Shaken, Not Stirred: Earthshaker Rumbles Southeastern PA Pinball League

Another week, another pinball battle, and this time we found ourselves in the heart of Pennsylvania for the Southeastern PA Pinball League – Winter 2025 W4 tournament. With 42 players clashing flippers over five games, it was an evening of skill, surprises, and (probably) a few well-placed nudges. Hosted at the ever-popular Pinball Gallery on January 30th, the action was as heated as the competition—despite the overcast skies and a brisk 35°F outside.

So who conquered the silverball gauntlet? Let’s dive in.

Pinball Gallery: The Place for Every Era of Pinball

Located in Malvern, PA, Pinball Gallery is a haven for pinheads of all stripes. Whether you’re chasing high scores on a brand-new Stern machine or reveling in the nostalgic chimes of a classic from the ‘70s, this place has it all. The welcoming atmosphere and knowledgeable crowd make it the perfect spot for both seasoned tournament players and curious newcomers who just realized competitive pinball is a thing. Bonus points for hosting private events—because nothing says “happy birthday” like a brutal multiball drain.

Game Spotlight: Earthshaker Rumbles the Rankings

To celebrate the anniversary of Earthshaker (Williams, February 1989), players got a taste of this seismic classic in Round 1. Designed by Pat Lawlor, the mastermind behind games like The Addams Family and Funhouse, Earthshaker is best known for its built-in shaker motor—the first of its kind in pinball. When the “Earthquake” mode activates, the entire machine literally shakes, adding to the chaos and forcing players to keep their nerves steady as they chase jackpots.

And speaking of tremors, Tom Garrett (IFPA rank 5424) sent shockwaves through the competition by nailing the top spot. Not far behind, Stefano Pinti (State Rank 27, IFPA 1060) held his ground but couldn’t quite steal the epic aftershock. Joe Czapka (IFPA 7007) and Jason Patterson (IFPA 6282) rounded out the leaderboard, proving that ranking means nothing when the ball is wild and the playfield is shaking.

79 Machines, Endless Fun

With 79 pinball machines on location, there was no shortage of variety. Here are a few that made their mark:

• Foo Fighters (Premium) – Designed by Jack Danger, this modern rock-themed machine blends fast loops, challenging multiballs, and a killer soundtrack from the band itself. With dynamic playfield features like the Overlord’s tower and a unique upper playfield, Foo Fighters demands sharp reflexes and a good sense of rhythm.
• Ripley’s Believe It or Not! – Another Pat Lawlor creation, this machine is all about bizarre adventures, cryptids, and weird facts. The bizarre shot layout, along with its challenging multi-level playfield and the infamous “Believe It or Not!” scoop, made it a great test of skill during the tournament.
• Black Knight: Sword of Rage (Pro) – The third entry in the legendary Black Knight series, this game brings back the taunting voice of the Black Knight himself. With brutally fast gameplay and a punishing center playfield, only the boldest players dared to challenge the Knight—and many met their match.
• Pulp Fiction (SE) – A throwback to Bally’s early solid-state era, Pulp Fiction strips pinball down to its essentials: tight shots, punishing drains, and no-frills multiball mayhem. It might look simple, but underestimating it is a mistake—just like not tipping your waitress.
• Bone Busters Inc. – Designed by John Trudeau, this horror-comedy pin is full of oddball humor and some seriously tricky ramp shots. It’s the kind of game that rewards risk-takers but punishes hesitation.
• Ghostbusters (Premium) – With artwork from Jeremy Packer (Zombie Yeti) and a chaotic playfield full of ghost traps, ectoplasmic ramps, and that dangerous middle scoop, Ghostbusters is both thrilling and rage-inducing. Players love it, and tournament competitors fear it—because Slimer loves draining balls.
• The Addams Family – A legendary pinball machine and the best-selling of all time, designed by Pat Lawlor. With smooth flow, a deep rule set, and the ever-reliable “Thing Flip” auto-shot, Addams Family remains a staple of competitive play.
• Funhouse (Remake CE) – A newly remade version of the 1990 classic, featuring Rudy—the talking, taunting, nightmare-inducing puppet. Whether you love him or hate him, there’s no denying that hitting the midnight multiball never gets old.
• Creature from the Black Lagoon – This game combines 1950s drive-in nostalgia with one of the best multiball sequences ever. Players spent most of their time trying to spell “FILM” and not cursing at the tricky left ramp shot.

The Winners: Battling Through the Field

With 42 competitors, the road to victory wasn’t easy. But one player flipped their way to the top:

1. Thomas Fernandez (IFPA 3127) – With 113 events under his belt, Thomas put that experience to work and secured the win.
2. Don Werth (IFPA 2411, State Rank 98) – A strong second-place finish for Don, who’s been steadily climbing the ranks across his 37 events.
3. Darold Bottoms (IFPA 21474) – Only his fourth IFPA event, and he’s already on the podium? Someone keep an eye on Darold.
4. Craig Powell (IFPA 5137) – A solid top-four finish for Craig, proving consistency across his 70 IFPA events.

Pennsylvania’s IFPA Top 10 Standings

The Keystone State is packed with competitive players, and here’s how the top 10 are stacking up:

Wrapping It Up: Big Flips and Bigger Fun

The Southeastern PA Pinball League – Winter 2025 W4 was another thrilling chapter in Pennsylvania’s competitive pinball scene. Bill Disney kept things running smoothly as the tournament organizer, and Pinball Gallery provided the perfect battlefield for yet another legendary night of flips, nudges, and upsets.

If you missed this one, don’t worry—there’s always another tournament around the corner. Until next time, keep your flippers up and your tilt warnings low.