bitchin' experience at SFGate, which we implore you to read. After then reading that? We also beg you to donate to the B.A.D. Girls. Because If you've ever seen them in action, you know the astounding and relentless entertainment they put forth. Hardworking and friends-to-the-death camaraderie doesn't begin to describe them. Also, they sell Fruity and Cocoa Pebbles marshmallow crispy treats during tournaments. An act of God like that is worth, say, at least $100 donation in and of itself. Really.

Please donate via PayPal on by clicking the "Donate" button on our home page at www.bayareaderbygirls.com. Your donation is tax deductible. You can also support then by attending the upcoming Golden Bowl Tournament from Aug. 12-14 at the Oakland Convention Center.

Founded in 2004, the Bay Area Derby Girls are a "full contact, women's flat track roller derby league" featuring five teams: The San Francisco ShEvil Dead, The Oakland Outlaws, The Richmond Wrecking Belles, The Berkeley Resistance, and a traveling all-star team, the nationally-ranked Golden Girls.