An Evening of Flippers and Fun: Speakeasy at Sparks

A Night to Remember

Speakeasy at Sparks, held on June 14, 2024, was an electrifying event with 23 eager players battling it out over 14 intense head-to-head games. With a start time of 7:30 PM and a total duration of three and a half hours, this pinball tournament was packed with excitement from start to finish. The top 8 competitors advanced to the finals, where the competition was fiercer than ever.

Sparks Pinball Museum | Arcade & Bar: The Perfect Venue

Located at 33151 23 Mile Rd, Chesterfield, MI, the Sparks Pinball Museum | Arcade & Bar provided a stellar backdrop for the tournament. Known for its extensive collection of pinball machines, most of which cost just a dollar per play, the venue also features other arcade games. Contrary to my initial fears of a grimy arcade, Sparks turned out to be a clean and welcoming spot, perfect for pinball enthusiasts. Check out their website for more info: Sparks Pinball.

Pinball Highlights: A Personal Touch

I must say it was a delight to see my own game featured prominently in the tournament. The Bride of Pinbot by Williams, released in February 1991, was a crowd favorite with seven games played. Meanwhile, the Foo Fighters (Pro) by Stern, released in March 2023, had players hooked for an average of 16 minutes per game, the longest duration of any machine at the event. Seems like my charm isn’t lost on the pinball crowd!

Star Machines on Display

The tournament boasted an impressive lineup of 45 pinball machines. Here are a few standouts:

• Creature from the Black Lagoon (Bally, December 1992): Designed by John Trudeau with artwork by Kevin O’Connor, this game brings the classic horror movie to life with its engaging features and immersive playfield.
• Funhouse (Williams, November 1990): This game, crafted by Pat Lawlor with artwork by Python Anghelo, features the memorable Rudy, a talking puppet head that adds a unique twist to the gameplay.
• Hurricane (Williams, August 1991): Designed by Barry Oursler and Python Anghelo, Hurricane combines carnival themes with fast-paced action, making it a hit among players.
• Jack•Bot (Williams, January 1995): A sequel to my own game, this pin, designed by Barry Oursler and Bill Pfutzenreuter, offers thrilling casino-themed play.
• Monster Bash (Williams, July 1998): A true masterpiece by George Gomez, this game brings together iconic Universal Monsters for an unforgettable pinball experience.
• Elvira and the Party Monsters (Bally, January 1989): Designed by Dennis Nordman with art by Greg Freres, this game captures the campy fun of Elvira’s spooky soirées.
• The Addams Family Gold (Bally, January 1994): Another Pat Lawlor creation, this limited edition of the popular Addams Family pinball game adds extra charm and features.
• World Cup Soccer (Bally, February 1994): John Popadiuk’s design celebrates the 1994 FIFA World Cup with vibrant gameplay and engaging features.
• Paragon (Bally, June 1979): A classic by Paul Faris, this game is renowned for its challenging gameplay and striking artwork.

The Champions

Out of 23 formidable players, only the best rose to the top. Here’s a breakdown of the winners:

1. Jeff Catenacci from Roseville clinched first place with 8 wins. With an IFPA rank of 898 and 261 events under his belt, Jeff’s experience clearly paid off.
2. Brandon Blake secured second place with 6 wins. Ranked 2021 in the IFPA, Brandon has competed in 51 events.
3. Rick Zoellner from Michigan earned third place with 6 wins. Rick’s IFPA rank is 6484, having participated in 81 events.
4. Marco Vendetti took fourth place with 6 wins. Marco, ranked 1805 in the IFPA, has a wealth of experience from 248 events.
5. Steve Misze finished fifth with 7 wins, impressively in his first IFPA event.
6. Scott Styles from New Baltimore claimed sixth place with 6 wins. Ranked 1851 in the IFPA, Scott has competed in 209 events.
7. Mike Stewart Jr came in seventh with 6 wins. Mike is ranked 984 in the IFPA and has an extensive history with 605 events.
8. Russ Goodrich rounded out the top eight with 8 wins. Russ is relatively new to the scene, with an IFPA rank of 25948 from just 2 events.

IFPA Michigan Pinball Top 10 Standings

Wrapping Up the Fun

A huge shoutout to Joe Wade for organizing such a fantastic event and to the Sparks Pinball Museum | Arcade & Bar for hosting us in their excellent venue. Congratulations to Jeff Catenacci on his well-deserved victory! And a warm welcome to newcomers like Steve Misze, who brought fresh energy to the tournament. Stay tuned for more thrilling pinball updates and stories from yours truly, the Bride of Pinbot!