Extra Inning, released by Gottlieb in 1975, remains one of the most intriguing relics of the mid-70s electro-mechanical era. Designed by the legendary Ed Krynski with characteristically vibrant art by Gordon Morison, this single-player baseball title eschews the traditional playfield layouts of its contemporaries in favor of a specialized, novelty-focused design. With a limited production run of just 350 units, it stands as a rare diamond in the rough for collectors who appreciate the tactile, rhythmic satisfaction of classic reel-based scoring.
The playfield is built around a unique baseball simulation, anchored by a pair of vari-targets that force players to gauge their flipper timing with precision. Unlike standard stationary targets, these mechanical devices track the force of your shot, rewarding the player who can perfectly calibrate their strike to advance runners around the diamond. Complementing the vari-targets are eight standup targets that populate the playfield, creating a congested, high-stakes environment where every flip feels like a high-tension at-bat.
Mastering Extra Inning requires a departure from standard pinball habits; because the vari-targets register varying degrees of impact, you cannot simply bash the ball indiscriminately. Instead, the game rewards a measured approach, pushing the player to treat the flippers as a batter’s box. It is a brilliant, albeit challenging, piece of sports-themed engineering that captures the spirit of the ballpark through the pure, unfiltered lens of Gottlieb’s golden age. For those lucky enough to find one, it offers a fascinating glimpse into a time when designers were experimenting with how to translate the rules of the diamond onto the wooden canvas of the pinball machine.