On a blazing day with clear skies where the mercury touched 93°F, pinball enthusiasts converged under the roof of the Tucson Indoor Sports Center. Just a shade away from 4 hours, a pulsating drama of flippers, bumpers, and silver balls was about to ensue.
The Legacy of The Lizard: Celebrating Godzilla
Wayne Saeger had meticulously organized the event, making sure the spotlight shone bright on Stern’s Godzilla (Premium), released precisely two years ago on the same date. In Round 5, the giant lizard roared to life, drawing applause and some nail-biting finishes. Marana’s own Ben Clement, with an impressive IFPA rank of 386, clinched the top spot for this round, followed by the promising KEVIN ANDERSON AZ and the maestro organizer himself, Wayne Saeger.
A Throwback in Time: The Machines
While the tournament featured a total of nine machines, let’s talk about some that truly brought back memories:
- Ghostbusters (Pro) by Stern: Who you gonna call? The nostalgia of 2016!
- Metallica (Pro) by Stern: Headbanging to high scores since 2013.
- Old Chicago by Bally: An ageless beauty from 1976.
- Dolly Parton by Bally: Singing and winning since 1978.
- The Walking Dead (Pro) by Stern: One doesn’t merely play; one survives.
The Masters of The Game
The leaderboard saw some familiar and new faces. John Finnegan, with an IFPA rank of 565, stood tall with his impeccable gameplay. Wayne Saeger and Mike LaHaie, from Tucson AZ, followed, proving that home advantage isn’t just a myth. Ben Clement, once again from Marana, wrapped up the top four, marking his territory in the Arizona pinball community.
Tucson Indoor Sports Center: More Than Just Pinball
To the uninitiated, this place might seem like a hockey hub, as evidenced by a visitor from San Jose who, with his brother, came for some puck action. The tiles might differ from San Jose, but the fun is universally understood. Shout out to the accommodating staff at TISC!
Arizona’s Best Flippers
The local leaderboard deserves its own spotlight. Here’s a rundown:
| Rank | Player Name | City | Wppr Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roland Nadeau | 660.87 | |
| 2 | Mark Pearson | Phoenix | 588.61 |
| 3 | John Shopple | Mesa | 570.08 |
| 4 | John Magyar | Gilbert | 352.83 |
| 5 | Kevan Carter | Tempe | 321.39 |
| 6 | Jason Barre | Mesa | 312.27 |
| 7 | Adam Horton | Phoenix | 307.65 |
| 8 | Paul Blanco | Chandler | 306.34 |
| 9 | Joey Rio | Surprise | 282 |
| 10 | Walter dony | Phoenix | 281.41 |
With the sun setting in Tucson and the flipper frenzy dying down, one thing’s for sure: the spirit of pinball is very much alive and well in the heart of Arizona.
Catch you at the next tilt, and remember, in the world of pinball, always keep the ball alive!