Underneath the broken clouds and a pleasantly even 76°F, on September 09, 2023, pinball enthusiasts converged at a rather unlikely venue – West County Lanes in Ellisville, MO. This wasn’t about strikes, spares, or turkeys. Instead, it was about flippers, bumpers, and that illustrious high score.

West County Lanes: More Than Just Bowling 🎳

It might be easy to dismiss West County Lanes as just another local bowling alley, but you’d be missing out on its 80’s styled arcade🕹 and the pinball bar room🍻. A retreat for some low-key fun and perhaps a hint of nostalgia for the older gamers. The neon lights of the pinball machines stood in stark contrast to the wood of the bowling lanes. Families and friends cheered, not just for strikes but for every saved ball and target hit.

The Game Plan

Organized by the ever-efficient Dean Huber, the WCP Second Saturday Stern Army Tournament was no amateur hour. With 6 rounds, 10 players, and groups of four, the strategy was simple but the competition fierce. Earn those points, and earn them fast!

Heroes, Monsters, and Outer Space: The Pinball Machines

With a lineup of 10 machines, let’s thrust the spotlight on some that truly dazzled:

• Stranger Things (Pro) by Stern: Taking players to the eerie town of Hawkins.
• Deadpool (Pro) by Stern: Where humor meets some seriously good pinball action.
• Rush (LE) by Stern: A rhythmic journey with the legendary band.
• Jurassic Park (Premium) by Stern: The standout game of the tournament took place here in Round 5.
• The Mandalorian (LE) by Stern: Baby Yoda and pinball? Yes, please!

A Game Worth Every Flip: Round 5 Spotlight

On Jurassic Park (Premium), players showcased some dino-sized skills. Dave Rush from BALLWIN, MO, snagged the top spot, followed closely by Zach Pilger and Steve Smith IL. The talented Haley Huber from Ballwin MO wrapped up the round in fourth place.

Pinball Champions of the Day

A round of applause for the pinball wizards:

1. Steve Smith IL: With a notable IFPA rank of 1162, he emerged on top.
2. Carrie Gaines: A rising star with an IFPA rank of 11251.
3. Dave Rush: The dino-tamer from BALLWIN, MO.
4. Haley Huber: Consistency and skill got her the fourth spot.

Missouri’s Best Pinballers

Here’s a look at the IFPA Missouri Pinball Top 10:

Rank	Player Name	City	Wppr Points
1	John Miller MO	St. Louis	305.52
2	Kendell Holder	St. Louis	214.18
3	Brennan Sullivan	St. Louis	196.53
4	Adam McKinnie	Columbia	185.92
5	Steve Rolsing	St. Louis	169.11
6	Chris Ward	St. Louis	165.23
7	Jacob Fischer	St. Louis	155.66
8	Carleton Plourde	St. Louis	120.36
9	Mike Howard	St. Louis	119.67
10	Travis Murie	Oklahoma City	117.02

Till The Next Ball Drops

As the flippers rested and the neon lights dimmed, the tournament came to an end. But in the hearts of the players and the audience, the memories of the day would continue to twinkle. Ellisville, you’ve been grand!

For more pinball showdowns and updates, keep those flippers ready and stay tuned!

On August 12, 2023, pinball aficionados from near and far descended upon Benton Parkade, St. Louis, Missouri, eager to be a part of the much-anticipated St. Louis Area Pinball Championship. Organized by the seasoned player, Tyler Becker, this wasn’t just another competition; it was a tribute to the legacy of pinball itself.

Metallica Madness

A pinball tournament is incomplete without a game that keeps everyone on the edge of their seats. This time it was the Metallica (Pro) match in Round 2 that stole the spotlight. Eric Freimanis, hailing from Mannford, OK, surprised everyone with his exceptional gameplay, securing the first place. And while Travis Murie’s IFPA rank of 23 might have intimidated many, that day belonged to Eric.

The Clash of Titans

Adam McKinnie, who traveled from Columbia, MO, might not have won the Metallica round, but he surely made a mark by becoming the overall champion. And let’s not forget John Miller from MO, who not only grabbed the second spot in the championship but also ranks first in the IFPA Missouri Pinball standings.

Modern Machines with a Vintage Heart

The Benton Parkade was a pinball paradise with 26 machines, each one with its own unique charm. Whether it was the recently released “Foo Fighters (Pro)” or the timeless “Monster Bash” from 1998, there was a machine for every pinball lover.

A Place of Legends

Benton Parkade, with its atmospheric setting, was the heart and soul of this championship. What’s more, the adjoining Piazza Cafe served pizzas through a window, adding another layer of charm to the venue. And while most of the pinball machines were modern (costing about $1 a game), the place had an old-world feel that was hard to ignore.

