The Captain’s Friday Night Pre-PATL Showdown: A Pinball Night to Remember

The Buzz Before the Storm

In the heart of Anaheim, California, 44 pinball enthusiasts gathered on a pleasantly cool evening with overcast skies, just a few degrees shy of 70°F. The reason? The Captain’s Friday Night Pre-PATL pinball tournament. Hosted at the Captain’s Arcade Showroom and organized by CC Castaneda, it was an evening designed for the swift, the skilled, and the pinball-savvy.

Venue Vibes

Captain’s Arcade Showroom was everything a pinballer could hope for. If you haven’t yet visited, check out their website and take my word for it: it’s a slice of arcade heaven. With well-maintained machines and a welcoming manager, it’s a local treasure where the love for pinball is palpable in the air.

Intricacies of the Game

Running for a little over four hours, the tournament was arranged into 5 challenging rounds. In each round, players grouped up to face off against each other across a grand total of 31 pinball machines, battling it out for the most points. In the end, points were tallied and the top players etched their names into the annals of Captain’s Arcade Showroom history.

Godzilla Steals the Show

Round 4 saw an intense game that had spectators and participants alike on the edge of their seats. The game of choice? Godzilla by Sega, released in 1998. Dennis Eichhorn emerged victorious, but not without formidable competition from Sean Irby, Hillary Jacobson, and Scott Macias. When two of the players rank in the top 100, you know you’re in for a masterclass in pinball strategy.

The Glorious Winners

  1. Sean Irby: Ranked 86th but played like he was in the top 10.
  2. Johnny Modica: With a whopping 431 total IFPA events, experience pays off.
  3. David Green CA: Consistency is key for this contender.
  4. Glenn Habas: A player to watch out for in future competitions.

Machine Highlights

The event showcased a variety of pinball machines, each bringing its unique flavor to the tournament. Among them:

  • Galaxy by Stern: A jump into cosmic wonders.
  • Future Spa by Bally: A journey into a futuristic realm.
  • Congo by Williams: Navigate through the jungle, avoiding perils.
  • The Bally Game Show: For those with a penchant for trivia and luck.
  • Godzilla by Sega: The crowd-pleaser, offering destructive fun.

Golden State’s Pinball Elite

The competitive spirit in California is strong, especially if we take a look at the IFPA’s top 10:

RankPlayer NameCityWppr Points
1Tim HansenSunnyvale538.95
2Raymond AshbyLos Angeles518.08
3Gabe Da SilveiraOakland462.95
4Scott MaciasGlendora456.81
5Nic SteinDavis418.12
6Andrei MassenkoffSan Francisco415.03
7Escher Lefkoff411.53
8Keith ElwinCarlsbad409.63
9Johnny ModicaHacienda Hts401.79
10Leslie Ruckman360.98

The Captain’s Friday Night Pre-PATL tournament was a high-stakes, adrenaline-pumping evening that both casual players and pinball pros will be talking about for a long time. If this event is any indication, the realm of pinball has a bright and competitive future ahead.

Stay tuned for more updates and keep those flippers ready!

An Evening of Flips and Triumphs at District 82’s Flipping Friday Tournament

It was an evening of tantalizing drama and spectacular flipper finesse at District 82 Pinball’s Flipping Friday Tournament on September 22, 2023. As broken clouds hovered outside with a comfortable 74°F temperature, inside the arcade, it was nothing short of electrifying.

Fast Flips, Faster Decisions

The tournament was conducted in 4 rounds with 2 games per round. A total of 27 pinball aficionados competed, earning points based on their finishing positions. With a time limit of just over two and a half hours, players had to be fast with their flippers and faster with their decisions.

The Highlight Reel

In a surprising turn of events, Round 1 on the vintage Star Trek by Bally was a game to remember. Bret Derby from Appleton, WI, left everyone stunned with his IFPA rank of 1524, securing first place in the round. Tom Schmidt, and with a higher IFPA rank of 397, found themselves in fourth place, proving that in the world of pinball, rankings aren’t the end-all.

And the Flippers Go To…

Applause and kudos to the champions who maneuvered their way through the complex mazes and flashing lights:

  1. Danny Bronny – Proving the power of experience, Danny with an IFPA rank of 450 emerged as the champion.
  2. Tom Schmidt – They didn’t let their Round 1 setback keep them down, surging to a second-place finish.
  3. Mark Hershey – His IFPA rank of 3491 didn’t hold him back from seizing third place.
  4. Jim Heidemann – Consistent gameplay ensured Jim a spot in the top four.

Machines that Stole the Show

With a staggering 112 machines on hand, it was tough to choose favorites. Yet, some stood out:

  1. Star Trek by Bally – A classic that can still draw a crowd.
  2. The Walking Dead (Pro) by Stern – Because who doesn’t like dodging zombies?
  3. Dolly Parton by Bally – Bringing a bit of country glamour to the arcade.
  4. Last Action Hero by Data East – A 90s nostalgia trip worth taking.
  5. Harlem Globetrotters On Tour by Bally – Another classic that never goes out of style.

The Mecca of Pinball

District 82 isn’t just another arcade; it’s a pinball pilgrimage site. Known for its stunning collection of well-maintained, rare, and popular pinball machines, the venue attracts a wide range of talent—from locals to global pinball celebs.

IFPA Wisconsin Top 10

RankPlayer NameCityWppr Points
1Luke NahorniakLonsdale1265.28
2Jared AugustWest Bloomfield Township1165.19
3Neil GrafAppleton1143.63
4Escher Lefkoff1050.04
5Steven BowdenPalatine998.75
6Erik ThorenDe Pere737.83
7Jason WerdrickPark Ridge737.44
8Zach McCarthyConifer737.24
9David DalugaMilwaukee728.62
10Jordan Dechaine683.87

As we closed the evening, it was clear that rankings and statistics are just numbers. What really matters is the skill you bring to the flippers and how you adapt in the face of unpredictability. Keep an eye out for our next tournament; who knows, you might be the next pinball wizard to rise through the ranks!

Stay tuned for more updates from the realm of pinball!