OC Belles & Chimes Showcase Women’s Pinball in Anaheim

The OC Belles & Chimes Bring the Competitive Fire to Anaheim

Monday nights in Anaheim are usually about traffic and tacos, but on September 29th, something far more electric filled the air at Captain’s Arcade Showroom. Fourteen competitors stepped into the neon glow of the silverball sanctuary for OC Belles & Chimes – Season 19, Event #5, ready for an evening of fast turns, fast scores, and faster heartbeats. In just over an hour and a half, the room erupted into the kind of high-energy, high-focus play that defines SoCal’s most passionate pinball gatherings.

Inside Captain’s Arcade Showroom

Just off East La Palma Avenue sits Captain’s Arcade Showroom a neon-soaked pinball haven with over 70 machines ready to test your reflexes. Part arcade, part collector hub, and fully committed to its “play… in a pirate sort of way” charm, the showroom blends modern Stern releases with beautifully restored classics.

Right next door, Captain’s Auction Warehouse keeps the energy buzzing year-round as the West Coast’s premier auction house for arcade and coin-op machines. The result is a uniquely electric environment—one where tournament players flip for points only steps from where rare pins are bought, sold, and celebrated. It’s part showroom, part marketplace, part museum, and all heart.

Spider-Man: With Great Power Comes Great Multiball

Early in the evening, four of the night’s fiercest players—Cecilia Clarizio, Nicole Thornhill, Naoko Neikirk, and organizer CC Castaneda—clashed on Spider-Man (Stern, 2007). Designed by Steve Ritchie and coded by Lyman Sheats, the game channels the kinetic pace of Ritchie’s Flow Era while pairing it with the punchy rules depth that defined Stern’s mid-2000s revival.

Cecilia swung through the chaos with precision, timing her multiballs like a superhero dodging debris in mid-air. Nicole countered with smart shot selection, but an unlucky drain on the right outlane cost her dearly. Naoko and CC both put up solid fights, trading jackpots as Doctor Octopus taunted from the playfield, but Clarizio’s rhythm never faltered. Her final ball sealed the deal with a sharp backhand to Doc Ock’s magnet, earning her the win and setting the tone for what would become a statement night.

Pinball Paradise: A Mix of Modern Marvels and Classic Chaos

With 51 pins lighting up Captain’s floor, players bounced between eras faster than a ball through a pop bumper. From new heavyweights to cult classics, here’s a glimpse of what made this lineup special:

Godzilla (LE) – Stern Pinball, 2021
Keith Elwin’s magnum opus of modern design, this game rewards control under chaos. Between the building lock mechanism and the collapsing bridge toy, Godzilla is all about flow—literally. Its open playfield and combo geometry give advanced players dozens of ways to reach “Planet X,” but it’s the destruction jackpot stacking that separates the contenders from the tourists.

The Uncanny X-Men (Premium) – Stern Pinball, 2024
A surprise hit of Stern’s late-2020s comic resurgence, this Premium reboot brought John Borg’s 2012 design back to life with new RGB lighting, polished rules by Dwight Sullivan, and that glorious comic book art package by Zombie Yeti. The dynamic “Danger Room” and Magneto multiball remain crowd favorites, reminding players that Borg layouts never really go out of style—they just mutate.

King Kong: Myth of Terror Island (LE) – Stern Pinball, 2025
Fresh off Stern’s summer release slate, this Brian Eddy creation is all spectacle. Kong himself towers above the upper playfield, animated and angry. The shaker integration is almost theatrical—every roar shakes the cabinet, and every jackpot feels like you’re bringing the beast down. It’s one of Stern’s most cinematic pins yet, and seeing it in a competitive environment so soon after release added an extra thrill.

The Beatles – Stern Pinball, 2018
When this game first dropped, many shrugged at its single-level layout—until they realized it’s a modern Seawitch with more hooks than Abbey Road. Designed by George Gomez with software from Dwight Sullivan, it’s deceptively deep for a one-ball bonus machine. The all-analog shot geometry forces precision over chaos—great for players with strong control but little room for mercy.

Laser Cue – Williams, 1984
A relic from the System 9 era, Laser Cue stands out for its early embrace of skill-based bonus building and its distinctive art by Constantino Mitchell. The physics are floaty, the shots unforgiving, and the sound package? Peak ‘80s. Anyone who can survive this game in tournament play deserves an extra drink ticket.

Dune – Barrels of Fun, 2025
One of the boldest new manufacturers in the industry, Barrels of Fun followed Labyrinth with a game that feels both cinematic and mechanically rich. The Spice Multiball is a tactical delight, with branching paths and dual playfield ramps that reflect the warring houses of Arrakis. It’s quickly becoming a tournament mainstay—and seeing it at Captain’s shows how fast this manufacturer has earned credibility.

Old Chicago – Bally, 1976
This EM gem by designer Jim Patla feels like it came from another world—one where nudging was an art form and every 10-point ding felt like progress. The warm chime-based scoring and inline bonus lanes make it a satisfying challenge, especially for players used to the sensory overload of Stern and JJP machines.

Mousin’ Around! – Bally, 1989
Pat Lawlor’s first solo design for Bally before Whirlwind and Addams Family, this one captures his signature chaos in its early form—quirky wireforms, side ramps, and a cartoonish sense of humor. It’s fast, it’s cheesy, and yes, the spinner can make or break your night.

Harry Potter (Wizard) – Jersey Jack Pinball, 2025
JJP’s Harry Potter feels like the modern gold standard for immersive design—flow that rivals Elwin’s Godzilla, animations rivaling Toy Story 4, and a codebase that rewards deep strategy over flash. Designed by Eric Meunier, it’s a layered challenge that requires you to think two modes ahead, a tough ask when adrenaline’s already high in competition.

Anaheim Ascends: The Champions Shine

• When the dust settled, Cecilia Clarizio emerged victorious—her first-place finish a strong statement for a player sitting 527th in California and 4690th in the nation after 167 IFPA events. Her steady precision proved that sometimes the quiet contenders make the loudest statement.
• Naoko Neikirk of Oceanside took second, reinforcing her reputation as a consistent force in the Top 400 statewide with nearly 200 events under her belt.
• Third went to Laura Stoddard, a familiar face on the California circuit with 391 events to her name and a solid IFPA rank of 3390—a nod to both her experience and her playful sense of humor.
• Fourth place went to Mayumi Mae, ranked 143rd in California and 565th nationally. Her strong finish proved that even on a night full of upsets, skill and composure still matter most.

California IFPA Pinball Top 10 Standings

Wrapping Up the Show

In just ninety minutes, OC Belles & Chimes – Season 19, Event #5 delivered everything that makes SoCal pinball special: fierce competition, big moments, and a community that knows how to show up and flip hard. Props to organizer CC Castaneda for another standout event, and to Captain’s Arcade Showroom for providing a home base that keeps Anaheim’s silverball scene buzzing.

Major congratulations to our winner, Cecilia Clarizio—and to everyone who battled their way through the night’s eclectic lineup. Keep following along for more tournament stories, new machine deep dives, and all the latest from the SoCal circuit. The next big game is already on deck.