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
- Sean Irby: Ranked 86th but played like he was in the top 10.
- Johnny Modica: With a whopping 431 total IFPA events, experience pays off.
- David Green CA: Consistency is key for this contender.
- 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:
| Rank | Player Name | City | Wppr Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tim Hansen | Sunnyvale | 538.95 |
| 2 | Raymond Ashby | Los Angeles | 518.08 |
| 3 | Gabe Da Silveira | Oakland | 462.95 |
| 4 | Scott Macias | Glendora | 456.81 |
| 5 | Nic Stein | Davis | 418.12 |
| 6 | Andrei Massenkoff | San Francisco | 415.03 |
| 7 | Escher Lefkoff | 411.53 | |
| 8 | Keith Elwin | Carlsbad | 409.63 |
| 9 | Johnny Modica | Hacienda Hts | 401.79 |
| 10 | Leslie Ruckman | 360.98 |
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!