On a balmy evening, with temperatures hanging around a comfortable 72°F, the heart of San Francisco pulsated with a different kind of energy. On October 04, 2023, at 7:30 PM, the pinball wizards of the West converged at the iconic Free Gold Watch, ready to face off in the much-anticipated SFPD Fall 2023 #5 pinball tournament.
Venue Vibes: Free Gold Watch
Free Gold Watch wasn’t just another arcade. The retro lighting, the clattering of the pinball machines, and the excited murmurs created a symphony, making it the perfect place for dates, friendships, and of course, some serious pinball action.
A Game That Bent The Fabric of Time
In a peculiar and somewhat humorous turn of events, one game in particular, the Snow Derby by Gottlieb (circa 1970) seemed to stretch the very fabric of time. Clocking in at a mind-boggling 150 minutes, this game magically outlasted the entire tournament’s duration. Whether it was a rift in the space-time continuum or just some very intense gameplay, we might never know.
A hearty shoutout to the players of this marathon match:
- Josh Campoverde: Leading the pack with the calm composure that comes with an IFPA rank of 3688.
- Eric Wagensonner: A close second and a force to be reckoned with given his rank of 308.
- Mikey Lee Barton: Third on the Snow Derby but first in enthusiasm with a rank of 7398.
- Dominic DiPalantino: Completing the quartet with a respectable fourth position, showcasing his skillset ranked at 4681.
The Crowning Glories of the Evening
Amidst the echoes of flippers and bells, emerged some clear victors:
- Zac Wollons: Dominated the evening, backed by his impressive track record with 362 IFPA events.
- Jon Oberto: Made a mark despite his relatively newcomer status, landing a proud second.
- Jared Garvey: This Berkeley local clinched third with style, leveraging his experience from 277 IFPA events.
- Josh Lehan: Another force from Castro Valley, finishing the night strong in fourth place.
The Machines That Made The Night
A stellar line-up of 63 machines entertained the crowd, with some standouts like:
- Stranger Things (Pro) by Stern: A recent addition, bringing Hawkins right to San Francisco.
- Scooby-Doo (CE) by Spooky Pinball: The latest entrant from 2023, taking players on a spooky adventure.
- The Simpsons Pinball Party by Stern: An oldie but goldie, replete with Springfield shenanigans.
- The Godfather (LE) by Jersey Jack Pinball: Another newbie, offering an offer you can’t refuse.
- Theatre of Magic by Bally: Casting a spell since ’95, never ceases to enchant.
Golden State’s Pinball Giants
While the evening celebrated individual games, it also acknowledged the prowess of California’s finest pinball players:
| Rank | Player Name | City | Wppr Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tim Hansen | Sunnyvale | 599.79 |
| 2 | Gabe Da Silveira | Oakland | 553.28 |
| 3 | Escher Lefkoff | – | 532.32 |
| 4 | Raymond Ashby | Los Angeles | 520.25 |
| 5 | Scott Macias | Glendora | 461.57 |
| 6 | Nic Stein | Davis | 436.01 |
| 7 | Johnny Modica | Hacienda Heights | 420.6 |
| 8 | Andrei Massenkoff | San Francisco | 415.03 |
| 9 | Keith Elwin | Carlsbad | 409.63 |
| 10 | Leslie Ruckman | – | 408.05 |
As flippers rested and lights dimmed, the SFPD Fall 2023 #5 came to a close, leaving attendees with memories, stories, and a palpable excitement for the next gathering.
Stay locked on San Francisco Pinball Dept for more adventures in the world of pinball!