The gentle hum of pinball machines, the vibrant lights blinking rhythmically, and the unmistakable sounds of silver balls ricocheting off bumpers — this was the setting on the evening of October 11, 2023, at the illustrious Pinball Gallery in Malvern, PA. This wasn’t just any evening. It marked the continuation of a thrilling saga: The Ball Busters Pinball League’s 2023 Season #5 Week 6 tournament.
Setting the Stage: Atmospheric Excellence
Situated at 81 Lancaster Ave #20, the Pinball Gallery — a temple for pinball enthusiasts — was brimming with excitement. Organized by the ever-charismatic Bill Disney, the tournament attracted 18 pinball wizards ready to duel. And while the weather outside, a refreshing 60°F under a clear sky, might have made for a pleasant evening stroll, inside, the competition was heating up.
Grand Lizard: The Battle of the Titans
The highlight of the early rounds? A face-off on the vintage Grand Lizard machine by Williams from 1986. Anita Thallmayer, with an IFPA rank of 2403, showcased her mastery by clinching the top spot. Following close was the enigmatic Ana Dult, who despite having an IFPA rank of 0, proved that numbers aren’t everything. Kim Smith and Terri Morton wrapped up the top four, setting the stage for what was going to be an epic battle for the top.
Machines of the Night
From a spectacular collection of 63 pinball machines, a few stood out:
- Joker Poker by Gottlieb: A card-game-based classic from 1978.
- Star Trek by Bally: Transporting players to space since 1978.
- Venom (Pro) by Stern: A new entry from 2023, filled with superhero action.
- Rock Encore by Gottlieb: A throwback to the vibrant music of the 80s.
- Black Knight 2000 by Williams: A medieval adventure dating back to 1989.
Night’s Champions: Skill & Precision
- Kim Smith took the throne showcasing skills honed over 73 IFPA events.
- Anita Thallmayer and Ana Dult followed closely in second and third, with the former bringing experience from 157 IFPA events.
- Terri Morton, or “Terri the Tenacious” as fans might say, clinched the fourth spot.
The Gallery Vibe
A peek at the Pinball Gallery’s website reveals a sterling recommendation: “I went to my friend’s birthday party that was being held here, and I had so much fun!! The bad cats pinball was my favorite! Def recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.”
Pennsylvania’s Pinball Powerhouses
The IFPA Pennsylvania Top 10 rankings stood as follows:
| Rank | Player Name | City | Wppr Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cryss Stephens | 191.32 | |
| 2 | Jared Schmidt | Pittsburgh | 157.84 |
| 3 | Lewis Bevans | Pittsburgh | 142.41 |
| 4 | Aleksander Kaczmarczyk | 138.63 | |
| 5 | Stephen Le | Chesterbrook | 117.63 |
| 6 | Bob Choate | Philadelphia | 116.68 |
| 7 | Tony Makowski | Lansdale | 103.31 |
| 8 | Corey Hulse | Schwenksville | 100.8 |
| 9 | Matt Gusler | Philadelphia | 96.01 |
| 10 | Cliff Albert | 89.06 |
Pinball Dreams Continue…
As the silver balls came to rest and the flippers went silent, another thrilling chapter in Pennsylvania’s pinball history concluded. Until next time, keep those flipper fingers nimble and stay tuned for more tales from the pinball realm!