Streaming soon on a device near you! Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game

Posted By Josh Sharpe, on August 01, 2024

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Library streaming video service Kanopy is pleased to announce the return of Big Movie Watch! This time, the film club is showing Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game. Based on true events, Pinball is the captivating story of Roger Sharpe, a GQ journalist and real-life pinball wizard who, in 1976, helped overturn New York City’s 35-year ban on pinball.

Borrow and watch the film on Kanopy through your public library* ticket-free from September 5-16, and chat about it with other viewers on the discussion board, or use #bigmoviewatch on social media.

On September 12 at 12pm ET, Roger Sharpe will be joining Jill Grunenwald (IFPA #111376) in a virtual conversation about Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game and his experiences. Register today for this free webinar!

*Not all libraries offer Kanopy. Check with your local library to learn more about their offerings.

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PAPA 21 World Pinball Championships – Location Coin Drop Donations Courtesy of Matt Faulkner

Posted By Josh Sharpe, on July 11, 2024

blog post courtesy of Matt Faulkner

For July and August, I have elected to add 10% of the gross coin drop from the pinball machines I have on location to the final donation made to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by PAPA 21. I am a hobby operator in my small town of North Bay, Ontario, running about ten games in the area – the only location pinball to play in the region. In the past I have used the “pinball fund” to support friends whose pinball businesses were suffering due to the pandemic, and now I consider it a privilege to be able to support this cause.

Depression is a matter that has caused major problems in my life. It rendered me mostly unable to work for about two years, during which time I was an outpatient in the mental health ward of Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, endured months of shock therapy, and checked myself into mental health emergency facilities several times. Pinball was a very important helping hand for me during this time. It was a cheap way to spend my time while unemployed, and was a tremendously effective distraction from my own mind. My focus on pinball during this time not only turned me into a pretty good player, but got me educated in the history of pinball, which made me become fascinated with the genius of Lyman Sheats.

My small, hobby pinball route certainly will not be accumulating tens of thousands of dollars for the cause. However, it’s something that I feel honoured to do at any rate. I am especially hoping it generates interest in local players of how magnificent a player, software designer and figure Lyman was, and to promote the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to anyone who plays my machines.

I want to send a special thanks to Penni Epstein for being so unabashedly open about Lyman’s condition so soon after we all received the horrible news. Her decisions have turned a tragedy into something I consider an eye-opening event for the pinball community which has the potential to help many people in need. I look forward to meeting you at PAPA, Penni.

Three locations:
Lou Dawg’s Southern BBQ
Gateway City Brewery
Bracebridge Hall.

Lou Dawg’s and Gateway are in North Bay, ON. Bracebridge Hall is in Bracebridge, ON.

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UK Open 2024 Details!

Posted By Josh Sharpe, on July 11, 2024

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Pinball Republic and the DOMINO organisation are pleased to announce UK Open 2024!

Hosted in the fabulous global City of London tickets are now available for sale!

Please visit www.ukopen.net to find out more details about the event and to secure your ticket

£5000 First prize for the UK Open Main Tournament, £1500 for first prize in the Ladies UK Open tournament.

UK Open Main, UK Open Classics and Pinball Republic Championship are all IFPA certified+ tournaments!

Come and play pinball with some of the greatest pinball players in the world!

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Your Pinball Sale Ends Today!! 4th July Savings 24 Hour Countdown

Posted By Josh Sharpe, on July 11, 2024

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PAPA 21 World Pinball Championships – Godfather LE pinball machine up for grabs courtesy of Jersey Jack Pinball!

Posted By Josh Sharpe, on July 03, 2024

Some additional incredible news about PAPA21/LFS Memorial for Suicide Awareness: We have received ANOTHER NIB pinball machine donation from our JJP Pinball Family, a Godfather LE to raffle off during the event in addition to the NIB Stern we are giving away!!! Yes, you read that correctly!

How this works, anyone who purchases a ticket to PAPA will be entered to win!! AND there is the option to solely purchase a raffle ticket to enter to win either of the two the games at $150. 100% of the raffle ticket entry fees will be donated to the #988 Suicide and Crisis Helpline!

There is the potential for the same person to win BOTH games; JJP and Stern. All depends on how the names come up on the spinning wheel!!

The winner of the JJP game will need to either pick up the game at their factory OR pay/arrange for shipping with JJP.

How incredible is this! Thank you JJP!!

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Pinball Republic and the DOMINO organisation are pleased to announce UK Open 2024!

Posted By Josh Sharpe, on July 03, 2024

sponsored blog post

Hosted in the fabulous global City of London tickets are now available for sale!

