On July 10, 2024, at 6:30 PM, the Ball Busters Pinball League hosted an exciting tournament at the Pinball Gallery. Sixteen players went head-to-head over five rounds, each featuring a different game. The tournament lasted about two and a half hours, with players giving it their all under clear skies and a warm temperature of 87°F, which felt more like 98°F.
A Pinball Lover’s Dream: Pinball Gallery
The Pinball Gallery, located at 81 Lancaster Ave #20, Malvern, PA 19355, is the perfect spot for any pinball enthusiast. This place boasts a huge selection of pinball tables, so you could spend hours there and still not play them all. It’s lively, and yes, it gets noisy, but that’s part of the arcade experience. The entry fee is quite reasonable at $18 for two hours of play. Whether you’re a pinball wizard or just looking for some nostalgic fun, the Pinball Gallery is the place to be. For more information, check out their website at Pinball Gallery.
Highlight of Round 2: Rush (LE) by Stern
Round 2 of the tournament featured an epic game on Rush (LE) by Stern, a machine that captures the spirit of the legendary band Rush. Jamme Thomas from Phoenixville, PA, played an outstanding game. She skillfully navigated the ramps and targets, with the game’s dynamic theme adding to the excitement. Her impressive performance earned her the top spot, leaving Alex Gehris, Amy McManus, and Ruth Parks to compete for the remaining positions.
Standout Pinball Machines
The tournament featured 63 different machines, each with its own unique flair:
- Ghostbusters (Premium) by Stern: Features proton pack magnetic slingshots and interactive ghost holograms.
- Elvira’s House of Horrors (Premium) by Stern: Players navigate a spooky house with Elvira’s amusing commentary.
- Led Zeppelin (Pro) by Stern: Rock out to classic Led Zeppelin tracks while aiming for high scores.
- Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy by Bally: Known for its vibrant artwork and timeless design.
- The Getaway: High Speed II by Williams: A fast-paced game with a unique supercharger loop.
- AC/DC (LUCI Vault Edition) by Stern: Features AC/DC’s greatest hits and thrilling multiball action.
- Punk! by Gottlieb: A rare and challenging machine with a punk rock theme.
- Batman 66 (Premium) by Stern: Join Batman and Robin in this fun and engaging pinball adventure.
Celebrating the Top Players
The final game on Space Station by Williams saw some impressive performances. Anita Thallmayer took first place, showcasing her skills and ranking 163rd in the state and 2865th in the IFPA. Sherry Disney came in second, demonstrating great effort despite her IFPA rank of 17203. Stephanie Savy from Media, PA, secured third place with a state rank of 171st and an IFPA rank of 5464. Julia Furlong, although unranked, played well and rounded out the top four.
IFPA Pennsylvania Pinball Top 10 Standings
| Rank | Player Name | City | Wppr Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cryss Stephens | 276.58 | |
| 2 | Aleksander Kaczmarczyk | Pittsburgh | 251.45 |
| 3 | Jared Schmidt | Pittsburgh | 206.79 |
| 4 | Gary Hartz | Pittsburgh | 173.23 |
| 5 | Lewis Bevans | Pittsburgh | 172.37 |
| 6 | Dave Lancaster | Pittsburgh | 167.98 |
| 7 | John Delzoppo | Cleveland | 143.6 |
| 8 | David Riel | Pittsburgh | 139 |
| 9 | Daniel Gilbert | Trappe | 105.88 |
| 10 | Mahesh Murthy | Pittsburgh | 100.09 |
Wrapping Up the Tournament
The Ball Busters Pinball League’s tournament was a blast, thanks to organizer Bill Disney and the fantastic Pinball Gallery. Congrats to Anita Thallmayer on her win! A big welcome to new players Alex Gehris, Amy McManus, and Ruth Parks—we hope you had a great time. Stay tuned for more exciting pinball events and stories!