Here’s a snapshot of the IFPA Missouri Pinball Top 10 Standings:

Rank	Player Name	City	Wppr Points
1	John Miller MO	St. Louis	305.12
2	Kendell Holder	St. Louis	184.73
3	Adam McKinnie	Columbia	183.36
4	Brennan Sullivan	St. Louis	179.94
5	Chris Ward	St. Louis	164.94
6	Steve Rolsing	St. Louis	159.86
7	Jacob Fischer	St. Louis	155.44
8	Mike Howard	St. Louis	119.56
9	Travis Murie	Oklahoma City	116.71
10	Steve Hill MO	Kansas City	113.17

In the world of pinball, every flip counts, every point matters, and every game is a new story. And as we wrap up the St. Louis Area Pinball Championship 2023, all we can say is – till the flippers meet again, game on! Stay tuned for more pinball magic!

Amidst the buzz and clatter of flippers, a mid-summer’s tournament took the stage on August 6, 2023. The Pinfield Meta Games Matchplay pinball contest, a masterful creation of Josh Noble, reverberated through the vast space of Meta Games Unlimited, situated gracefully on East Sunshine Street, Springfield, MO.

Venue Vibes: A Blend of Retro and Recent

First impressions? Three out of the nine pinball machines took a day off, but the ones in action didn’t disappoint! Favorites like Monster Bash and Iron Man were in prime condition, receiving adulation from seasoned players and newcomers alike. The venue wasn’t just about pinball – with ample space dedicated to tabletop games and a vast collection waiting to be bought, it’s safe to say the pictures do only 20% justice to what the venue truly offers.

Pinball Picks: From Prospector to The Mandalorian

Highlighting some of the machines at play, we had:

• Super-Flite by Williams, a classic from 1974, invoking nostalgia with every flip.
• Stern’s Star Trek (Pro) from 2013, taking players on an interstellar journey.
• The rhythmic and iconic The Beatles from 2018, making every game a Yellow Submarine ride.
• The Wild West-themed Cactus Canyon (Remake Special/LE) by Chicago Gaming from 2021, letting players duel in a digital desert.
• And the freshly released The Mandalorian (Pro) by Stern from May 2021, an ode to the Star Wars universe, inviting players to side with Mando.

The Godzilla Grapple

One of the pinnacle moments was in Round 11 on the Godzilla (Pro) machine by Stern. Josh Noble, proving his mettle as not just an organizer but a formidable player, secured the top position. Following him were Christen Moore, Brandon Pennington, and Stacee LaFrieda. Noble’s strategic maneuvering and intense concentration on this machine were truly sights to behold.

Tournament Titans

The tournament culminated with John Dozier claiming the throne, closely trailed by Josh Noble, Aaron Pennington, and Shane Yozzo. It’s noteworthy that Shane, with an IFPA rank of 1167, has participated in a whopping 385 events!

Missouri’s Pinball Maestros

Here’s a peek into the cream of Missouri’s pinball crop:

Rank	Player Name	City	Wppr Points
1	John Miller MO	St. Louis	305.51
2	Kendell Holder	St. Louis	214.19
3	Brennan Sullivan	St. Louis	196.55
4	Adam McKinnie	Columbia	183.5
5	Steve Rolsing	St. Louis	169.11
6	Chris Ward	St. Louis	165.23
7	Jacob Fischer	St. Louis	155.67
8	Mike Howard	St. Louis	119.67
9	Travis Murie	Oklahoma City	117.02
10	Steve Hill MO	Kansas City	113.17

To the pinball aficionados and the simply curious, stay plugged in as we bring more electric updates from the ever-spinning, ever-thrilling realm of pinball!

The First Sunday Strikeout at the Benton Parkade and Cafe Piazza in St Louis, MO was an exciting and competitive event. With 38 players and 11 pinballs competing in the tournament, the competition was heated and there were some close calls! Adam McKinnie was the champion, followed by John Miller MO in second place, Stephen Chappell in third, Kendell Holder in fourth, and Marq Quiller in fifth.

The tournament featured a variety of pinball machines, ranging from Rush (Premium) by Stern released in January of 2022 to the classic Attack From Mars (Remake) by Chicago Gaming released in June of 2017. Players had the opportunity to play on a wide selection of games, such as Monster Bash (Remake Special) by Chicago Gaming, Avengers: Infinity Quest (Pro) by Stern, Jurassic Park (Premium) by Stern, Guardians of the Galaxy by Stern, Aerosmith by Stern, and Godzilla (Premium) by Stern.

It was a great event and everyone had a lot of fun. Congratulations to Adam McKinnie for taking first place and a big thanks to Dan Sexauer for organizing the tournament. We look forward to the next tournament and you can find out more information by visiting the event page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/8436571153083811.

The IFPA North America Championship Series Missouri is heating up, with the current top 10 standings led by John Miller of St. Louis, MO. With 54.82 points and a current WPPR rank of 54, Miller is a force to be reckoned with. Not far behind him is Steve Hill of Kansas City, MO with 52.96 points and a current WPPR rank of 141. Further down the line, Adam McKinnie of Columbia, MO is making a statement with 36.58 points and a WPPR rank of 397. As we can see, the top 10 pinballers of the IFPA North America Championship Series Missouri have impressive scores and rankings. It’s sure to be an exciting tournament as the competition progresses.