Please visit www.ukopen.net to find out more details about the event and to secure your ticket

£5000 First prize for the UK Open Main Tournament, £1500 for first prize in the Ladies UK Open tournament.

UK Open Main, UK Open Classics and Pinball Republic Championship are all IFPA certified+ tournaments!

Come and play pinball with some of the greatest pinball players in the world!

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Save the Date – NACS Day: January 18, 2025

Posted By Josh Sharpe, on July 01, 2024

We are excited to announce that all 2024-25 IFPA State/Provincial/District Championships will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025. Additional details will be provided when we get closer to the end of the season. Players are encouraged to reach out to their IFPA State/Provincial/District Representative for any questions regarding your specific Championship. Women’s NACS will be held the day after, Sunday, January 19, 2025.

Details for the IFPA North American Pinball Championship and IFPA Pin-Masters have been finalized, while the IFPA Women’s North American Pinball Championship and IFPA Women’s World Pinball Championship details will be announced soon:
2024-25 IFPA North American Pinball Championship –> Thursday, March 6th, 2025 (Rochester Pinball Collective in Rochester, NY)
2025 IFPA Pin-Masters: World Pin-Golf Championships –> Friday-Sunday, March 7th-9th, 2025 (Rochester Pinball Collective in Rochester, NY)
2024-25 IFPA Women’s North American Pinball Championship –> TBD
2025 IFPA Women’s World Pinball Championship –> TBD

Registration for IFPA Pin-Masters will be later this fall. Details for the event are available HERE. We will have a follow up announcement once the date of registration is announced.

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IFPA19 World Pinball Championship – WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Results!

Posted By Josh Sharpe, on June 09, 2024

The IFPA19 World Pinball Championship has begun. Follow along here!

BRACKET:
https://www.neverdrains.com/ifpa19/

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
Jason Zahler d. Arvid Flygare (5-3)
Jason won on Centaur, Bow & Arrow, Bad Girls, Scared Stiff, Godzilla
Arvid won on Car Hop, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, Tron

CONSOLATION FINAL
Johannes Ostermeier d. Escher Lefkoff (2-1)
Johannes won on Surf N Safari, Jaws
Escher won on Metallica

QUALIFYING STANDINGS:
https://app.matchplay.events/tournaments/146162

STREAM:
https://www.twitch.tv/iepinball

GAME LIST:
https://www.ifpapinball.com/ifpa19/games/

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IFPA19 World Pinball Championship – SEMIFINALS Results!

Posted By Josh Sharpe, on June 09, 2024

The IFPA19 World Pinball Championship has begun. Follow along here!

BRACKET:
https://www.neverdrains.com/ifpa19/

Arvid Flygare d. Johannes Ostermeier (4-1)
Arvid won on Joker Poker, Grand Lizard, Centaur, Scared Stiff
Johannes won on Bad Girls

Jason Zahler d. Escher Lefkoff (4-1)
Jason won on Scared Stiff, Bow & Arrow, Car Hop, Grand Lizard
Escher won on Medusa

QUALIFYING STANDINGS:
https://app.matchplay.events/tournaments/146162

STREAM:
https://www.twitch.tv/iepinball

GAME LIST:
https://www.ifpapinball.com/ifpa19/games/

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IFPA19 World Pinball Championship – QUARTERFINALS Results!

Posted By Josh Sharpe, on June 09, 2024

The IFPA19 World Pinball Championship has begun. Follow along here!

BRACKET:
https://www.neverdrains.com/ifpa19/

Johannes Ostermeier d. Matthew Richardson (5-3)
Johannes won on Joker Poker, Grand Lizard, High Speed, Scared Stiff, Jaws
Matthew won on Stargazer, Godzilla (Stern), Attack from Mars

Arvid Flygare d. Viggo Lowgren (5-4)
Arvid won on High Speed, Bad Girls, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, Godzilla (Stern), Ironman
Viggo won on Centaur, High Roller Casino, Hokus Pokus, Party Zone

Escher Lefkoff d. Zach McCarthy (4-0)
Escher won on Scared Stiff, Torpedo Alley, Grand Lizard, Godzilla (Stern)

Jason Zahler vs. Keith Elwin (4-2)
Jason won on Bow & Arrow, Car Hop, Scared Stiff, Tron
Keith won on Centaur, Bad Girls

QUALIFYING STANDINGS:
https://app.matchplay.events/tournaments/146162

STREAM:
https://www.twitch.tv/iepinball

GAME LIST:
https://www.ifpapinball.com/ifpa19/games/

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